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Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners
Regular Meeting — October 20, 2025, 9:00 a.m.
Jefferson County Courthouse—Commissioners' Chambers
1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA (Hybrid)
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Heidi Eisenhour, Commissioner Greg Brotherton and
Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette participated in the meeting. Chair Eisenhour called the meeting
to order at the appointed time.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Eisenhour called for public comments, and six
comments were received. The Commissioners addressed the comments. Deputy Fire Marshall Brian
Tracer was present and briefed the Board regarding the move to a low fire danger, and stated that
burning is now allowed.
RECOGNITION re: Civil Service Commission: Honoring Robert"Bob" Gebo for
23 years of service: Human Resources Director Sarah Melancon highlighted the mission of the Civil
Service Commission and recognized Robert"Bob" Gebo for his 23 years of dedicated service on the
commission. She reflected on his long and distinguished career in law enforcement and expressed
gratitude for his many contributions. Sheriff Andy Pernsteiner joined in honoring Mr. Gebo,presenting
him with a certificate of service and noting his remarkable 55 years of involvement in law enforcement
overall. In response, Mr. Gebo shared his appreciation for the recognition, adding that he believes the
Civil Service Commission is even stronger today than when he first joined.
Chair Eisenhour moved to approve sending a letter of recognition to Mr. Gebo. Commissioner
Brotherton seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
PROCLAMATION re: Proclaiming the last Saturday of October as Food for all
Day: All three Commissioners read aloud the proclamation. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette moved to
approve the proclamation as read and written. Commissioner Brotherton seconded the motion which
carried by a unanimous vote. Jefferson County Food Bank Association Executive Director Patricia
Hennessey and What a Valuable Experience (WAVE) Campaign Coordinator Rosine Kohler was
present and thanked the Board for approving the proclamation.
PROCLAMATION re: Proclaiming the week of October 19-25,2025 as Pro Bono
Law Week; Recognizing the work of volunteer lawyers in Clallam and Jefferson County: All three
Commissioners read aloud the proclamation. Commissioner Brotherton moved to approve the
proclamation as read. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion which carried by a
unanimous vote. Jefferson County Pro Bono Lawyers member Rafael Urquia was present to thank the
Board for approving the proclamation, and thank members of the local Pro Bono Lawyers group for
their service as well.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of October 20, 2025
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner
Brotherton moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette
seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
1. HEARING NOTICE re: Adopting an ordinance establishing minimum levels of service for
curbside collection of recyclables for unincorporated East Jefferson County and adopting new
section 8.10.045 to Chapter 8.10 Solid Waste Regulations of the Jefferson County Code (JCC);
Hearing to be held November 3, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers located at
1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (HYBRID)
2. HEARING NOTICE re: Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program(TIP); Hearing to be
held November 3, 2025 at 3:45 p.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers located at 1820 Jefferson
Street,Port Townsend, WA 98368 (HYBRID)
3. RESOLUTION NO. 70-1020-25R re: Construct a road on a portion of public Right-of-Way
known as W. Maude Street
4. LETTER OF THANKS re: Community Outreach Shelter Team(COAST) for their donation of
$52,385 for the Jefferson County Emergency Shelter
5. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT re: Pathology services; Per-service rate; Coroner's Office;
Kitsap County
6. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT re: Coastal Marine Resources Committee (MRC)
implementation; In the amount of$9,000; Public Health; Clallam County
7. AGREEMENT re: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)—Public services program
for 2025-2026 funding; In the amount of$103,000; Auditor's Office; Washington State
Department of Commerce
8. AGREEMENT re: Family-supported social events for people experiencing intellectual and/or
developmental disabilities; In the amount of$15,000; Public Health; Cascade Community
Connections
9. AGREEMENT re: Crime Victim Services for the Jefferson County Children's Advocacy
Center; In the amount of$50,000; Prosecutor's Office; Olympic Peninsula YMCA
10. AGREEMENT re: Winter Welcoming Center—Severe Weather Emergency Shelter; In the
amount of$5,000; Public Health; Jefferson Interfaith Action Coalition
11. AGREEMENT re: Painting the exterior of the Sheriff's Office Administration building; In the
amount of$13,431.60; Central Services; Finnery Construction Inc.
12. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 1 re: Fire CARES; Reallocation of funds for essential
equipment; Public Health; Gateway to Freedom and EJFR
13. AGREEMENT,Change Order No. 11 re: Phase 2—Water Reclamation Plant for the Port
Hadlock UGA, Project No. 405-2114-0, Commerce Project No. 22-96515-026; Increase of
#57,819.85 for a total of$10,582,038.28; Public Works; Interwest Construction
14. ADVISORY COMMITTEE RESIGNATION re: Solid Waste Advisory Committee; Stephen
Chappuis
15. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS: October 20, 2025 and totaling
$1,837,160.56
HEARING re: 2025 Third Quarter Budget Appropriations; Various County
Departments: Finance Director Judy Shepherd was present to review the various appropriation requests
with the Board which included several required budget corrections and ongoing commitments across
departments. Most adjustments addressed staffing, grants, or compliance needs, with only two items
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of October 20, 2025
deemed nonessential and able to be absorbed within existing budgets. The Commissioners, Finance
Director and County Administrator all voiced concerns over a growing deficit and held a discussion on
upcoming austerity measures, emphasizing the need to balance the 2026 budget through reserves and
tighter fiscal management.
Chair Eisenhour opened the hearing to allow for public testimony, and the following individuals
provided testimony: Jean Ball—Quilcene, and Tom Thiersch—Jefferson County. Hearing no further
testimony, Chair Eisenhour closed the public hearing.
After deliberations, Commissioner Brotherton moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 71-1020-25R re:
2025 Third Quarter Budget Appropriations for Various County Departments, with the exception of the
HR line item for Fund Department 065,which can be covered with existing budget capacity, and
approve everything except the Human Resources [request]. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette, seconded
the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
DISCUSSION re: Status of pending nine new opioid settlements: Chief Civil Deputy
Prosecuting Attorney (DPA) Philip Hunsucker was present to provide an update on the opioid
settlements. He will return on November 10, 2025 to provide another update and request the Board take-
action at that time.
WORKSHOP re: 2026 Budget for District Court: District Court Judge Mindy Walker
and District Court Administrator Brian Gleason were present to review their proposed budget with the
Board.
The meeting was recessed at 12:30 p.m. and reconvened at 1:00 p.m. with all three
Commissioners present.
WORKSHOP re: 2026 Budget for Clerk's Office: County Clerk Amanda Hamilton
and Chief Deputy Clerk Lori Bailey were present to review their proposed budget with the Board.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS: The Commissioners reviewed a proposed letter
regarding the housing encampment. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed not approving a letter
at this time, to allow time to discuss further.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: An Executive Session was scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to
2:00 p.m. Chair Eisenhour announced that the Executive Session will be held from 1:30 p.m. to
2:00 p.m. regarding Attorney-Client Privilege, Potential Litigation under exemption RCW
42.30.110(1)(i) as outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act. Staff present: County Administrator, Chief
Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (DPA), Civil DPA, Central Services Director, Public Health
Director, Environmental Public Health Director, and Sheriff. The Board resumed the regular meeting at
2:00 p.m. Chair Eisenhour announced that the Board will be extending the Executive Session from
2:01 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. The Board concluded the Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at
2:16 p.m. There was no proposed action, and therefore no public comment taken on this topic.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of October 20, 2025
WORKSHOP re: 2026 Budget for the Department of Community Development:
Interim DCD Director Chelsea Pronovost and Greg Ballard were present to review their proposed
budget with the Board.
WORKSHOP re: 2026 Budget for Public Works: Assistant Public Works Director
Eric Kuzma, Financial Manager Cathy Taylor, and Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Tyler were
present to review their proposed budget with the Board.
WORKSHOP re: Annual Report of the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board (PRAB): Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Tyler and PRAB members Bob Doyle
and Karen Nyrop were present to brief the Board on the Annual Report. The report summarized their
April tour of County parks, highlighting successes such as improved maintenance, expanding recreation
programs, and strong community partnerships. They also noted ongoing challenges which include
limited staffing, facility repairs, and budget constraints. The report emphasized the importance of
continued investment to sustain parks, recreation programs, and open spaces for the community.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS - Continued: The Commissioners and County
Administrator reviewed the following:
• Commissioners' Briefing Session
• Calendar Coordination
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Eisenhour adjourned the meeting at 4:28 p.m.
until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
, ..?SON COo, : OARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SEAL: c��C M�ssio .GZ (
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N'SEAL Heidi E. , Chair
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ATTEST: i....cp ;o`'�� a erton, ember
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Carolyn Galaway, CMC r dley- o lette, Member
Clerk of the Board
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