Island County Commissioners Set 2026 Levies, Contracts, and Public Hearings
The Island County Board of County Commissioners convenes December 9 to consider certifying 2026 tax levies, approve tourism lodging tax contracts, establish non represented wage increases, and schedule multiple public hearings that affect land use and private sewer franchises. These agenda items carry direct budgetary and planning implications for property owners, local businesses, and residents across Whidbey and Camano islands.
The Island County Board of County Commissioners meets at 10 a.m. today in the Board of County Commissioners Hearing Room at the Island County Annex in Coupeville, and remotely via Zoom. The meeting opens with employee recognitions and a public input period that allows residents three minutes per speaker. The published agenda places a number of budgetary and land use actions on the consent agenda that, if approved together, will shape county finances and services for 2026.
Key consent items include Resolution C 72 25 certifying the levies for collection of taxes in 2026 and Resolution C 73 25 providing a lump sum travel allowance in lieu of actual expenses to county commissioners. The agenda also contains letters of appreciation to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell and Representative Rick Larsen. Tourism lodging tax contracts for the 2026 program year are listed with specific award amounts that target local events and promotion. Allocations include Deception Pass Park Foundation for the American Grass Roots Concert Series at twelve thousand six hundred dollars, Island County Fair Association for the Whidbey Island Fair at ten thousand dollars, Island Shakespeare Festival at twenty two thousand five hundred dollars, and Whidbey Island Grown Cooperative for Eat Local Month at ten thousand eight hundred dollars.
Human Resources items include Resolution C 74 25 establishing the 2026 non represented wage increase. A contract amendment with Whatcom Law Group P S for hearing examiner services is listed for a two year term from January 1 2026 through December 31 2027 at seventy eight thousand dollars. Planning and Community Development proposes an amendment to the land use and building permit fee schedule under Resolution C 65 25.
Public Works is scheduling public hearings for three franchise renewal and transfer applications for private sewer distribution systems on Camano Island, with suggested hearing dates of January 13 2026. Superior and Juvenile Courts include a contract with the Washington State Health Care Authority for the Criminal Justice Treatment Account for treatment and recovery support services, covering July 1 2025 through June 30 2027 at one hundred eighty eight thousand eight hundred twenty dollars.
On the regular agenda commissioners will select the 2026 chair and hear Public Benefit Rating System applications for permanent open space preservation including an approximately twenty six point three one acre dedication and an approximately seventy two point nine one acre dedication. The board notes most county offices will be closed December 22 through January 5, and video recordings of the meeting are posted to the county Agenda Center generally within forty eight hours. The scheduling of hearings and the presence of funding decisions on today s agenda create imminent opportunities for public input and will influence tax bills, local event funding, land use outcomes, and services for residents across Island County.
