EYE ON JEFFERSON: County considers housing fund ballot measure

The three Jefferson County commissioners will consider declaring an emergency in the availability of affordable housing and placing a property tax levy on the Nov. 7 general election ballot to fund a Home Opportunity Fund when they meet at 9 a.m. Monday.

The special meeting will be in commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.

Commissioners held a public hearing on the idea last week.

The proposed ballot measure, which would need a simple majority to pass, would authorize a property tax levy of about 36 cents per $1,000 assessed property value for seven years to establish the Home Opportunity Fund. The levy would expire in 2024.

It would generate about $1.9 million per year starting in 2018. Money would be provided to housing organizations to build or preserve housing for low- and very low-income households in Jefferson County.

Other county committee meetings are:

• Marine Resources Committee — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St.

• Gardiner Community Center Board of Directors — 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road, Sequim.

• Parks Advisory Board — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, first-floor conference room, courthouse.

Port Townsend city

The Port Townsend Arts Commission will discuss a funding application from RainShadow Chorale when it meets at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

The panel will meet in the first-floor conference room at City Hall, 250 Madison St.

It also will discuss a budget update and the 2018 budget proposal.

The Port Townsend City Council does not meet this week.

Other city committee meetings, which are in conference rooms at City Hall, 250 Madison St., unless otherwise noted, are:

 Historic Preservation Committee — 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, third-floor conference room.

 Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board — 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, first-floor conference room.

Jefferson PUD

Jefferson County Public Utility District commissioners will review and discuss the PUD’s telecom program and provide staff with direction on how to proceed when they meet at 10 a.m. Monday.

The special meeting at 230 Chimacum Road, Port Hadlock, also will cover current programs and financing options.

At the PUD’s regular meeting at 5 p.m. later that day, a Bonneville Power Administration conservation agreement, a Rural Utility Services audit report and Citizen Advisory Board membership are on the agenda.

PUD commissioners also will discuss a net metering resolution update, public information policy change and succession planning for the general manager position.

They will go into executive session on the performance of a public employee before adjourning.

Jefferson Healthcare

Jefferson Healthcare commissioners will consider approving medical staff credentials/appointments/reappointments and medical staff policy when they meet at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Commissioners will meet in the Victor J. Dirksen Conference Room on the first floor at 834 Sheridan St.

They also will hear an update from the executive director on the Olympic Community of Health.

Jefferson County ­Marine Resources Committee

The August meeting for the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee, originally scheduled for Tuesday, has been canceled.

The next meeting will be Sept. 5.

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