tCouncil to decide

on $5-$10 hike in parcel fee

While the economy may be traveling south in a hurry, there’s no shortage of noxious weeds headed San Juan County’s way.

And it’s a constant battle to contain or eliminate those that are already here.

That’s according to members of the county Noxious Weed Control Board, who last week took another swing at convincing the County Council of the pressing need for a $5-$10 boost in its countywide parcel fee.

The council will decide on that increase at an Oct. 14 public hearing, beginning at 1 p.m.

Enacted six years ago, the annual $5 fee (or slightly more for parcels of 50 acres or more) generated about $73,000 in its inaugural year. A year ago, it produced $75,750 in revenue, a net increase of less than four percent over that five-year period.

Weed board Chairwoman Amanda Azous said the program, as is, cannot survive on a fixed-income of that amount. She said revenue collected through the fee has been outpaced by the steady uptick in expenses, such as fuel costs, equipment repairs and cost-of-living increases that two part-time employees are afforded via negotiated labor contracts.

She also noted the support islanders have shown in the past for controlling the spread of noxious weeds. That support led to the creation of the weed board a dozen years ago and, more recently, prompted the $5 fee, which was implemented only after it was approved by local voters in an advisory ballot.

“The public has been behind us in both the steps of getting the weed board established and in its funding,” Azous said.

Still, she fears what’s evolved into a well-received, effective program of prevention, education and, in some cases, eradication, would need to be downsized without an influx of new revenue.

According to Azous, the increase would generate roughly $110,000 a year and keep the program fully staffed and adequately funded through 2013. She said 64 percent of all property owners would still pay less than $12.16 a year, and that 84 percent, including those in Friday Harbor, would pay less than $16.21.

Several council members last week signaled support for the fee bump. Councilman Alan Lichter, Orcas West, noted the program’s success can be attributed, in part, to part-time employees who put in extra hours without pay.

“I think it’s time for our county to step up to our responsibilities, and to pay our professionals,” Lichter said.

Meanwhile, Councilman Kevin Ranker, San Juan South, said he favors the increase if land owners are better informed of how to contest a notice of noxious weeds identified on their property as well as the state’s list of noxious weeds and the threat level that each may pose.

Counties are required by the state to either combat, control or eradicate noxious weeds depending on the threat of a particular weed. Those on the A list, like giant hogweed, purple starthistle and two types of knapweed, are required to be eradicated while Class B types, such as scotch broom and tansy ragwort, must be contained.

Forests, farms meadows and open spaces are at greatest risks from noxious weeds, which, according to William Agosta, weed board vice-chariman, have an ability to proliferate like an unchecked population of rabbits. He said maintaining the “aesthetic value” of the islands’ landscape and the integrity of local farmland provides economic benefits that should not be overlooked.

“Weeds are not a static problem, they’re a biological problem,” Agosta said. “They reproduce exponentially.”