EYE ON CLALLAM: County considers new tax for Conservation Futures Fund

The three Clallam County commissioners will conduct a public hearing and consider creating a new fund, the Conservation Futures Fund, with a small additional tax, to preserve farmland and public access to water and open spaces at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The public hearing will be during the weekly business meeting that begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the commissioners’ boardroom (160) at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.

For the new fund, a property tax levy would be applied at a rate of two and three-quarter cents — $0.0275 — per $1,000 assessed valuation.

Proceeds would be used to acquire interests or rights in real property for the preservation of farms, agricultural land, and critical areas.

Public comments can be submitted before the hearing on the draft ordinance to the Clallam County Board of Commissioners, 223 E. Fourth St., Suite 4 in Port Angeles. Or comments can be presented in person at the meeting.

According to the proposed ordinance, commissioners would appoint a Conservation Futures Program advisory board as of Jan. 1.

The five-member board would have a representative from each of the three commissioners districts as well as two at-large members.

Every decade, the program would be reevaluated.

Stakeholders attending the hearing will include Clallam Conservation District and the North Olympic Land Trust.

To see proposed ordinance, go to Page 164 of clallamconservationfutures.

Another public hearing is planned on adopting the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program 2020-2025.

On Tuesday, commissioners will conduct a work session beginning at 9 a.m. in the commissioners’ boardroom.

They will consider:

• An agreement amendment with the Clallam County Economic Development Corporation to increase funding.

• Discussion of supplemental appropriations, budget emergencies and budget reductions to be considered on Nov. 26.

Port of Port Angeles

Port of Port Angeles commissioners will consider adopting the 2020 budget and a 1 percent tax levy when they meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The meeting will be in the port administration building at 338 W. First St.

Commissioners also will hear community partner presentations about Olympic Nature Experience, Composite Recycling Technology Center, Lincoln Park BMX, Washington CoastSavers and Pennies for Quarters.

They will discuss 2020 legislative priorities, consider a lease with the city of Port Angeles and the replacement of a hangar roof at Fairchild International Airport.

Board of Health

The Clallam County Board of Health will welcome District 24 legislators when it meets at 1 p.m. Thursday.

The special meeting will be in Room 160 in the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fifth St., Port Angeles.

Reps. Mike Chapman of Port Angeles and Steve Tharinger of Port Townsend, as well as Sen. Kevin Van De Wege will attend.

The board will discuss each of the following topics for 15 minutes after presentations:

• Transition to integrated managed care — Stephanie Lewis and Wendy Sisk.

• Housing — Randy Johnson, Kay Kassinger and a builder representative.

• Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Funding — Jody Jacobsen.

• Road obligation authority, federal to state to local — Joe Donisi.

• Marbled Murrelet — Bill Peach and Ranch Johnson.

Conservation District

Clallam Conservation District commissioners will set a date, time and location of its 2020 election when they meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The meeting will be in Suite H at Armory Square, 228 W. First St., Port Angeles.

Commissioners will hear an update on the well metering pilot project, amend a contract with Anchor QEA Engineering, and conduct a closed session for an annual employee performance reviews.

Peninsula College

Peninsula College trustees will have a study session on equity gaps in student success when they meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

They meeting will be at the Cornaby Center on the Peninsula College Port Angeles campus, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.

The general meeting will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Sequim schools

A quorum of the Sequim School Board will attend the Veterans Day observance at the Port Angeles Coast Guard station on Monday.

No action will be taken.

Public Utility District

The Clallam County Public Utility District commissioners will not meet Monday because of Veterans Day.

The next meeting is set for Nov. 25 in Forks at the DNR Office in the Pacific Conference Room at 411 Tillicum Lane.

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