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MINUTES
Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners
Regular Meeting — January 5, 2026, 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.
REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD: Chair Eisenhour explained the practice of
rotating Chairs in Jefferson County. She moved to nominate Commissioner Brotherton as Chair of the
Board for 2026. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous
vote. Commissioner Eisenhour passed Chairing duties to new Chair Brotherton.
Chair Brotherton announced that as Chair, he will bring more music to the meetings. He also noted that
this will be his last year as Commissioner, and played a song on his banjo for the audience.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Brotherton called for public comments, and five
comments were received. The Commissioners addressed the comments.
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner
Eisenhour noted that on Consent Agenda Item No. 2, on the 2nd page, in the 2nd paragraph, "wharf' was
misspelled. With that correction, she moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner
Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
1. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT re: Courthouse Security Job Share; Human Resources
Department; Sheriff's Office; Gordon Tamura and Darryl Elmore
2. AGREEMENT re: Real estate license for use of Right-of-Way;No cost; Public Works;
Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building
3. ADVISORY BOARD REAPPOINTMENT re: Behavioral Health Advisory Committee
(BHAC); Alternate Board of Health Representative—Gabrielle Vanwert
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting Minutes of December 8, 15 and 22,2025 and
Special Meeting Minutes of December 4, 2025 (Joint ICG), December 8, 2025 (Joint City/HFB),
and December 11, 2025 (Joint ICG)
5. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS: Dated December 22, 2025 and
totaling $979,042.17
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of January 5, 2026 [) R Ar
PUBLIC HEALTH and EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT UPDATE: Public Health
Officer Dr. Allison Berry provided information regarding public health in Jefferson and Clallam County.
She reported rising influenza and RSV activity,with the flu expected to be more severe this season.
There is a stable but ongoing COVID-19 presence, and a growing concern about measles resurgence due
to declining vaccination rates. There have been recent avian influenza cases in local bird flocks without
human transmission. Dr. Berry emphasized the importance of staying up to date on vaccines.
Emergency Management Director Willie Bence stated that Jefferson County largely avoided
December's worst extreme-weather impacts. He explained that after a major earthquake or natural
disaster, local officials should secure themselves and loved ones, check in for briefing and tasks, and
declare a local emergency to unlock resources. He commented on the Jefferson Port Townsend Regional
Emergency Preparedness group,noting that the group may return later in 2026.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS re: Derelict Vessels: Commissioner Eisenhour referenced
an email she received from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and
explained that they are requesting provisional authorization to remove a boat, if they can ascertain that it
is on private tidelands. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Dudley-Nollette moved to authorize
Commissioner Eisenhour to communicate with DNR to let them know that we authorize the removal of
the boat that is referenced in the email that has been brought forward. Chair Brotherton seconded the
motion. He called for public comment on the motion. Hearing no comments, he called for a vote on the
motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Commissioner Dudley-Nollette noted that her and County Administrator Josh Peters met with Captain
Peter Joseph about anchorage rules, derelict vessel concerns, and a request from the Port Ludlow
Community. The next step will be to hold a BOCC Special Meeting in Port Ludlow to convene
stakeholders and review related efforts like a legislative proposal from Kitsap County that could shorten
timelines by allowing quicker custody through the Derelict Vessel Removal Program. There will be a
need to clarify DNR's role and local capacity.
The meeting was recessed at 10:37 a.m. and reconvened at 10:43 a.m. with all three
Commissioners present.
DISCUSSION re: BOCC 2025 Summary and 2026 Goals: County Administrator Josh
Peters facilitated discussion with the Board on a wide-ranging planning discussion focused on setting
priorities and sequencing work for 2026, emphasizing clearer goal-setting, better alignment between
strategic planning and budgeting, and more intentional use of workshops to tackle complex policy
issues. The Commissioners expressed a desire for improving transparency, communication, and public
understanding through clearer summaries of board actions,better use of technology, and more structured
community engagement at appropriate stages.
The meeting was recessed at 12:18 p.m. and reconvened at 1:31 p.m. with all three
Commissioners present.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: An Executive Session was scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of January5, 2026 DRAFT
2:00 p.m. Chair Brotherton announced that the Executive Session will be held from 1:32 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, and
Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (DPA). The Board resumed the regular meeting at 2:02 p.m.
Chair Brotherton announced that the Board will be extending the Executive Session from 2:02 p.m. to
2:12 p.m. The Board concluded the Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at 2:12 p.m.
There was no proposed action, and therefore no public comment taken on this topic.
WORKSHOP re: Communications 2025 Snapshot; 2026 Goals and Protocols:
Communications Specialist Liz Anderson was present to review work conducted in 2025 and outline
goals in 2026 that will focus on trust-building,transparency, and reducing misinformation through
accountable, metric-driven communications. She reported on increased social media following, staff
newsletters,the creation of various content pieces, and emergency communications. The Commissioners
provided input and guidance on how best to shape Communications in 2026.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS: The Commissioners and County Administrator
reviewed the following:
• BOCC Briefing/Calendar Coordination
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brotherton adjourned the meeting at 3:46 p.m.
until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SEAL:
Greg Brotherton, Chair
ATTEST: Heidi Eisenhour, Member
Carolyn Gallaway, CMC Heather Dudley-Nollette, Member
Clerk of the Board
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