The Board has only one short meeting next week plus Round Table (an internal County monthly meeting of all of the department heads and elected officials), both of which I will miss because I’m taking the week off. I will not publish this newsletter next Friday.

• The Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners was held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026; video recording here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/ae3e004c-0bdf-4a40-bfc0-de4616787ce3.
  • Six citizens offered public comment: Deer Lake HOA wants code changes; the Mutiny Bay Homeowners want shoreline protection for their homes; a Camano neighborhood has ditch and drainage concerns; and one citizen expressed support for a housing project in Langley.
  • We held a public hearing to approve the final amendment to the 2025 Budget (my apologies—I thought we were doing an amendment this week to the 2026 Budget; we’ve talked about both lately).  Additional revenues were received to offset additional expenses. Mark 00:21:14 in the video recording.
  • Our second public hearing was somewhat similar—we’ve been talking recently about both last year’s Six-Year Capital Improvement and Clean Water Utility Program (CIP), and this year’s 6-year CIP; this public hearing was to amend last year’s CIP which includes 2026. (We will approve this year’s CIP for the next 6 years in a couple of months). Anyway…this was an interesting conversation because we discussed two different but equally important and very expensive projects, the Robinson Beach boat ramp and the Cornet Bay Dock. The amendment to last year’s CIP covering 2026 was approved on a 2-to-1 vote. Mark 00:36:43 in the video recording.
  • The agenda for the Tuesday April 28 meeting is here:  https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/d3d6a5af-2789-476a-a5c2-95b7e927ddbe. On that agenda: the two franchise public hearings shown below.

• Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during board meetings, beginning at 10 am, unless otherwise noted):
  • Tuesday, April 28:       Linkatoon Franchise  
  • Tuesday, April 28:       Brentwood Franchise  
  • Tuesday, May 5:         St. Peter Franchise  
  • Tuesday, May 5:         Hellum Franchise  
  • Tuesday, May 12:       Curbside Recycling
  • Tuesday, May 19:       Procurement   
  • Tuesday, May 19:       Amending Record of Proceedings code
  • Tuesday, June 2:        SE Camano Franchise
  • Tuesday, June 2:        Olympic Marine Franchise
  • Tuesday, June 2:        Higgins Franchise
  • Tuesday, June 9:        Private/commercial dog kennels
  • Tuesday, June 9:        Potentially dangerous dogs
• There will be no Work Session next week. The next BOCC work session will occur on Wednesday, May 6; the agenda for that meeting will be posted by Friday, May 1 here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter.
• On Wednesday April 22 the Council of Governments (COG), Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization (IRTPO) and Island Local Integrating Organization (ILIO) met.
  • COG (9 am) agenda: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04222026-1158. Recording: islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13973/04222026-COG-Audio-MP3. Senator Ron Muzzall, Representative Dave Paul, and Representative Clyde Shavers provided a legislative after-session update. Topics discussed were revenue and balanced budget; Medicaid; tort reform; ferries; Mosquito Fleet Bill; millionaire’s tax; and unfunded mandates. Next month John Vezina from Washington State Ferries will answer COG questions.
  • IRTPO (10 am) agenda: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04222026-1159. Recording: islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13984/04222026-IRTPO-Audio-MP3. We went over STBG programming (State transportation block grant) and discussed the rollout of the HSTP (Human Services Transportation Plan).
  • ILIO (11 am) agenda: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04222026-1156. Recording not uploaded yet, but should be available soon here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter. We spent a lot of time talking about septic failure response. Also, the County’s very popular onsite septic inspection incentive program ran out of vouchers already this year–but Puget Sound Partnership has granted us $20,000 to reopen the program. See https://www.islandcountywa.gov/685/Financial-Assistance for more information. I know the website says today that “we are not accepting new applications for the Inspection Incentive Program at this time” but they will be taking that language down soon. The great thing about this program is, you don’t have to show financial need to apply—you just have to have a home septic system in Island County that needs to be inspected.
• Wednesday I also attended meetings of the Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) and the Fair Advisory Committee (FAC). You can see why that gets a little confusing in my calendar.
  • At the Fair Advisory Committee we heard that all is going well with preparations for the Whidbey Island Fair in July (including new restrooms). To keep up with Fair news, go to their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/WhidbeyIslandFair.
  • Representative Clyde Shavers met with the joint Ferry Advisory Committees for the Coupeville and Clinton ferries to tell us about the 2025 and 2026 ferry issues in the legislature, and what he sees coming in the future. In 2025, the focus was on ferry growth and expansion (how to get more ferries and increase the workforce). In 2026 they focused on preservation of the existing fleet and educating kids to consider maritime careers. Future issues: 2030 – 2035 will be a critical time for boat replacement. Electrification/hybridization vs diesel continues to be a big topic; as well as where the ferries will be built. If you’re interested in serving on one of the ferry advisory committees, just let me know.
• Representative Shavers will also be joining Whidbey Climate Action for their Island Conversations series on Thursday May 7, 2026 at St. Hubert’s Community Room, 804-3rd St, Langley, 5:45 pm – 8 pm, on the topic “Corporate and Dark Money Keep Corruption in Power”. Rep. Shavers will be discussing a new bill in Washington State intended to address this issue.
• Most of the changes we made to the County speed limits this year have been well-received by the public. The one exception is the Bayview/Brooks Hill Road change, from fluctuating 25 – 40 mph, to 30 mph through the entire 3.6 mile road. Some citizens thank us for this change, but most of the comments we hear are from people who want us to change it back. As I’ve said here before, I personally have a difficult time driving below 35 on that road. BUT: I will not support changing it back. We made the decision to lower the speed limit because of Engineering recommendations. One reason the Engineering firm made that recommendation was because that road had 43 crashes over 6 years.
• In my last newsletter I mentioned that the Board was authorizing $1 Million to give to Island Roots Housing to buy property in Coupeville for an affordable housing project that will create at least 80 units. A citizen at my last Monday meeting asked where that $1 Million came from. You may recall that a few years ago the Board increased sales taxes by 1/10^th of 1% (10 cents on every $100 spent) for an affordable housing fund. We have been using that money to assist with increasing our County’s affordable housing inventory—such as this Coupeville housing project.
• Planning Commission and the Comprehensive Plan Update:   We are finally nearing the end of the Planning Commission’s involvement in development of the Comp Plan. This is a link to the Planning Commission page:  https://www.islandcountywa.gov/235/Planning-Commission. You can find details on their meetings and minutes, including Zoom info, here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/Planning-Commission-4. The agendas are published at least a week in advance. They intend to hold three Planning Commission meetings in May as shown below, in the Commissioners Board Room in Coupeville:
  • Wednesday April 29 – Final draft Comp Plan published for Planning Commission review, here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/209/Comprehensive-Plan.
  • Wednesday May 13 – Workshop @ 6 PM (this replaces the usual first-Wednesday meeting in order to give the Planning Commission and public sufficient time to review the final draft Comp Plan)
  • Wednesday May 20 – Public Hearing @ 6 PM
  • Wednesday May 27 – Public Hearing @ 6 PM

