Christine Minney, County Council Chair, has been balancing the opinions of fellow council members for the past year. Pandemic active phrase to recovery mode. Our Dept of Health continues to provide vaccinations and tests but we are shifting back to what we did prior to pandemic as local immunization rates have dropped dramatically; regionally, we are at the bottom of the list. We are reopening clinics on Orcas and Lopez soon. Council has given thumbs up for mobile health van to travel to other islands; the first of its kind in the islands, to acquired next year.
Challenge of establishing tax on vacation rental permits distributed in the county. County permits: 650 (335-Orcas, 229-SJ, 85-Lopez) before the current moratorium expires on 7/13/22. New department established, Dept of Environmental Stewardship with 8 employees to oversee solid waste, marine resources, clean water, and cultural resources, with advisory body.
Distribution of $1.7 million in two rounds of lodging tax to 36 applicants by end of May.
After 20 years in the works, Beaverton Valley Shop structure will be completed by year's end for housing public works, roads, and new dept of Environmental Stewardship, a consolidation of office buildings spread throughout the town.
Hiring Communication Coordinator, full time. County website will be more user friendly! sanjuanco.com
Positive outlook from covid: public link for council meetings; attend meeting on line. Sign up in advance. Call on people in the order of their sign in time.
Questions from members: affordable housing distribution in 2021 ? - $3 million.
Planning ordinances, density requirements, water & sewage (water survey/data in progress) Home advisory committee discussing rural clusters in county. We have job applicants but no affordable housing to offer them. Circumstances are DIRE, a position we share with most of the state.