Jefferson County water district fee debate returns

PORT TOWNSEND — The debate over creating a clean-water district is back.

A proposed ordinance amendment before the Jefferson County commissioners would create a district to monitor and improve the health of the county’s water.

It would also adopt a new, annual tax to fund the district.

If the ordinance amendment is approved, a $5 annual fee per parcel of land owned in East Jefferson County — excluding the West End, Port Townsend and Port Ludlow — would be added to residents’ property taxes in 2010.

The next step is a public hearing, which commissioners scheduled Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. in the commissioners’ chambers in the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.

Written comments can also be submitted until Aug. 5 and may be sent by e-mail to jeffbocc@co. jefferson.wa.us, by mail to P.O. Box 1220, Port Townsend, WA 98368 or in person at the county courthouse.

Neil Harrington, water quality manager for Jefferson County, said the creation of the district and the fee are both allowed under state law and would free up money from the county’s general fund, which is being used to monitor and improve the county’s water.

“It would raise $88,000 for the county to keep the programs going,” Harrington said.

“It would also remove the general fund from the equation.”

The money from the general fund is being used to match state grant money. With the creation of a district, the grant money match and programs monitoring water health would continue.

A clean-water district would pay for pollution prevention systems, animal grazing and manure management practices and water quality monitoring in marine waters.

Commissioner David Sullivan, D-Cape George, said the decision to create a new district is a difficult one to make.

“We spoke about this before,” Sullivan said.

“It proved to be a difficult situation, and that’s why we’ve continued to fund this out of property taxes and out of the general fund.”

In 2007, a countywide $18 annual per-parcel fee proposal met with adamant opposition from property owners.

Opponents said the fee was regressive and overly burdensome on those who own several parcels.

At that time, the commissioners voted instead to form the state-mandated district without a funding fee.

The district was adopted Oct. 17 without a funding mechanism.

The state Department of Health had required the county to form a shellfish protection district in Discovery Bay because of fecal coliform bacteria pollution.

The southern portion of the bay had been downgraded to restricted status for harvesting shellfish.

The Jefferson County Department of Environmental Health extended the proposal to cover all of East Jefferson County.

In 2008, a new $4- and $1-per-parcel fee proposal was recommended by a county-appointed task force. Under that plan, county residents would have paid $4 per parcel, and $1 per parcel would have been charged for Port Townsend and Port Ludlow master-planned community residents, who are served by separate sewer systems.

That idea died when the Port Townsend City Council balked paying into the county fee.

According to the staff report on the ordinance amendment, the idea was reintroduced in part because “a declining county general fund is not able to match current grants to ensure protection of water quality.”

For more information or to view the proposal, visit the county health department Web site at http://www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org.

________

Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Tamara Clinger decorates a tree with the theme of “Frosted Cranberries” on Monday at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The helping hand is Margie Logerwell. More than three dozen trees will be available for viewing during the 34th annual Festival of Trees event this weekend. Tickets are available at www.omhf.org. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Finishing touches

Tamara Clinger decorates a tree with the theme of “Frosted Cranberries” on… Continue reading

Grants to help Port Angeles port upgrades

Projects, equipment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Joseph Molotsky holds Jet, a Harris’s hawk. Jet, 14 or 15, has been at Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue for about seven years. Jet used to hunt with a falconer and was brought to the rescue after sustaining injuries while attempting to escape an attack from a gray horned owl in Eastern Washington. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Wild bird rescue to host open house

Officials to showcase expanded educational facilities

Jaiden Dokken, Clallam County’s first poet laureate, will wrap up their term in March. Applications for the next poet laureate position, which will run from April 2025 to March 2027, are open until Dec. 9. To apply, visit NOLS.org/NextPoet. (North Olympic Library System)
Applications open for Clallam poet laureate

Two-year position will run from April 2025 to March 2027

The YMCA of Port Angeles was May recipient of Jim’s Cares Monthly Charity at Jim’s Pharmacy in Port Angeles.
Staff and customers raised more than $593 to support the YMCA.
Pictured, from left, are Joey Belanger, the YMCA’s vice president for operations, and Ryan French, the chief financial officer at Jim’s Pharmacy.
Charity of the month

The YMCA of Port Angeles was May recipient of Jim’s Cares Monthly… Continue reading

Festival of Trees QR code.
Contest: Vote for your favorite Festival of Trees

The Peninsula Daily News is thrilled to announce its first online Festival… Continue reading

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office uses this armored vehicle, which is mine-resistant and ambush protected. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)
OPNET to buy armored vehicle

Purchase to help with various situations

Lincoln High School students Azrael Harvey, left, and Tara Coville prepare dressing that will be part of 80 Thanksgiving dinners made from scratch and sold by the Salish Sea Hospitality and Ecotourism program. All meal preparation had to be finished by today, when people will pick up the grab-and-go meals they ordered for Thursday’s holiday. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Students at Wildcat Cafe prepare Thanksgiving dinners

Lincoln High School efforts create 80 meals ready to eat

D
Peninsula Home Fund celebrates 35 years

New partnership will focus on grants to nonprofits

A mud slide brought trees down onto power lines on Marine Drive just each of the intersection with Hill Street on Monday. City of Port Angeles crews responded and restored power quickly. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Downed trees

A mud slide brought trees down onto power lines on Marine Drive… Continue reading

Photographers John Gussman, left, and Becky Stinnett contributed their work to Clallam Transit System’s four wrapped buses that feature wildlife and landscapes on the Olympic Peninsula. The project was created to promote tourism and celebrate the beauty of the area. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Iconic Peninsula images wrap Clallam Transit buses

Photographers’ scenes encompass community pride

Housing identified as a top priority

Childcare infrastructure another Clallam concern