Jefferson County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

County board to weigh $8.6M bridge, $1M lodging tax at Aug. 24 meeting

Jefferson County commissioners are set to consider a $8,623,611 bridge replacement amendment and a $1,004,000 lodging tax funding request at their Aug. 24 meeting. Over the past two weeks, county boards and committees met on flood projects, mental health services, budget reviews, and more, but minutes from those sessions have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

Board of County Commissioners

The board held four meetings in the past two weeks, all with agendas but no published minutes.

At the Aug. 10 regular meeting, the consent agenda included a $9,900 agreement for Lower Dosewallips Flood Project facilitation, a $231,820 agreement for Rocky Brook Final Design, a $22,200 agreement for school-based mental health services in Chimacum, and a change order for the Oil City Road culvert replacement at MP 0.5. Payroll warrants totaled $2,625,132.15. The board also held workshops on a repetitive use build program and 2027 budget guidelines, discussed behavioral health advisory committee funding, and entered an executive session on potential litigation.

On Aug. 13, a special meeting was scheduled to consider a resolution authorizing the Treasury to issue a single certificate of delinquency under RCW 84.64.050.

On Aug. 14, the board met jointly with the Planning Commission to review the past year's work, discuss potential amendments to the Unified Development Code, and plan 2026-2027 projects. Public comment was taken.

At the Aug. 17 regular meeting, the board approved a resolution for 2027 road fund ER&R rental rates, a $10,000 agreement with the Jefferson County Conservation District, a $5,000 agreement with Bayside Housing and Services for emergency shelter, and payroll and accounts payable warrants of $190,570.44 and $879,185.82. The board also received a second-quarter county income report from the state Department of Natural Resources and held an executive session.

Other boards and committees

The Behavioral Health Advisory Committee met Aug. 11 to discuss funding for mental health and opioid settlement funds, hear vendor presentations from Recovery Cafe (Brian Richardson) and OWL360 (Kelli Parcher), and consider bylaws updates.

The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board met Aug. 13 to discuss recruiting members to reach nine, volunteer outreach, trails, and the results of Proposition One and its funding implications.

The Tourism Coordinating Council and the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee held joint meetings Aug. 18 to set priorities for lodging tax funds, review pre-RFP funding considerations, and plan the RFP budget, process, timeline, and scorecard.

The Budget Committee met Aug. 19 to review expenditure and revenue reports and approve July 15 minutes.

The Board of Health met Aug. 20 to review the Local Sewage Management Plan, hear presentations for three YCCTPP mini grants (OWL360, Scouting America, JeffCo Soccer Club), and discuss supports for children with autism.

The Chimacum Drainage District met Aug. 20 to discuss its budget schedule, 2028 voting calendar, and priority projects including beaver dams and creek patrols.

The Intergovernmental Collaborative Group met Aug. 20 to workshop an economic development framework, review vision statements, and receive jurisdiction updates.

Coming up

The Board of Commissioners meets Aug. 24 to consider a $8,623,611 amendment for the Little Quilcene River Bridge replacement, a $395,000 agreement for the East Dabob Bay acquisition, a public hearing on a Repetitive Use Build Program for affordable housing, and a $1,004,000 lodging tax funding RFP. The board will also approve signature authority for an MOU with the City of Port Townsend for the Mill Road Lift Station.

The Civil Service Commission meets Aug. 25 to review sergeant promotional exam results and approve eligibility lists.

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meets Aug. 28 to discuss an internal RFP for a Destination Marketing position and budget, and the RFP budget, process, timeline, and scorecard.

Jefferson County boards weigh $1.8M contracts, levy lift; tourism and budget talks ahead

Jefferson County officials are set to consider a $1.8 million package of contracts and a property-tax levy lid lift this week, while several advisory boards review tourism funding, road claims, and behavioral health services. None of the recent meetings have published minutes yet, so no final decisions are recorded.

County commissioners: contracts, levy lift, and budget

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Aug. 3 with a consent agenda that included a levy lid lift resolution and $1.8 million in contracts: election tabulation software license and hardware maintenance for $156,225.50 over three years with Election Systems & Software LLC; consumer support services for $737,125 with Cascade Community Connections; Phase 4 NWSWB on-site grinder pump installation for $796,634.40 with Russ Construction LLC; and authorization of a 2027 Lodging Tax Funding RFP for $1,004,000.

On Aug. 10, the BOCC agenda included agreements for Lower Dosewallips Flood Project facilitation ($9,900), Rocky Brook Final Design ($231,820), school-based mental health services in Chimacum ($22,200), a change order for Oil City Road culvert replacement, and payroll warrants totaling $2,625,132.15.

