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San Juan County, WA · all San Juan County meetings

San Juan County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Plain-English weekly recaps written from official meeting records. 7 weeks available.

Weeks

Week of 2026-10-19

San Juan County opens 2027 budget hearings; property sale, wildlife code and shoreline amendments also on meeting agendas

San Juan County bodies spent the past two weeks opening public hearings on the 2027 budget, property tax levies and long-range construction plans, while separate boards took up a county property sale on San Juan Island, a new wildlife chapter in county code and amendments to shoreline rules.

Agendas were posted for all ten meetings covered here, but minutes had not been published as of Oct. 19. That means no votes, dollar figures or final outcomes from these meetings are confirmed in the public record summarized below. What follows is what each body noticed it would take up.

2027 budget, levies and capital plans

The County Council's Oct. 5 work session included public hearings on the 2027-2032 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program, presented by Jesse Douglas-Seitz of Public Works, and on the 2027 Annual Capital Improvement Plan, the 2027-2032 Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan and the 2027 Clean Water Capital Improvement Plan, presented by Deputy County Manager Tillery Williams.

Budget Analyst Dr. Molly Foote was scheduled to review projected 2027 county revenues. County Manager Jessica Hudson was listed to present three ordinances setting 2027 property tax levies: Current Expense, County Roads and Conservation Futures. An ordinance adopting the 2027 annual budget, with estimated revenues and appropriations, and establishing a new fund in the General Fund, was also on the agenda. The session was noticed to end in closed executive session on collective bargaining under RCW 42.30.140(4)(b).

Property sale and wildlife ordinance before Council

The Council's Oct. 6 meeting in Friday Harbor included two public hearings: a proposed ordinance adding a wildlife chapter to San Juan County Code Title 6, and a resolution authorizing direct sale of county real property at 520 Spring Street on San Juan Island.

Also listed were discussion or action on draft 2027 legislative priorities with Columbia Policy Advisors, and a 2026 PFFAP grant contract extension request from the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District. The consent agenda included approval of warrants issued the weeks of September 14 and 21, 2026. The agenda noted that listed times are approximate and items may be reordered by the Chair.

Land Bank budget and real estate

The Conservation Land Bank Commission met Oct. 8 for an executive session on acquisition or sale of real estate under RCW 42.30.110(1)(b). On Oct. 16 the commission scheduled a public hearing on its 2027 Budget Proposal and was to consider adopting that budget and review the proposed 2027 Expenditure & Acquisition Plan. Updates on the Talking Horse Farm Acquisition and the Beaverton Trail were also listed, along with another executive session on real estate.

Shoreline rules

The Planning Commission scheduled a joint public hearing with the Washington State Department of Ecology on Oct. 16 on the 2026 Proposed Amendments to the Shoreline Master Program.

Lodging tax, housing, ferries, library, building rules

Coming up

The Board of Health meets Oct. 21 for a public hearing on environmental health fees, with updates on respiratory virus vaccine clinics and county-wide prevention efforts.

The Hearing Examiner meets Oct. 28 on a Conditional Use Permit for bulk fuel and outdoor storage at 1104 Cattle Point Road, a Plat Alteration and Simple Land Division at Afterglow Drive, and an appeal by Afterglow Two LLC regarding code enforcement case CE-26-0010 at 769 Afterglow Drive. A Shoreline Substantial Development Permit for the Port of Friday Harbor at 1065 and 1293 Turn Point Road and an appeal by Orcas Madrona LLC regarding a Provisional Use Permit at 231 Madrona St. were both requested to be continued to Nov. 25, 2026.

Week of 2026-10-12

San Juan County roundup: lodging tax grants, 2027 budget hearings, and one meeting with published minutes

Of eight San Juan County meetings summarized for the past two weeks, one has published minutes. The Lodging Tax Advisory Board, meeting Sept. 29, approved its agenda as presented and directed its Coordinator to identify previous grantees that have not fulfilled requirements while applying for new grants, according to the official minutes. No vote tally or dollar amount appears in that record. The other seven meetings are agenda-only, so no decisions from them are established by the records supplied.

Lodging tax: 2027 grants and a Nov. 10 handoff

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meets Oct. 7 to review 2027 grant applications, discuss scoring and decide which applicants to fund, partially fund or not fund. The agenda also lists review of previous grantees that did not meet grant and applicant documentation requirements, a contract extension request from Public Works, and a possible motion to cancel the Oct. 9 meeting. Final recommendations go to the County Council for approval on Nov. 10, per the agenda.

