Sounder The Islands’
Serving Orcas, Lopez and San Juan County
WEDNESDAY, June 6, 2012 n VOL. 45, NO. 23 n 75¢
A dog’s life
Jeff Hanson/contributed photo
A dog basks in the summer sun – or is immobile from embarrassment – during Kaleidoscope’s 22nd Annual Pet Parade on May 26.
Grad special Inside this edition www.islandssounder.com
County needs ‘overhaul’ Council members discuss future of San Juan County during town hall meeting
he said more action is necessary to keep the budget balanced into the future. The levy lid lift passed by voters in 2009 to stave off service cuts will expire in 2016 unless renewed, accounting for $2 million of Fralick’s potential 2017 deficit. by MEREDITH M. GRIFFITH “Every year we have a crisis; every year we have Special to the Sounder to figure out how to make this work,” Fralick said. The San Juan County budget needs a major over- “Quite frankly, we’ve run out of options.” haul to prevent continued annual emergency reducOne option that will be on the August primary tions, County Councilman Richard Fralick told Orcas ballot is a .3 percent public safety tax authorized by Islanders recently. Washington state but not yet approved by San Juan “I don’t think any of you would want to run a County voters. The tax could generate $1.1 million business this way,” said Fralick at a May 23 town hall per year, with a caveat: 40 percent of the money would meeting. “Our expenditures grow faster than our be dedicated to Friday Harbor. revenues, and this goes on year after The county’s 60 percent portion year ... Going with the status quo “We’re at a point now would support public safety, free– no new or augmented programs ing up general fund monies for where we can’t keep – by 2017 you have an $8 million other purposes. problem.” cutting personnel Asked about the county’s efforts Fralick said the council hopes to stimulate industry, council chair without significant to conservatively restructure the Patty Miller said that one serious county’s budget across a six-year impact on services. ” inhibitor to high-tech industry in planning horizon to eliminate the the county is its lack of high speed — councilman Richard Fralick need for large annual budget cuts. broadband infrastructure. The county’s total budget is $48 The council members also dismillion; of that, most county services other than cussed the progress of the Critical Areas Ordinance, roads are paid for by a $14 million “general fund,” solid waste situation, the development of a Shoreline 80 percent of which directly funds personnel. San Master Plan and the selection of a new county adminJuan County employed 153 people in 2008, and now istrator to replace departing employee Pete Rose. employs just 120. Regarding solid waste, private contractor proposFralick estimates that without adding services, als from those wishing to take a shot at running the county expenses grow at a rate of about 4 percent, Orcas Island transfer station are due July 9. Bidders while current tax regulations ensure that the county’s may include Cimarron Trucking, San Juan Sanitation, revenue growth remains near 2 percent. Kentec USA and even the Exchange, she said. Plans “We’re at a point now where we can’t keep cutting are on target for an early fourth quarter transition of personnel without significant impacts on services,” the station to private hands. Fralick said. While a county reserve policy was enacted in 2009, See TOWN HALL, Page 5
Eastsound trash can project gets a boost by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG Editor/Publisher
With grant money on the horizon, setting up trash cans for Eastsound is one step closer to fruition. “Everyone wants to make the right decisions, so it may be slow going,” said Orcas Chamber Director Lance Evans. “I think it’s long overdue for Eastsound and our visitors. I am excited about it – as excited as one can be about garbage and recycling.” The San Juan County Lodging Tax grant program designated $8,000 to pay for the initial cost of purchasing six cans. The county council has the authority to
change that amount; it looks at the lodging tax committee recommendations in June. “It’s not a done deal,” Evans said. “Until the county signs off, we can’t go ahead and plan on it.” The grants are funded by a portion of the revenue collected under the state lodging tax. Around $350,000 in grant funds will be dispersed in early 2013. The chamber, which is sponsoring the initiative, hopes to have a few of the garbage and recycling cans put up by mid-summer, as San Juan Sanitation has already pledged $1,000 towards the con-
See TRASH, Page 5
Sounder deadlines Display advertising: Friday at noon Classified advertising: Monday at noon Legal advertising: Thursday at noon Press releases, Letters: Friday at 3 p.m.
How to reach us
Colleen Smith Armstrong/Staff Photo
A steel prototype of how the garbage cans in Eastsound could be housed.
Office: 376-4500 Fax: 376-4501 Advertising: advertising@ islandssounder.com Classified: 1-800-388-2527, classifieds@ soundpublishing.com Editor: editor@ islandssounder.com