A special BOCC meeting on Aug. 13 considered a resolution authorizing the Treasury to issue a single certificate of delinquency under RCW 84.64.050. On Aug. 14, the BOCC and Planning Commission held a joint meeting to discuss Unified Development Code amendments and the 2026-2027 work plan.

Tourism and lodging tax

The Tourism Coordinating Council and Lodging Tax Advisory Committee met jointly on Aug. 4 to discuss a draft destination marketing budget, Hood Canal Bridge sign maintenance, and scheduling a joint meeting with the BOCC. A follow-up joint meeting is scheduled for Aug. 18 to set lodging tax priorities, pre-RFP funding considerations (administration, sign maintenance, Parks & Recreation, infrastructure, destination marketing, visitor information services), and the RFP budget, process, timeline, and scorecard.

Risk management claims

The Risk Management Committee on Aug. 4 considered two new claims: C-06-26 for $1,513.51 (vehicle damage from a search warrant execution) and C-07-26 for $10,614.12 (vehicle paint damage from a county road mower). The committee also held an executive session on potential litigation.

Other boards

The Public Infrastructure Fund Board on Aug. 5 discussed renewing Economic Development Council funding for 2027-2028 at $115,500 and reviewed potential RFPs for 2027 projects. The Chimacum Drainage District held a special meeting on Aug. 6 to approve grants from the Jefferson County Conservation District, discuss priority projects, and set a budget meeting schedule.

The Behavioral Health Advisory Committee on Aug. 11 heard funding updates for Fund 131 (1/10th of 1% sales tax) and Fund 132 (Opioid Settlement Funds), received RFP status reports, and heard vendor presentations from Recovery Cafe and OWL360. The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board on Aug. 13 discussed Proposition One ballot results and funding implications, member recruitment, volunteer outreach, and trail initiatives.

Coming up

• **Aug. 17** – BOCC regular meeting: road fund rental rates, agreements with Jefferson County Conservation District ($10,000) and Bayside Housing and Services ($5,000), payroll warrants, and a DNR income report.
• **Aug. 18** – Joint LTAC/TCC/BOCC meeting on lodging tax priorities and RFP process.
• **Aug. 19** – Budget Committee meeting to review expenditure and revenue reports.
• **Aug. 20** – Intergovernmental Collaborative Group workshop on economic development framework.
• **Aug. 20** – Board of Health: sewage management plan update, mini grant presentations, and autism supports discussion.

Jefferson County weighs $1M housing grant, $1.8M contracts; no decisions recorded

Jefferson County officials this week considered a nearly $1 million grant for workforce housing, a $1.8 million package of contracts, and a levy lid lift, but no minutes have been published for any of the meetings, so no decisions are confirmed. The county board also reviewed claims for vehicle damage and discussed tourism funding.

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners met twice in the past week. At its July 27 meeting, the consent agenda included a $999,576.35 subrecipient agreement for the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) for Mason Street Workforce Housing, to be awarded to Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County. Also on the agenda was a $870,833.34 police services agreement with the Hoh Tribe for the Sheriff's Office, a $250,000 grant from the Washington Department of Ecology for Lower Dosewallips Flood Hazard Reduction, and an amendment adding $261,662 for right-of-way costs on the Little Quilcene River Bridge replacement. The board also held a public hearing on 2026 Conservation Futures funding applications.

At its August 3 meeting, the board considered a levy lid lift resolution and a consent agenda totaling about $1.8 million. This included $156,225.50 over three years for election tabulation software and hardware maintenance from Election Systems & Software LLC, $737,125 for consumer support services from Cascade Community Connections, and $796,634.40 for Phase 4 of the NWSWB on-site grinder pump installation by Russ Construction LLC. The board also authorized a 2027 Lodging Tax Funding RFP in the amount of $1,004,000.

Finance and Risk

The Finance Committee and the board held a joint meeting on July 27 to discuss the Treasurer's Report for the second quarter of 2026, covering county and district debt and investments. No action was recorded.

The Risk Management Committee met on August 4 to consider two new claims: $1,513.51 from Chance Wilson for vehicle damage during a search warrant execution, and $10,614.12 from Jessyca Barker for vehicle paint damage from a county road mower. The committee also held an executive session on potential litigation.

Tourism and Infrastructure

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and the Tourism Coordinating Council met jointly on August 4 to discuss a draft destination marketing budget and an update on Hood Canal Bridge sign maintenance. They also considered scheduling a joint meeting with the Board of Commissioners to align tourism priorities.