County budget, levies and capital plans

The Council holds an Oct. 5 work session with public hearings on the 2027-2032 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (Jesse Douglas-Seitz, Public Works) and on the 2027 Annual Capital Improvement Plan, the 2027-2032 Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan and the 2027 Clean Water Capital Improvement Plan (Tillery Williams, Deputy County Manager). The agenda also lists a review of projected 2027 county revenues (Dr. Molly Foote, Budget Analyst), three ordinances setting 2027 property tax levies — Current Expense, County Roads and Conservation Futures (Jessica Hudson, County Manager) — and an ordinance adopting the 2027 annual budget, estimated revenues and appropriations, and establishing a new fund in the General Fund. A closed executive session on collective bargaining is scheduled under RCW 42.30.140(4)(b). The agenda text includes no dollar amounts.

Council Oct. 6: wildlife code and 520 Spring Street

Two public hearings are set for the Council's Oct. 6 meeting in Friday Harbor: an ordinance adding a new wildlife chapter to San Juan County Code Title 6, and a resolution authorizing direct sale of county real property at 520 Spring Street, San Juan Island. Also listed are discussion or action on draft 2027 legislative priorities with Columbia Policy Advisors and a 2026 PFFAP grant contract extension request from the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District. The consent agenda includes approval of warrants issued the weeks of Sept. 14 and 21, 2026. The county notes times are approximate and items may be reordered by the Chair.

Land use and environment

The Eastsound Planning and Review Committee meets Oct. 1 to review two permits: OPALCO Solar Array – 1364kW (Mech-Plumb-26-0203, TPN 271350001000) and a single-family residence, 846 sq/ft, 2-bedroom mobile home (BUILD-26-0257-SUBMITTAL, TPN 271424019000). The agenda also lists a Council update from Justin Paulsen, approval of September 2026 minutes and public comment. The committee advises the planning department, planning commission and County Council.

The Marine Resources Committee, Local Integrating Organization and Citizen Advisory Group meet virtually Oct. 1. Listed items include a discussion on a Canadian West Coast oil project and comments the Washington Department of Ecology submitted to the Canadian Major Projects Office (Brian Kirk), MRC comments on proposed mooring buoy statute changes (Frances Robertson), final approval of the 2026 SRFB grant round by the CAG, and a vessel impacts action plan workshop. An Oct. 6 San Juan MRC meeting with U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen is also listed.

The Conservation Land Bank Commission meets Oct. 8 and lists an executive session to discuss acquisition or sale of real estate under RCW 42.30.110(1)(b).

Library special meeting

The San Juan Island Library District Board of Trustees held a special meeting Sept. 30 for a presentation of project cost estimates and a pre-development meeting report, in person at the Library Meeting Room and by Zoom. The agenda text contains no dollar amounts, contracts or decisions.

Coming up

Week of 2026-08-24

County boards hold agenda-only sessions; Land Bank weighs 40-acre purchase

This week's county meetings were largely agenda-only sessions, with no final decisions recorded. The most consequential items on the table include a potential 40-acre land purchase at Talking Horse Farm, a public hearing on the county's annual zoning docket, and a joint council session planning 2027 legislative priorities. All recent meetings listed below are based on published agendas; minutes have not yet been released.

Land Bank considers land purchases and sales

The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission met Aug. 21 to discuss several real-estate items, including a 40-acre purchase at Talking Horse Farm on San Juan Island, a conservation easement at Mt. Ben West, a sale to Spindrift at Dolphin Bay Preserve on Orcas, and a conservation easement at Picnic Point on Shaw. The commission also received a Beaverton Marsh Trail update. No votes were listed on the agenda.

Planning Commission holds public hearing on annual docket

The Planning Commission on Aug. 21 held a public hearing on the 2026 Annual Docket Resolution, which addresses site-specific redesignation requests to amend the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioners also set a Sept. 18 public hearing on the ordinance, received an update on the Critical Areas Ordinance and draft regulations, and heard from DCD Director Sev Jones. The meeting was agenda-only.

County and Town councils plan 2027 legislative goals

A special joint meeting of the San Juan County Council and Town of Friday Harbor Council on Aug. 20 focused on planning for the 2027 legislative session. Discussion items included a potential ask regarding ferry priority boarding, updates on joint task forces for ferries and affordable housing, joint oil spill prevention work, and the HB 2015 Public Safety Grant Program. The meeting was a discussion and planning session, not a decision-making meeting.

