clintoncommunitycouncil.org

Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon’s Weekly Newsletter

Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 5th week of 2026.

In the editorial for Wednesday’s paper, the Whidbey News Group editorial board referenced me as an example of transparency in government. So I feel compelled to make a comment about the obligations of public officials under the Open Public Meetings Act. All governing bodies of public agencies, governing bodies of subagencies, and certain committees of governing bodies that act on behalf of governing bodies, are required to comply with the OPMA. All members of governing bodies must complete OPMA training within 90 days of taking the oath of office or assuming duties, and are required to take refresher OPMA training every four years. I urge every elected official or board member who is uncertain whether or not OPMA applies to them to review the OPMA information available on the MRSC website, https://mrsc.org/. The Washington State Attorney General’s office provides virtual OPMA training: https://youtu.be/8oWgEMG4dG0?si=ByG9CsmUm5vbUoYY. For more OPMA information from the AG: https://www.atg.wa.gov/open-government-training. The State Auditor’s office also provides helpful information including an OPMA Guide that details which local agency bodies are subject to the OPMA: https://sao.wa.gov/the-audit-connection-blog/new-opma-materials-help-local-governments-navigate-recent-changes.

Writing this has been a good reminder for me: I need to do my refresher training.

  • Regular Session, Tuesday January 26.  This is the agenda and recording for Tuesday’s meeting:https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/a0f9ff34-e5d5-4ca3-bd04-a3ea2c477317.
    • The meeting was held at the Camano Annex and the Board did not take any actions (we cannot legally vote on anything outside of our County seat, which is in Coupeville).
    • There was no general public comment.
    • We held part 1 of our Speed Study Public Hearing, which we expect to conclude at next Tuesday’s board meeting. There are two ways that I expect the Commissioners will act contrary to the speed study recommendations we received from the traffic engineering consultants: (1) I expect that we will vote to make 45 mph the maximum speed allowed on County roads, and (2) I expect that we will not raise the speed limits on any County roads despite the recommendation to do so in some cases.
    • The next Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, back in Coupeville. The agenda for that meeting is available here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/2ce6eda7-28db-4fa6-ba6a-a77b3c31c974. On that agenda: the continuation of the Speed Study public hearing.
  • Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during board meetings beginning at 10 am, unless otherwise noted):
    • Tuesday February 3:  Part 2 of Speed Study Public Hearing. Note: the engineering recommendation documents currently available on the Speed Study can be found here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/878/Speed-Limit-Study. Please see my comments above on two ways I anticipate that the Board will act contrary to these recommendations.
    • Tuesday March 10:    Mabana Shores Franchise
    • Tuesday March 10:    Mutiny Sands Franchise
    • Tuesday March 10:    Jordan Acres Franchise
    • Tuesday March 10:    Passage Way Franchise
    • Tuesday March 17:    Driftwood Shores Franchise
    • Tuesday March 17:    Ledgewood Beach Franchise
    • Tuesday March 17:    Camano Vista Franchise
    • Thursday March 19 at 1 pm:   Joint public hearing with the Oak Harbor City Council regarding annexation into the UGA
  • Work Session. The next Work Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners will be held on Wednesday, February 4. This is the agenda: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02042026-1114. On that agenda: discussion about the WSU Extension Island County 4-H Program; certification of the road levy & estimated revenue produced; Coupeville, Oak Harbor and Langley solid waste agreements; discussion on whether to incorporate the development of a management plan for Deer Lagoon Preserve into the goals for the Parks element of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update; Jul 2024 – Dec 2025 CEDS Monitoring Report & CEDS Project List 2025 Proposed Update; 2045 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update – Economic Development and Clinton Subarea Plan; Interlocal Agreement with City of Oak Harbor on Annexation Areas.
  • The Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization (IRTPO) and Island Local Integrating Organization (ILIO) both met on Wednesday, January 28.
  • On Wednesday afternoon the Board of Island County Commissioners held a Special Session with the Mayors of Oak Harbor, Langley, and Coupeville, and the Island County Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney, to discuss our concerns as local public leaders about ICE. This is the recording of that 45-minute meeting: https://islandcountywa.gov/…/01292026-Special-Session…. To summarize: the Sheriff will not assist ICE or border patrol, but his officers cannot interfere in activities of federal agencies. They can, however, witness. So this is what you should do if ICE shows up: (1) do not fight with them; your safety is paramount. (2) call 911 so the Sheriff or local police will show up to witness the agents—and perhaps interact with them on your behalf. (3) Pull out your phone and record what’s going on.
  • Planning Commission and the Comprehensive Plan Update
    • 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. The Planning Commission usually meets at 6 pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the Commissioners Hearing Room in Coupeville.
    • IMPORTANT: the current drafts of the Comprehensive Plan elements have been released. We are asking for public comment through February 9th. You can find those elements here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/209/Comprehensive-Plan.
    • Long Range Planning will meet with the Board and the Planning Commission to discuss the Economic Development and Clinton Subarea Plan elements on February 4, during their regular meeting times in the Commissioners Hearing Room in Coupeville. The public is encouraged to attend.
    • Also: on February 11 at 1 pm the Board of County Commissioners and the Planning Commission will hold a joint meeting to take a first review of the Comp Plan draft after all public comments have been noted.
  • Island Transit will hold its monthly Executive Board meeting next Friday, February 6,  at 9:30 am. You will be able to access the agenda here: https://www.islandtransit.org/Agendas-and-Minutes.
  • I will be with family on Monday, February 2nd so not available to meet with anyone. I will next meet with interested citizens at the WiFire Community Space in Freeland at 3 pm on Monday, February 9th.

Melanie

January is “Walk Your Pet” month, which is not something I need to remind Island County citizens to do.

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went.” ~ Will Rogers