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MINUTES
Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners
Regular Meeting — February 9, 2026, 9:00 a.m.
Jefferson County Courthouse—Commissioners' Chambers
1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA (Hybrid)
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Greg Brotherton, Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour, and
Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette participated in the meeting. Chair Brotherton called the meeting
to order at the appointed time, and read a sonnet about the Seahawks Superbowl win that was created
using AI.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Brotherton called for public comments, and
seven comments were received. The Commissioners addressed the comments.
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner
Dudley-Nollette moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Eisenhour
seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
1. RESOLUTION NO. 06-0209-26R re: Closing the Veteran's Relief Bank Account
2. RESOLUTION NO. 07-0209-26R re: In the Matter of Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization
Act of 2025 of 2025 (Public Law 119-58)and Reimbursement of PILT Funds from Road Fund to
General Fund
3. RESOLUTION NO. 08-0209-26R re: In the matter of Applying for Fish Barrier Removal
Board(FBRB)grant funding for the Chimacum Creek at West Valley Road and Eaglemount
Road—Fish Barrier Removal RCO Project#25-1350 P
4. RESOLUTION NO. 09-0209-26R re: In the Matter of Closure of Sandy Shore Lake Road,
Milepost 0.00 County Road No. 428509
5. AGREEMENT re: Sponsored marine stewardship projects in East Jefferson County; In the
amount of$147,000; Marine Resources Committee (MRC); State of Washington Department of
Ecology
6. AGREEMENT re: Image upload conversion services; $7,000 from existing funds; Auditor's
Office; Tyler Technologies
7. AGREEMENT re: Data Sharing—Child Wellness Survey;No cost; Public Health; Washington
State Department of Health
8. AGREEMENT re: Oak Bay Campground Camp-Host; In the amount of$10,354; Public Works;
Ronald Brake
9. AGREEMENT re: HJ Carroll Park Caretaker; In the amount of$17,702; Public Works; Terry
and Susan Taylor
10. AGREEMENT re: Gibbs Lake Park Caretaker; In the amount of$17,702; Public Works; Aletia
Bennet and Jon McMullen
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of February 9, 2026
11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting Minutes of February 2, 2026, and Special
Meeting Minutes of February 2,2026 (Joint Finance)
COMMISSIONERS' BRIEFING SESSION: Commissioner Eisenhour provided a
legislative update of bills she has been tracking with the help of the County's lobbyist.
WORKSHOP re: Transfer Station: Solid Waste Program Manager Al Cairns was
present to summarize the public process and the Solid Waste Facility Task Force's work to site a new
solid waste transfer station. He reviewed why the County-owned SR-19/104 property ranked highest
based on service equity, environmental impacts, expandability, and long-term adaptability, while the
existing site fails most criteria and cannot meet future needs. Manager Cairns explained that funding is
not yet available, and he requested that the Commissioners authorize moving forward with additional
studies and consultant work.
After discussion, Chair Brotherton opened the floor to allow for public comments, and four comments
were received. The Commissioners and staff addressed public comments about cardboard recycling
logistics,potential drop-off options at Port Townsend Paper, and concerns over cost, engagement, and
whether the task force process was sufficiently robust. Commissioner Eisenhour and Manager Cairns
noted that the multi-year task force process was thorough and deliberate. The Commissioners weighed
fiscal concerns against long-term service equity, safety, and capacity needs. It was explained that the
existing facility cannot meet future demands or justify major reinvestment, and that cost comparisons
will be refined as design and estimating progresses.
After further discussion, Commissioner Eisenhour moved to proceed with exploration of the SR19/104
intersection location as the preferred site for the new transfer station for Jefferson County, as
recommended by the task force. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion which carried
by a unanimous vote.
HEARING re: Final project performance on the Jefferson County run Septic
System Cost Share Program funded by the Community Development Block Grant(CDBG)—
Housing Rehabilitation contract 22-662210-021: Grants Administrator Amanda Christofferson was
present to review the final report and public hearing for Jefferson County's CDBG-funded septic system
cost-share program, which was created to address long-standing septic code enforcement cases caused
by lack of financial resources. The $483,000 grant supported critical septic repairs and new systems. The
Program served 14 low-income households through a highly leveraged partnership model with
nonprofits, lenders, and service providers. The program emphasized housing stability,public and
environmental health, and local economic benefits, with roughly 90%of funds spent directly on
construction and less than 10%on administration.
Chair Brotherton opened the floor to allow for public testimony. The following individuals provided
testimony: Colleen Randall—Cape George, Shellie Yarnell—Brinnon, and Lyle Page—Quilcene.