Other meetings this week

Coming up

The San Juan County Hearing Examiner will hold a public meeting on Aug. 26, addressing several land-use items. These include a continued appeal by Afterglow Two LLC (code enforcement case CE-26-0010 at 769 Afterglow Drive), a continued shoreline permit for the Port of Friday Harbor at 1065 and 1293 Turn Point Road, a continuation of the final plat of Sea Breeze, a new hearing on the Long Subdivision Alteration by New RH LLC at 236 Afterglow Drive, and a continued appeal by New RH LLC. The meeting is open in person and via phone or online.

Week of 2026-08-17

County Council reviews budgets, holds Shaw Island hearing; advisory groups tackle housing, ferries, and grants

In the past two weeks, San Juan County boards and committees met to review budgets, hear grant applications, and hold public hearings. No formal decisions were recorded because minutes have not yet been published for these meetings; all items below were on the agenda for discussion or public input.

County Council work session and regular meeting

The County Council held a work session on August 3 to review the 2026 budget and 2027 reorganization options. The agenda also included a grant application resolution for the Madrona Point Marine Facility on Orcas Island, a resolution to dispose of surplus county personal property by public auction, and an update on the Beaverton Marsh Trail.

On August 4, the Council continued a public hearing on an ordinance to site an essential public facility for county operations on Shaw Island. The body also discussed a resolution to waive public bidding requirements for Legislative Building siding, the 2027 Public Facilities Financing Assistance Program (PFFAP) awards, a 2026 PFFAP grant contract extension, and scheduling a public hearing for the second 2026 budget amendment.

Advisory committees and boards

The Eastsound Planning and Review Committee met August 6 to review residential dimensional and parking standards (sections 18.30.490, 18.30.510, 18.30.630) and the Comprehensive Plan Housing Element, assessing housing density feasibility. No formal decisions were listed.

Also on August 6, the Environmental Stewardship committee (Marine Advisory Committees) conducted final scoring and ranking of 2026 Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant proposals. The agenda included discussion of the county budget process and reorganization options, an update on U.S. Rep. Larsen’s oil spill preparedness efforts, a report on the Council’s letter to Gov. Ferguson, and mooring buoy surveys.

The Building Advisory Council held a procedural meeting August 6 to confirm its agenda, introduce members, and set its ongoing schedule. County Council liaison Justin Paulsen outlined ground rules under the Open Public Meetings Act.

The Human Services Advisory Board met August 10, introducing new board member Katharine Briar-Lawson and hearing a presentation on the OARS pilot program by Micael Raphael.

The San Juan Island Library District Board of Trustees held a public hearing August 11 on 2027 budget amendments and a resolution. The agenda also included a DRS compliance review, fair closure, a strategic plan, and heat pump estimates and procurement.

The Ferry Advisory Committee met August 12 to review its priority tracking sheet and 2026 workplan. Updates covered Washington State Ferries, the San Juan County Fair (by Tally Teal), council liaison (Kari McVeigh), Engage (David Robison), and terminal projects for Lopez, Orcas, Shaw, and San Juan islands.

The Housing Advisory Committee met August 12 to hear presentations from four organizations applying for 2025 Home Fund grants: Community Land Trust of Waldron Island (Housing on the Commons), Housing Lopez (Lopez Village North Phase II), OPAL Community Land Trust (Pea Patch Townhomes Operations and Maintenance), and San Juan Community Home Trust (Lee's Landing). No decisions were listed.

Coming up

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing August 21 on the 2026 Annual Docket Resolution, which addresses site-specific redesignation requests to amend the Comprehensive Plan. The commission will also receive an update on the Critical Areas Ordinance and draft regulations, and set a September 18 public hearing on the docket ordinance.

The Hearing Examiner will meet August 26 to hear several land-use items, including a continuation of an appeal by Afterglow Two LLC (code enforcement case CE-26-0010), a shoreline permit by the Port of Friday Harbor, a final plat of Sea Breeze, a subdivision alteration by New RH LLC, and an appeal by New RH LLC of an administrative determination. Some items are continued to later dates.

Week of 2026-08-10

County Council holds hearings on Orcas land sale and Shaw Island facility; budgets and grants reviewed

San Juan County officials held public hearings and work sessions over the past two weeks on several significant items, including a proposed land sale on Orcas Island, siting an essential public facility on Shaw Island, and budget reviews. All recent meetings are listed as agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, so no formal outcomes are confirmed.

