EYE ON JEFFERSON: County budget hearing is scheduled for Monday

The three Jefferson County commissioners will conduct a public hearing on the Jefferson County budget 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.

Consideration of final budget approval is set for Dec. 14.

The county is anticipating a $52.2 million budget for all combined funds, with almost $18 million in the general fund and $34.2 million for 50 other funds.

According to the agenda memo, 2015 revenues have exceeded expectations because of an uptick in sales tax revenues along with several one-time revenue sources.

The proposed budget includes a 2.5 percent increase for non-personnel line items and salary and benefit increases in accordance with union contracts.

A 1.5 percent salary increase for non-union staff and a 2.5 percent increase in transfers from the general fund to other funds is also included.

Commissioners will consider a license and operating contract with the Jefferson County Sportsmen’s Association for 2016-25.

At their 1:30 p.m. briefing, commissioners will hear a report on the North Pacific Coast Marine Resources Committee’s activities.

Items on the consent agenda include:

■ Scheduling a 10:30 a.m. Dec. 21 public hearing on banning sky lanterns and fireworks when a state of extreme fire danger is declared.

■ Approval of $29,576 in Conservation Futures funding for acquisitions in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor.

■   Resolutions for closing the county courthouse at noon Christmas Eve and canceling the Dec. 28 regular meeting.

■   Scheduling a public hearing to discuss fourth-quarter budget appropriations and extensions for 10 a.m. Dec. 17.

■   Agreements to allocate $106,666 for solid waste education and $82,866 for solid waste enforcement. Seventy-five percent is funded by the state Department of Ecology.

■   Approval of a $12,000 Ecology grant to the county Department of Health for site hazard assessment.

Port Townsend city

The Port Townsend City Council will consider lifting water restrictions when it meets Monday.

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

The council instituted the measure Aug. 3, restricting outdoor watering and calling upon its heaviest users to conserve.

Recent rainfall has eased the crisis, officials have said.

The council also will consider, on a first reading, amending water, sewer and stormwater rates and adopting a capital surcharge on stormwater rates, as well as amending the tax rate on water, sewer, stormwater and garbage utilities. Passage would be on a second reading.

It will consider planning commission and advisory board appointments, as well as adoption of the 2016-21 capital improvement plan and the 2015 final supplemental budget.

It plans a 2016 budget discussion.

Council office hours, during which members of the public can discuss any topic with a member of the City Council, take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday in the mayor’s office at historic City Hall.

No other city committee meetings are scheduled this week.

Port of Port Townsend

Port of Port Townsend commissioners will consider rate changes for labor and launch fees when they meet Wednesday.

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. at 333 Benedict St.

It will be preceded by a 9:30 a.m. workshop in the same location at which a draft of the 2016 capital repair and replacement plan will be presented.

At the afternoon meeting, the commissioners also will hear updates on the Quilcene wastewater project and the boat ramp replacement project.

They will consider a transfer of the Sandoz hangar from the Shirley Anne Sandoz Living Trust to Lark Aircraft Leasing Inc.

Chimacum schools

The Chimacum School Board will hear budget reports for September and October when it meets Wednesday.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. in the high school library at 91 West Valley Road.

It also will hear a report on the district’s proposed $29.1 million bond, which will be on the Feb. 9 special election ballot.

The board plans a 30-minute executive session, with no action following it.

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