Hearing no further testimony, Chair Brotherton closed the public hearing. Environmental Health&
Water Quality Manager Pinky Mingo was present to thank Administrator Christofferson for her work on
this project.
Administrator Christofferson expressed hope that the County can continue to have projects like this in
the future, while acknowledging it will be challenging to determine where to place such programs and
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of February 9, 2026
how to implement them during tough budgetary times. She thanked everyone for their partnership and
appreciation throughout the program.
After discussion, Commissioner Dudley-Nollette moved to delegate authority to the Chair to sign the
Contract Close Out report for the Jefferson County Public Health Environmental Health CDBG grant for
home rehabilitation, on behalf of the BOCC. Commissioner Eisenhour seconded the motion which
carried by a unanimous vote.
WORKSHOP re: Public Defense in Washington State and Jefferson County: Washington
State Office of Public Defense(OPD)Geoffrey Hulsey is the Managing Attorney for the Public Defense
Improvement Program,and OPD Elizabeth Mustin is the Supervisor for the 10101 Program.They were present to
provide information to the Board and answer questions.Also in attendance was Jefferson Associated Counsel
(JAC)Public Defender Richard Davies,Judge Mindy Walker,and County staff.
Ms. Mustin provided a presentation and answered questions from the Board. She outlined how public defense is
primarily funded by counties,why costs are rising statewide,and how new Washington Supreme Court—mandated
caseload standards will significantly reduce allowable attorney caseloads over the next decade. Presenters
emphasized that rising complexity of cases,workforce retention challenges,and the need for pay panty with
prosecutors are major cost drivers,while state funding remains a small share despite recent increases.
JAC Public Defender Davies described Jefferson County's nonprofit model as stable and effective but noted the
need to add staff to meet new standards and avoid costly reliance on out-of-county conflict attorneys. County
Administrator Peters noted budget pressures, administrative challenges in managing conflict cases,and the lack of
reliable state funding solutions in the near term as the County prepares to consider a new five-year public defense
contract.
The meeting was recessed at 12:32 p.m. and reconvened at 1:32 p.m. with all three
Commissioners present.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: An Executive Session was scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to
2:00 p.m. Chair Brotherton announced that the Executive Session will be held from 1:32 p.m. to
2:12 p.m. regarding Attorney-Client Privilege,Potential and Actual 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 2:13 p.m.
Chair Brotherton announced that the Board will be extending the Executive Session from 2:13 p.m. to
2:23 p.m. The Board concluded the Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at 2:24 p.m.
There was no proposed action, and therefore no public comment taken on this topic.
WORKSHOP re: Economic Development Framework: The Commissioners continued
a discussion on developing a shared economic development framework, focusing on preparing for an
upcoming Intergovernmental Collaborative Group(ICG)meeting on February 19, 2026, which will be
facilitated by North Olympic Development Council Director Karen Affeld. The Board stated that the
ICG conversation will clarify what outcome the ICG wants from the process, defining what"economic
development"means across partner agencies, and identifying the County's role relative to the City of
Port Townsend,the Port, PUD, and the Economic Development Council(EDC). Discussion outlined the
need to inventory existing economic development—related documents which include: comprehensive
plans, strategic plans, EDC materials, and identify areas of overlap to form a common foundation, rather
than starting from scratch.
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Commissioners MeetingMinutes of February9, 2026 D F?A,`'
The Commissioners agreed it would be valuable to identify and openly address areas where jurisdictions
may be working on cross-purposes which include: housing, climate,tourism,transportation, and port
uses, within a shared economic development framework. They also discussed using PIF funds and
Opportunity Zones more strategically, clarifying roles and coordination with Commerce,the EDC, and
NODC in advance of the ICG meeting.
WORKSHOP re: Service Requirements for Counties: County Administrator Josh
Peters and Finance Director Judy Shepherd were present to review the service requirements for
Washington counties. Treasurer Stacie Prada joined the conversation to provide input as well.
The Commissioners participated in discussion which introduced a budgeting exercise to distinguish
which County services are legally mandated versus discretionary, using an MRSC table with RCW
references and additional material from Clallam County as starting points. Finance Director Shepherd
explained the next step is to refine the list for Jefferson County by pushing a template to departments,
but noted that line-by-line budget tagging may be impractical and the focus should be on identifying
core mandated functions, overlaps, and whether services have dedicated revenue or are unfunded.
The Commissioners discussed using this"baseline"to make more informed budget decisions, evaluate
fees and recurring revenues vs. expenditures, and better balance escalating judicial mandates against
other general fund responsibilities.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS: The Commissioners and County Administrator
reviewed the following:
• Commissioners' Briefing Session
• Calendar Coordination
• Miscellaneous items
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brotherton adjourned the meeting at 4:26 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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