County Council: Land sale and facility siting

The County Council held a public hearing on July 28 on a resolution authorizing the sale of the Land Bank's Dolphin Bay Road property on Orcas Island, subject to restrictive covenants. The same meeting included a public hearing on an ordinance to site an essential public facility for county operations on Shaw Island, which would repeal Ordinance 05-2025. The council continued that hearing on August 4, along with discussions on budget amendments and a resolution to waive public bidding requirements for Legislative Building siding.

Budget and revenue discussions

At the July 28 meeting, the council discussed revenue options and capital projects for potential 2027 state funding, and considered a ballot proposition for a one-year property tax levy for the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District. On August 3, a work session covered the 2026 budget, 2027 reorganization options, a grant application for the Madrona Point Marine Facility on Orcas Island, disposal of surplus county property by public auction, and an update on the Beaverton Marsh Trail.

Public Facilities Financing Assistance Program

The Public Facilities Financing Assistance Program committee met July 28 to hear presentations from three applicants: the Town of Friday Harbor (Water Treatment Plant Improvements), the Port of Friday Harbor (Shipyard Haul Out Project), and the San Juan Community Theatre (Expansion – Architectural and Engineering Services). The committee also clarified the allocation of Rural Sales & Use Tax for core entity awards and discussed a contract extension request.

Planning and housing discussions

The Lopez Village Planning Review Committee reviewed urban growth area density, setbacks, and parking standards on July 28. The Eastsound Planning and Review Committee on August 6 discussed residential dimensional and parking standards and the Comprehensive Plan Housing Element. The Environmental Stewardship committee (CAG) performed final scoring and ranking of 2026 Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant proposals on August 6, and also discussed budget reorganization, oil spill preparedness, and mooring buoy surveys.

Other meetings

The San Juan Island Library Board held a building project workshop on July 29, covering capital project capacity and governance. The Building Advisory Council met August 6 for a procedural session to set its schedule and outline ground rules under the Open Public Meetings Act.

Coming up

Week of 2026-08-03

San Juan County meetings: Land Bank sale, Shaw Island facility siting on council agenda; no minutes published yet

San Juan County's recent government meetings covered land sales, shoreline permits, climate planning, and public facilities funding — but because minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings held in the past two weeks, no final decisions, votes, or dollar amounts can be confirmed from the available records. What follows is drawn from the published agendas only.

County Council — July 28

The San Juan County Council agenda listed public hearings on two items: a resolution authorizing sale of a portion of the Land Bank's Dolphin Bay Road property on Orcas Island, subject to restrictive covenants, and an ordinance siting an essential public facility for county operations on Shaw Island, which would repeal Ordinance 05-2025. The agenda also included discussion of 2026 Docket Map Amendment Recommendations, revenue options and capital projects for 2027 state funding requests, and a Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District Governing Board resolution to put a one-year property tax levy to voters. Consent agenda items included fee revisions for designated forest land and farm/agricultural land applications. No vote tallies or dollar figures were available in the agenda.

Public Facilities Financing Assistance Program — July 28

The PFFAP committee agenda included presentations from three applicants seeking funding recommendations for the County Council: the Town of Friday Harbor for Water Treatment Plant Improvements, the Port of Friday Harbor for a Shipyard Haul Out Project, and San Juan Community Theatre for expansion architectural and engineering services. The committee was also scheduled to clarify Ordinance 9-2025 regarding a 25% annual Rural Sales & Use Tax allocation for core entity awards, and to consider a contract extension request. Final scoring outcomes are not yet published.

Hearing Examiner — July 22

The Hearing Examiner agenda listed public hearings on four land-use matters: a Shoreline Conditional Use Permit for a flood-hazard reduction measure at 188 Marine Drive on Blakely Island (File LANDUSE-26-0062); an appeal by After Hunts Point LLC seeking exemption from a shoreline substantial development permit at 717 Afterglow Drive on San Juan Island (File APPEAL-26-0010); a final plat alteration of Lots 27–31, 33–38, and 48–55 in Pavey's Parkside Addition north of Midway Road on Shaw Island (File LANDUSE-26-0030); and an appeal by New RH LLC of an administrative determination on a simple land-use application (File APPEAL-26-0009). The hearing for File LANDUSE-26-0055 was postponed to August 26, 2026.

