Submitted by San Juan County.
At the beginning of every year, the San Juan County Council attends a multi-day retreat where they review programs and services, bring forth goals and ideas, and set priorities for the year. The 2024 Council retreat was held on January 22 and 23 and can be viewed online in the Civic Clerk Portal. During the Tuesday, July 9 meeting, the Council conducted a mid-year review of the priorities established at the beginning of the year.
This mid-year review does not capture the breadth of services and programs delivered by the county — only the initiatives discussed during the Council retreat. San Juan County provides everything from dog licenses to vaccines, camping reservations to burn permits, law enforcement services to chip-sealing roads, and much more.
Led by Interim County Manager Mark Tompkins, the mid-year review focused on a variety of topics including the biennial budget, facility improvements and updates, communications initiatives, contracts of note, Comprehensive Plan updates, and other key initiatives. See a short summary below. It can be viewed in full here, https://sanjuancowa.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2621/media.
Council Business
The council-specific business included reviewing the 2024 committee assignments and 2024 council meeting calendar. Council members continue to represent San Juan County at the National Association of Counties and the Washington State Association of Counties by participating in regional projects and attending meetings and conferences. Council also continues to update sections of the County code with the assistance of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Biennial Budget
Council reviewed the timelines, observations, and concerns regarding the biennial budget. The County’s budget team will continue to monitor the accounts and present updates to council. All outstanding 2024 decision packages were reviewed during the first Amendment process in April with the second Amendment currently in progress. Since the beginning of the year, the Auditor’s Office conducted budget training for staff.
Policy and Plan Implementation Framework
New Policy and Plan Implementation Framework was approved at the beginning of the year and has since been implemented for ongoing projects such as the Climate Element Policy and the Tribal Engagement Policy. An internal review of Tribal Engagement framework is underway, with the work building off the County’s Tribal Training conducted in February. Presented by the Whitner Group, the training was attended by 40 county staff members and several partner organizations.
Communications
Ongoing communication efforts include a county-wide survey and resident interviews, a review of the Social Media Policy, and the development of a Language Access Program to increase the County’s accessibility to the non-English speaking community. To that effort, the county has established Spanish-only social media accounts and a news flash distribution list, is integrating translation software into the website, and developing county-wide translation standards.
Human Resources
The department completed a six-month review of the 32-Hour Work Week Initiative, successfully recruited and hired a new County Manager, and implemented a new software to post job openings and guide applicants through the interview process. The department also developed an Equal Employment Opportunity Plan that was adopted in June. The department is currently working on a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Initiative and continuing to work on collective bargaining agreements.
Facilities
The County completed the sale of the Public Works facility on Spring Street, is finalizing the sale of the Orcas Senior Center, and purchased the former Banner Bank building and a piece of property on Shaw Island. Other facilities projects under review include the Public Works shop on Lopez Island, the possible creation of a Justice and Public Safety building and an Administration building in Friday Harbor, and a Lopez Island Sheriff Substation.
Land Bank
The department adopted a strategic plan in April and is developing a subsequent communications plan. The Conservation Land Bank continues to publish press releases, engage followers on social media, publish an annual report, host public events (including guided tours, volunteer work parties and interpretive walks, and more). The department is looking forward to opening several new preserves to the public later this year.
Contracts of Note
Council reviewed the status of key contracts including the Solid Waste lease agreements on San Juan and Lopez Islands and the Visitor’s Bureau contract, which has been discussed during the June 11 and July 8 Council meetings with a third discussion anticipated in August.