The Public Infrastructure Fund Board met on August 5 to discuss renewing Economic Development Council funding for calendar years 2027-2028 at $115,500, and to review potential funds for 2027 projects.

The Chimacum Drainage District held a special meeting on August 6 to approve grants dispersed by the Jefferson County Conservation District, discuss priority projects, and set a budget meeting schedule.

Coming up

The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board will meet on August 13 to discuss recruiting members to restore the board to nine, review Proposition One ballot results and their implications for park funding, and receive a manager report on parks projects and programs. The meeting is open to the public.

Jefferson County boards weighed housing, police, and road contracts; levy lid lift vote set for Aug. 3

Jefferson County's advisory boards and commissioners had a full slate of meetings the week of July 20–27, with agendas covering workforce housing grants, tribal police services, road markings, and tourism funding. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so outcomes listed below reflect what was scheduled for consideration, not confirmed decisions.

Board of County Commissioners — July 20

The BOCC consent agenda included a $201,775 pavement marking contract with Specialized Pavement Marking LLC for 2026–2027 road work, and a $5,742.98 agreement with Peninsula Trails Coalition for ADA seating at the Larry Scott Trail. An amendment to the Brinnon Reach Assessment and Conceptual Design project would add $77,000, bringing the total to $295,428, through the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

The regular agenda scheduled a public hearing on Open Space Tax Program Application CUA2025-00001 from Jefferson Land Trust, a parcel inventory mapping workshop, and a workshop on 2027 provisional budget goals. Executive sessions were listed for employee performance and potential litigation.

Board of County Commissioners — July 27

The largest dollar items of the week appeared on the July 27 BOCC agenda. A subrecipient agreement would direct $999,576.35 from the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) to Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County for Mason Street Workforce Housing. A police services agreement with the Hoh Tribe totaled $870,833.34 over 38 months through the Sheriff's Office.

Other consent items included a $250,000 Lower Dosewallips Flood Hazard Reduction grant from the Washington Department of Ecology, and Amendment No. 2 for the Little Quilcene River Bridge replacement adding $261,662 for right-of-way costs. A public hearing on 2026 Conservation Futures funding applications was also scheduled.

A joint BOCC/Finance Committee meeting the same day was set to discuss the Treasurer's Report for the second quarter of 2026, covering county and district debt and investments.

Lodging Tax Advisory Committee — July 21 and 24

LTAC met twice during the week. The July 21 agenda listed discussion and potential action on maintenance costs for the Hood Canal Bridge roundabout sign, plus LTAC presentations. The July 24 meeting added discussion of the 2027 funding process, priorities, an RFP draft, and a score card, along with the 2027 LTAC timeline.

Housing Fund Board — July 22

The Housing Fund Board agenda included discussion and potential action on RFP funding priorities and the 2027 RFP application and timeline, an update on the Continuum of Care designation, a review of 5-Year Plan assignments, and a Finance Committee report.

Chimacum Drainage District — July 23

The CDD special meeting agenda covered approval of June 25, 2026 special meeting minutes, a financial resolution, next steps for budget approval including newspaper publication, and priority projects.

Coming up

Aug. 3 — BOCC: Commissioners are scheduled to vote on a levy lid lift resolution and roughly $1.8 million in contracts, including $796,634.40 to Russ Construction LLC for Phase 4 NWSWB on-site grinder pump installation, $737,125 to Cascade Community Connections for consumer support services through Public Health, and $156,225.50 over three years to Election Systems & Software LLC for election tabulation software. The agenda also includes authorization of a 2027 Lodging Tax Funding RFP in the amount of $1,004,000.

Aug. 4 — Risk Management Committee: Two new claims are on the agenda — Claim C-06-26 from Chance Wilson for $1,513.51 for vehicle damage during a search warrant execution, and Claim C-07-26 from Jessyca Barker for $10,614.12 for vehicle paint damage from a county road mower. An executive session on potential litigation is scheduled under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i).

Aug. 4 — LTAC/TCC joint meeting: The two tourism bodies will discuss a draft destination marketing budget, Hood Canal Bridge sign maintenance, and scheduling a joint meeting with the BOCC.

Aug. 5 — Public Infrastructure Fund Board: Discussion of renewing Economic Development Council funding for 2027–2028 at $115,500, plus a review of PIF funds and a potential 2027 projects RFP.