Other committees

The Finance Committee met July 20 to review county, special purpose, and school investments and set its next meeting for October 19, 2026. The Climate and Sustainability Advisory Committee met July 23 to approve May 28, 2026, minutes, discuss the Climate Action Plan development timeline, review program updates, schedule a retreat, and hold chair/vice-chair nominations and a vote. The Lopez Village Planning Review Committee met July 28 to review density, setback, and parking standards for the Lopez Village urban growth area. The San Juan Island Library District Board of Trustees held a special workshop July 29 on a building project, covering capital project capacity, governance, and a case for support.

Coming up

Week of 2026-07-20

San Juan County boards set agendas on housing, ferries, land bank budget; outcomes not yet recorded

San Juan County's advisory boards and councils held a packed two weeks of meetings from July 8 through July 17, but because minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions, only the scheduled agendas are on the record. The most consequential items on the agendas touched affordable housing, ferry planning, and the Conservation Land Bank's amended 2026 budget.

Lee's Landing affordable housing in focus

The County Council's July 14 agenda included a discussion and potential action item on the Lee's Landing Affordable Housing Project (formerly the Argyle Project) homeownership concept. The same project appeared on the Housing Advisory Committee's July 8 agenda, along with a Home Fund budget update, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, a homeownership covenant language issue, and an Affordable Housing Community Survey. The council agenda also listed discussion of 2026 docket recommendations, revenue options, an updated courthouse security plan, and an executive session regarding litigation or potential litigation.

Ferry system long-range plan and terminal closures

The Ferry Advisory Committee's July 8 agenda called for beginning a process to request Washington State Ferries to update its Long Range Plan. Members were scheduled to review the Priority Tracking Sheet and the 2026 FAC workplan and receive terminal updates for Lopez, Orcas, Shaw, and San Juan. A WSF update was listed as presented by Tally Teal, and a council liaison update was listed from Kari McVeigh. Separately, the County Council's July 13 work session agenda included discussion of Washington State Ferries 2027 terminal closures for Vehicle Transfer Span updates, alongside initial 2027 legislative session planning with Columbia Policy Advisors and a Department of Community Development update on land use tables.

Land Bank to consider 2026 amended budget, Talking Horse Farm acquisition

The Conservation Land Bank Commission's July 17 agenda included a public hearing on the proposed 2026 2nd Amended Budget and an action to consider its adoption. The agenda also listed approval of April 17, 2026 minutes, a director's report on the county current budget through the Agricultural Resources Committee, an acquisition discussion of Talking Horse Farm on San Juan Island, and a stewardship report on the Beaverton Trail.

Budgets, fees, and facility funding

Several bodies had budget-related items on their agendas. The San Juan Island Library Board of Trustees scheduled a July 14 public hearing on 2026 budget amendments and consideration of Resolution #1-2026 to amend the budget, plus discussion of a road map for a new library and a staff survey. The Board of Health's July 15 agenda included a budget update from the Director of Health and Community Services and a presentation on the Environmental Fee Revision Process, with a Health Officer Update listed from Dr. Amy Harley. The Public Facilities Financing Assistance Program committee met July 15 to approve a scorecard format and score applicants, a process that determines how funding is allocated for public facility projects. The Human Services Advisory Board's July 13 agenda included a county budget update and discussion of a WSDOT guest for a September or October event.

Planning, weeds, and fairgrounds

The Planning Commission's July 17 agenda listed staff recommendations on 2026 Annual Docket Text Amendment Requests and Comprehensive Plan Official Map Amendment Requests. The Noxious Weed Control Board's July 10 agenda included a decision on future meeting frequency (monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly) and discussion of fleet services for 2027. The Fair Board's July 10 agenda included horse arena scheduling and events presented by Jennifer Rigg, a staffing update, super lunches, and updates on fairgrounds events and the grandstand.

Coming up

The Hearing Examiner has scheduled public hearings for July 22 on four items: a Shoreline Conditional Use Permit for flood-hazard reduction at 188 Marine Drive on Blakely Island (File LANDUSE-26-0062); an appeal by After Hunts Point LLC seeking an exemption from a shoreline substantial development permit at 717 Afterglow Drive on San Juan Island (File APPEAL-26-0010); a final plat alteration of Lots 27–31, 33–38, and 48–55 in Pavey's Parkside Addition north of Midway Road on Shaw Island (File LANDUSE-26-0030); and an appeal by New RH LLC of an administrative determination on a Simple Land Use application (File APPEAL-26-0009). The hearing for File LANDUSE-26-0055 has been postponed to August 26, 2026.

Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.