The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCONSENT Hearing Notice re PFD JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Mark McCauley,Jefferson County Administrator DATE: March 24,2025 SUBJECT: HEARING NOTICE re: Creating a Countywide Public Facilities District for Jefferson County,Washington, including the City of Port Townsend,as authorized by RCW 36.100 and Adopting a New Chapter 3.100 of the Jefferson County Code, "Public Facilities District." Hearing set for April 7,2025 at 10:15 a.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers (HYBRID) STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The BoCC held a Workshop on February 18, 2025, regarding the creation of a countywide Jefferson County public facilities district. At the Workshop, a timeline was discussed to hold a public hearing in March or April 2025. At the March 10, 2025, BoCC Meeting, the BoCC decided to postpone setting a public hearing on a possible PFD until after the Jefferson County Aquatic Coalition(JAC) Survey Results are received and tabulated. At that time, it was suggested the public hearing be set out to Monday, April 7, 2025. The attached public hearing notice reflects publication in The Port Townsend& Jefferson County Leader on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, and sets a public hearing on April 7, 2025, at 10:15 a.m. ANALYSIS: Any county may create a public facilities district under chapter 3 6.100 RCW to develop and operate sports, entertainment, convention, or recreational facilities. A Public Facilities District is a municipal corporation, an independent taxing "authority"within the meaning of Article VII, section 1 of the state Constitution, and a"taxing district"within the meaning of Article VII, section 2 of the state Constitution. RCW 36.100(3). While the enabling legislation in RCW 36.100.010 only requires a resolution to create a public facilities district,the BoCC has opted for an ordinance and to hold a formal public hearing to ensure robust public participation. Jefferson County Code(JCC) 2.55 provides Rules for adoption of ordinances and resolutions. "An ordinance may be adopted only after proper notice and a public hearing.Notice of the time, place and purpose of any public hearing shall be given by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county and in the official gazette, if any, of the county, at least 10 days before the hearing."JCC 2.55.060(2). The attached public hearing notice complies with local procedural rules and takes into account the extra timing needed to review the JAC survey results. FISCAL IMPACT• While it is still difficult to determine the exact fiscal impact,there will be costs associated with the JCPFD formation and process. The county's intention is that the actual costs for the construction, maintenance and 1 operation of a public aquatic facility would be provided by the JCPFD—including but not limited to different funding sources like grant funding for design, private donations by JAC, and funding authorized by RCW 36.100, such as sales and use taxes for public facilities districts pursuant to RCW 82.14.048 (.02%, if approved by the voters). If the JCPFD is created, it will be a separate legal entity from the county. The financial impact to the county will be by providing the overhead and administrative costs associated with the formation of the JCPFD— staff support, legal services, and financial planning will be expense of the JCPFD. An estimate of these JCPFD expenses is in Appendix E (Initial PFD Budget Estimates)to the proposed ordinance. The county, and possibly the Chimacum School District, will expend some resources related to securing the site at Chimacum Creek Elementary for the public aquatic facility prior to the formation of the JCPFD. These resources likely include work by the PAO in preparing necessary legal documents and work by county staff on grant administration, if awarded any grant monies. It is not possible at this time to precisely quantify those expenses, but staff does not expect such expenses will not be financially significant. Jefferson County will not be responsible for any obligations of the district, unless upon the dissolution of the JCPFD and pursuant to RCW 36.96.070, the county takes real property or improvements to real property from the district and expressly assumes such obligations or liabilities through the adoption of a resolution. RECOMMENDATION: Approve a public hearing notice setting a public hearing on Monday,April 7, 2025 at 10:15 a.m. REVIEWED BY: Mark McCaule County Administrator Dat 2 Leader Legal Ads: Please publish 1 time: Wednesday,March 26,2025 Contact Person: Adiel McKnight Bill to: Board of County Commissioners 1820 Jefferson Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Creating a Countywide Public Facilities District for Jefferson County, Washington, including the City of Port Townsend,as authorized by RCW 36.100 and Adopting a New Chapter 3.100 of the Jefferson County Code,"Public Facilities District"(JCPFD). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing is scheduled by the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners for MONDAY,April 7,2025 at 10.15 a.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers,County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson Street,Port Townsend, WA 98368(HYBRID).Notice of said hearing is to be published in the official newspaper of Jefferson County. Any county may create a public facilities district under chapter 36.100 RCW to develop and operate sports,entertainment,convention,or recreational facilities. A Public Facilities District is a municipal corporation,an independent taxing"authority"within the meaning of Article VII, section 1 of the state Constitution,and a"taxing district"within the meaning of Article VII, section 2 of the state Constitution. The information is available for viewing on the County website by visiting: www.co.jefferson.wa.us and follow this pathway—Services—Laserfiche Web Portal(username and password is: public)—Board of Commissioners—BOCC Agenda Packets—2025 Weekly Agenda Items—4 April 2025—040725— HEARING re Creating a Public Facilities District You are welcome to participate in this hearing. You will need to join the meeting by 10:00 a.m. using the following methods: VIRTUALLY: Via the following Zoom, link: https://zoom.us/i/93777841705, PHONE: Dial 1-253-215-8782 and enter access code: 937-7784-1705#and press *9 to"raise your hand" to be called upon. Access for the hearing impaired can be accommodated using Washington Relay Service at 1-800-833-6384,or IN-PERSON In addition,written testimony is invited beginning on March 24,2025 and ending on April 7,2025 at the end of the Public Hearing,unless extended by the Board of County Commissioners. Written public testimony may be submitted by Email to: jeffbocc@co.iefferson.wa.us You may view documents and testimony received by visiting: www.cojefferson.wa.us and following this pathway—Services— Laserfiche Web Portal(username and password is: public)—Board of Commissioners—BOCC Agenda Packets—2025 Weekly Agenda Items—04 April 2025—040725—HEARING re Creating a Public Facilities District You can also Mail your testimony to: Jefferson County Commissioners' Office;PO Box 1220, Port Townsend,WA 98368. Written testimony must be received by the Board of County Commissioners by the end of the hearing testimony period. Signed this 24'day of March 2025. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS /S/Heidi Eisenhour,Chair