Aug. 6 — Chimacum Drainage District: Special meeting on grants dispersed by the Jefferson County Conservation District, priority projects, and budget scheduling.

Aug. 13 — Parks & Recreation Advisory Board: Discussion of Proposition One ballot results and funding implications, plus recruitment to restore the board to nine members.

Jefferson County boards set packed agendas; minutes not yet published for recent meetings

Jefferson County's advisory bodies and the Board of County Commissioners scheduled a heavy round of meetings in the first half of July, covering contracts worth millions, a comprehensive plan update, behavioral health funding recommendations, and budget workshops. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so outcomes listed below reflect agenda items and cannot be confirmed as final decisions.

Board of County Commissioners

The BOCC met July 6 with a consent agenda containing 31 agreements. Listed items included a $285,000 agreement for the Jefferson Timber Cooperative Project (Public Infrastructure Fund), a $10,000 agreement for Economic Development services, a $6,500 contract for Phase 4 grinder pump installation, and an amendment to a mental health prevention program listed at $11,563. The agenda also included approval of payroll warrants totaling $2,516,876.39, a public hearing on the second-quarter budget, and a workshop on federal grant rules. The meeting headline referenced contracts totaling over $11 million; the itemized agenda did not break out a single agreement at that figure.

On July 13, the BOCC agenda included deliberation on the 2025–2045 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and associated UDC amendments. Other listed items were accounts payable warrants dated July 6, 2026, for $1,225,985.01; a $90,645 amendment to the On-Site Sewage Action Plan with Puget Sound Partnership; public health agreements for a remote dietitian ($31,200) and school-based mental health services for Quilcene and Port Townsend districts ($22,200 each); reappointment of Karin Nyrop and Susie Marshall to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; and discussion of the county response to the Mill Road encampment.

Risk Management Committee

The committee met July 7 to approve minutes from its June 2, 2026, meeting, followed by an executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to review actual and potential litigation. No new or old business items were scheduled. Public comment was listed before and after the executive session.

Tourism and Lodging Tax Bodies

The Tourism Coordinating Council and Lodging Tax Advisory Committee held a joint meeting July 7. Agenda items included potential action on Hood Canal Bridge sign maintenance and upkeep, a proposal to fund designated marketing via LTAC, and discussion of an RFP for a position.

LTAC met separately July 8 to approve special meeting minutes from five 2025 dates (September 30, October 3, October 28, November 7, and November 26) and to discuss the 2027 funding process, funding priorities, RFP, and timeline. Public comment was scheduled before and after each discussion.

Ferry Advisory Committee

The committee met July 8 to receive an update from Washington State Ferries staff and discuss transit connections, road work affecting terminal traffic, and tourism. Approval of May 13, 2026, minutes was also on the agenda.

Local Emergency Planning Committee

The LEPC met July 8 with an agenda to elect six voting board members to two-year terms: Timothy McKern, Andrew Stockton, Apple Martine, Thomas Olson, Tim Callister, and Bret Black. The committee was also scheduled to receive a Washington Department of Ecology spill report on the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, Response Program and approve April 8, 2026, minutes.

Behavioral Health Advisory Committee

BHAC held a special meeting July 14 to approve June 9, 2026, minutes, hear public comment, and review the 1/10th of 1% RFP outcomes for contract years 2027–28. The agenda called for formulating a recommendation to the BOCC on funding rankings and subcommittee decision strategies.

Budget Committee and Board of Health

The Budget Committee met July 15 to review expenditure and revenue reports and approve June 17, 2026, minutes. The Board of Health met July 16 to review the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities County Program, discuss CR-103 on tribal representation and board membership timelines, and receive public health, Jefferson Healthcare, and infectious disease updates.

Coming up

• **July 20 — BOCC:** Consent agenda includes a $201,775 pavement marking contract (Specialized Pavement Marking LLC), a $5,742.98 ADA seating agreement for the Larry Scott Trail, and a $77,000 amendment bringing the Brinnon Reach design project to $295,428. A public hearing on Open Space Tax Program Application CUA2025-00001 (Jefferson Land Trust) and a workshop on 2027 provisional budget goals are also scheduled.
• **July 21 — LTAC:** Discussion and potential action on Hood Canal Bridge roundabout sign maintenance costs and LTAC presentations.
• **July 22 — Housing Fund Board:** Discussion of RFP funding priorities, the 2027 RFP application timeline, and an update on the Continuum of Care designation.
• **July 27 — Finance Committee and BOCC (joint meeting):** Discussion of the Treasurer's second-quarter 2026 report on county and district debt and investments.