HomeMy WebLinkAbout091911_pm
Regular Agenda
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR AGENDA REQUEST
TO:
Board of County Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
AI Scalf, Department of Co=unity Development (DCD) Directo~
Stacie Hoskins, DCD Planning Manager
Michelle McConnell, Associate Plann~
Donna Frostho!m, Associate Planner
"
FROM:
DATE:
September 19, 2011
SUBJECT: Public Hearing for Voluntary Stewardship Plan Decision
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
ESHB 1886, which pertains to a voluntary stewardship program (VSP) for maintaining the viability of
agriculture and protecting critical areas, went into effect on July 22, 2011. Jefferson County must determine
whether to opt in or opt out based on requirements specified in ESHB 1886. Should the County choose to
opt in, the County must determine which watersheds are to be included in the VSP and must select a priority
watershed. As part this process, the Board of County Commissioners (HoCC) approved a decision making
process on August 1,2011 that includes soliciting public input and conferring with key stakeholder
representatives on the topic. On August 22, the BoCC approved public noticing of a 3D-day VSP co=ent
period and a public hearing to be held on September 19, 2011) Wlil-\ 1We:. PV/buc.. COlV',,^"eAJ":""
f~D C,..l,Ci,.IIJ($" fJ(r tf!:o"o 'P.M.. ON h,lY'<-1, $~ee.a. 2-~1 2..011 ,
ANALYSIS/STRATEGIC GOALSIPROS and CONS:
The County must make a decision whether to opt in or opt out within six months of the effective date for
ESHB 1886, or by January 22, 2012. To fulfill the legislatively mandated requirements, Jefferson County
needs to consider public input. Should Jefferson County decide to opt in, Section 4 of the new legislation
requires that public noticing must be followed. Providing a public notice at this time provides the most cost-
effective and efficient means of addressing this requirement.
During the August 1, 2011 BoCC meeting, the Board agreed to a decision making process as outlined in the
August 2, 2011 staff memo. This process included preparation of an Informational Paper and a 30-day
public co=ent period with public hearing to gather citizen input. A memo summarizing the August 1,
2011 decisions and a copy of the public notice were attached to the August 22, 2011 Agenda Request, and
the Informational Document is available online through the County website.
FISCAL IMPACT/COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS:
This work will be completed by funds provided to Jefferson County Department ofCo=unity
Development from the General Fund in support oflong-range planning projects. Since Jefferson County
must address the requirements ofESHB 1886, some of the money from the General Fund for use in DCD
long-range planning will be used for this emerging issue.
Regular Agenda
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the BoCC hold a public hearing on September 19, 2011 to receive comments from
the general public that pertain to the VSP opt inlopt out and watershed selection decision.
REVIEWED BY:
?((~~
Date