EYE ON JEFFERSON: County commissioners mull convening Board of Equalization to hear tax appeals

The three Jefferson County commissioners will consider allowing the Board of Equalization to convene to hear property tax appeals when they meet Monday.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.

The Board of Equalization can convene when the number of appeal petitions exceeds 25 or 10 percent of those filed the previous year, whichever is greater.

The petitions on file now are more than 10 percent of those filed in 2013, according to a staff memo.

Karl Hatton, JeffCom director, will discuss consolidating public safety services during the commissioners’ briefing at 1:30 p.m.

During the briefing, Jean Baldwin, Jefferson County Public Health director, will ask for direction on drafting a letter to the Washington State Association of Counties regarding the geographic configuration of regional service areas for the delivery of mental health and chemical dependency services.

The commissioners are expected to present a certificate of appreciation to Roberta Frissell, who has served on the county Board of Health for almost two decades.

Commissioners will consider rejecting both bids for a five-year contract for hybrid sedans and issuing a new call for bids to be opened June 9.

A staff memo says one bid was incomplete and the other too high.

Items on the consent agenda include:

â–  An agreement for the maintenance and repair of the windows in the Superior Court chambers in the amount of a $25,000 cash match to a $100,000 grant.

â–  An agreement to support Jefferson County Marine Resources Coordinator services for the Fort Townsend Nearshore Restoration Design Project in the amount of $2,000, which is funded by a grant.

â–  Agreeing to provide up to $55,185 for a director and 4-H coordinator and $7,000 for a water program faculty position with Washington State University Extension.

Port Townsend City Council

The Port Townsend City Council will discuss a signage program for Sims Way between Sheridan and Howard streets when it meets Monday.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at historic City Hall, 540 Water St.

The Blue Star Banner Program, a not-for-profit group, wants to put banners in the public right of way.

The program would honor those serving in the military from Port Townsend through the provision of a banner attached to a light standard or pole.

Since Jan. 6, city officials have interviewed business owners fronting Sims Way between the Thomas Street and Howard Street roundabouts to assess support for establishing the program there.

Some merchants are concerned their signs would be blocked.

The council is expected to direct staff to identify alternative locations for the program and return with a recommendation.

The council also will consider amending purchasing procedures and personnel travel policies.

Council office hours, during which members of the public can discuss any topic with a member of the City Council, take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday in the mayor’s office at historic City Hall, 540 Water St.

The Library Advisory Board will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the third-floor conference room at City Hall, 250 Madison St.

Port Townsend Historic Preservation

The Port Townsend Historic Preservation Committee will consider draft guidelines for windows and solar installations when it meets Tuesday.

The special meeting will be at 3 p.m. in the first-floor conference room at City Hall at 250 Madison St.

The panel also will consider draft guidelines for exterior lighting for non-residential properties and for landscaping walls and terraces.

Port Townsend Council Finance, Budget Committee

The Council Finance and Budget Committee will consider historical trends in lodging taxes when it meets Wednesday.

The panel will meet at 3:30 p.m. in the third-floor conference room at City Hall at 250 Madison St.

The group also will consider a budget forecast for the rest of the year.

Jefferson PUD

Jefferson County Public Utility District commissioners will discuss their medical disconnection policy at a meeting Tuesday.

The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. at 250 Chimacum Road, Port Hadlock.

Action items include resolutions on a segregation and surplus property.

Commissioners also will discuss transformer repositioning.

Jefferson Transit

The Jefferson Transit Board will hear reports from the general manager and on operations when it meets Tuesday.

The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Port Townsend Fire Station, 701 Harrison St.

It also will hear reports on ridership and maintenance.

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