HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORKSHOP re Draft legislative priorities JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Josh Pete%County Administrator
FROM: Heidi Eisenhour, Commissioner
DATE: December 15, 2025
SUBJECT: DRAFT Jefferson County legislative priorities
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Jefferson County works collaboratively with the Washington Association of Counties,our 24th Legislative
District delegation,the City of Port Townsend and other local and state leaders to educate and build support for
key issues in Olympia each Legislative Session. 2026 is a short 60 day session starting on January 12 and
ending on March 12.
ANALYSIS:
There are several bills and funding items that we started working on in 2025 at the start of the biennium
that we will continue working on in the 2026 session. Those items are included for discussion today for
our consideration and potential addition to. We've retained Kelsey Hulse of Propolis Consulting with a
contract for the 2026 and 2027 sessions. Additionally,we have Crystal Ellerbe on contract to consult on
Federal issues. She has already helped a bit with SRS Funding advocacy in the last month.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Discuss, amend and decide on a legislative agenda to move forward with.
REVIEWED BY:
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Jos 'eters, County Administrator ate
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Jefferson County's Legislative Priorities for 2026—2027
In addition to the priorities below, we'll actively support Washington Association of Counties priorities such as pursuit of
fiscal sustainability for counties, increased funding for public defense and housing, and finally funding for rural coroners.
BUDGET REQUESTS
• Completion of Phase 1 of the Port Hadlock Wastewater treatment system:additional$6,750,000 to complete almost
200 residential hook-ups including Joyce Mobile Home Park(24 units), B&R Mobile Home Park(75 units)and Stages
3 and 4 of Phase 1 which are predominantly residential (Approx. 80 Single Family Residences).
• Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend are partnering on the Regional SR20 Mill Road Roundabout and
Jacob Miller Safety and Economic Development Project.Jefferson County supports the City of Port Townsend's
$800,000, 2026 legislative request for this project to be used for preliminary design/engineering and as a
prerequisite to future construction funding.
• Design funding for a mid-County Aquatic Center:Jefferson County is seeking support to complete the initial design
work for this important community asset in 2027.
• We're joining the coalition requesting$31.35 million from the Capital Budget for DNR's Trust Land Transfer Program
—which would fund Jefferson County's Cape George,Anderson Lake, Beaver Valley projects.
• Support the request for$18 million in Capital Budget from the Natural Climate Solutions Account for replacement
forests for the encumbered land counties, money to support more ecological forestry instead of continued
clearcutting of older forests,and a small investment in capacity for DNR to jumpstart carbon projects.
POLICY PRIORITIES
Housing&Families:
• Allowing counties to develop affordable housing by imposing a real estate excise tax(REET),subject to the will of the
voters. (HB 1867)-This proposal would expand eligibility to impose a local affordable housing REET to counties and
to cities under certain circumstances and changes the local affordable housing REET rate to be up to 0.5%.
• Enhance well-being, promote mental health, and provide early interventions by funding services for children and
families through the creation of a local sales and use tax. (HB 1805)
• Support flexibility for Limited Areas of More Intensive Rural Development(LAMIRDS)especially workforce housing,
to the existing residents of areas like Quilcene, Brinnon and Chimacum.
• Preserving mobile home parks as affordable housing.
• Support a Local Option Sales Tax on Short Term Rentals.
Additional priorities:
• Protect emergency responders and emergency response operations in Washington (HB 2492).
• Support increased funding for healthcare in jails.
• Support efforts to improve Derelict Vessel removal.
• Track and support recycling reform.
• Supporting DNR request legislation that would allow DNR to monetize ecosystem services.
Phone(360) 385-9100 jeffbocc@co jefferson.wa.us