• The Whidbey Institute is an in-kind sponsor of the Global Earth Repair Convergence, taking place in Port Townsend from May 7^th to 11^th at the historic Fort Warden campus. Do you have a profound appreciation for the earth, your neighbors, and your community? Are you eager to be inspired by fresh knowledge, truths, and empowerment? This convergence is your chance to connect with like-minded individuals passionate about healing and nurturing our world. Expect an abundance of skill-sharing, networking, and meaningful connections throughout the event.
  • The Whidbey Institute is offering a special $50 day pass promotion for Whidbey Island residents. To purchase tickets, select the “locals” day pass option. If you wish to extend your stay and fully immerse yourself in the event, consider the $150 discounted weekend pass. Please note that meals and lodging are not included in the discounted price.
  • For those traveling from Whidbey Island, WI encourages you to connect with others making the journey across the water. Please reach out to Madisun, madisun@whidbeyinstitute.org, to find carpooling partners.
  • If you’re inspired to donate, volunteer, display an exhibit, or be involved in any other way, contact Madisun for guidance.
  • Online-only tickets are also available if you want to participate from home. Visit the official website to learn more and secure your tickets today: Global Earth Repair Convergence.
• Island Transit news: Long Range (20-year) Transit Plan. Island Transit Roadmap 2047, https://www.islandtransit.org/roadmap-to-2047.
  • Island Transit is developing its Long Range Transit Plan and wants you to fill out their survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LongRangePlanEnglish. As part of this planning process, Island Transit needs your input at the following public presentations
  • Langley. Monday, April 27 from 4 – 6 pm at the Langley Library.
  • Coupeville. Tuesday, April 28 from 4 – 6 pm at the Coupeville Library.
  • Camano Island. Wednesday, May 6 from 11 am – 1 pm at the Camano Center.
  • Oak Harbor. Thursday, May 7 from 11 am – 1 pm at the Center.
• Island Senior Resources news: https://senior-resources.org/.
  • Meet Me @ is a brand-new series of casual, connection-focused events designed for caregivers and the people they support. The first event, Meet Me @ Meerkerk, invites participants to enjoy a leisurely stroll through Meerkerk Gardens followed by a bring-your-own picnic lunch. Friday, May 1, 11 am at Meerkerk Gardens.
• I will be out of town this next Monday, April 27. I will meet with interested citizens at the WiFire Community Space in Freeland at 3 pm on Monday May 4.

Melanie

“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”   ~ Warren Buffett

https://clintoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DRAFT-Clinton-Subarea-Plan-2025.pdf

 We’d love to meet you! We’re currently looking to fill an At-large position on our Board.

We’re a thirteen-member organization formed to advocate for the needs of the Clinton Community. We work with county and state government as well as other entities. The Council is comprised of seven (7) local organization representatives and six (6) at-large members.

We’re especially looking for community members with an interest or experience in social media or government advocacy.

Membership on the Community Council is open to:

• Residents of Clinton (98236 zip code)
• Property owners in Clinton
• Business owners in Clinton

As a Council member, you’ll have the opportunity to advocate for local issues and projects that expand and improve community conditions.

👉 If you’d like to actively represent Clinton on the Council, please click the link below to complete our Board Member Interest Form.

Clinton Community Council Board Interest Form At-Large Position

For more information about the Council, email us at: info@clintoncommunitycouncil.org