ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS  -  MINUTES OF MEETING

Regular Session   -   December 11, 2000

 

The Board of Island County Commissioners (including Diking Improvement District #4) met in Regular Session on December 11, 2000,  beginning at  9:30 a.m. in the   Island County Courthouse Annex, Hearing Room, Coupeville, Wa., with   Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman,   William F. Thorn, Member and Mike Shelton, Member, present.   

 

VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS

 

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board:    Voucher (War.) # 88385 - 88704 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 419,376.42.

 

Veterans Assistance Fund: [emergency financial assistance to certain eligible  veterans; the names and specific circumstances are maintained confidential].   As recommended by the Veterans Assistance Review Committee, the Board by unanimous motion  denied in total Claim #V2K-19.

 

APPOINTMENTS AND REAPPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS

 

The Board by unanimous motion,  made the following appointments and reappointments:

 

            Island County Planning Commission

            George Crampton – reappoint to a four year term to 1/2/05, Commissioner District #2

 

            Board of Trustees, Camano Mosquito Abatement District

            Candace Lowder, refilling position  vacated by Deborah Love, term to  January 1, 2002

            Valerie Marsh, reappoint for another  two year term  to expire January 1, 2004

            Grant Lawrence, reappoint for another two year term to expire January 1, 2004

            William “Bill” Enger, reappoint to another two year term to expire January 1, 2004

 

            Island County Water Resource Advisory Committee  (WRAC)

            William Attwater, Coupeville – filling vacancy Commissioner District #1 

           

Employee Service Awards

Department                  Employee                                 No. Years         

Health                          Lea Kouba                                    5                

Health                          Barbara Ream                              10               

Public Works               Melinda Buchholz                          5                

Sheriff                          Phillip Farr                                    10                           

Sheriff                          John Sawyers                                 5                           

Sheriff                          Cecil Wallace, Jr.                           5                           

 

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH – NOVEMBER, 2000

 

Congratulations to Kelly Whitney from Community Development on her selection as the Employee of the Month for November.  Kelly has worked for the County since September 1986 and is now the Building Permit Processing Manager.  Kelly is regularly mentioned and complimented by citizens of the County who have benefited from her help and who appreciated her prompt and courteous assistance.

 

Hiring Requests & Personnel Actions

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved PAA #124/00, Public Works Department, Working Foreman, I BV, Position #2235.01, Replacement, effective 1/1/01.

 

HEARING HELD:  Ordinance # C-119-00 Re-establishing Fees for Juvenile Diversion Services

 

A Public Hearing was held as scheduled and advertised for the purpose of considering proposed

Ordinance #C-119-00 Re-establishing Fees for Juvenile Diversion Services.  Michael Merringer, Juvenile Services Director,  was present in support of the Board’s action  to approve Ordinance #C-119-00. 

 

No members of the public were present to speak either for or against said Ordinance.

 

 

By unanimous motion, the Board adopted Ordinance #C-119-00 re-establishing fees for Juvenile Diversion Services. 

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

ORDINANCE RE-ESTABLISHING          )

FEES FOR JUVENILE                                 )                       Ordinance No. C-119-00

DIVERSION SERVICES                             )

 

            WHEREAS, Island County is required by law to provide diversion services for juveniles accused of certain offenses; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Island County Juvenile Court Services diversionary unit incurs expenses in administering the juvenile diversion program; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners is authorized by Chapter 171, Session Laws of 1993, to establish fees to cover the costs of administration and operation of diversion services provided under RCW 13.40.085, which chapter also requires the parent or legal guardian of a juvenile who receives diversion services to pay for the services based on the parent’s or guardian’ s ability to pay;  and

 

            WHEREAS, this Board adopted Ordinance No. C-161–99 on December 27, 1999 establishing fees for juvenile diversion services; and

 

            WHEREAS, Initiative 722 was approved by the voters of this state on November 7, 2000 and that initiative repealed all non-voter approved new increased taxes and fees adopted between July 2, 1999 and December 31, 1999; and

 

            WHEREAS, it is necessary to re-adopt an ordinance establishing juvenile diversion fees following the Initiative 722 automatic repeal of C-161-99;  NOW, THEREFORE,

 

BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Commissioners of Island County that the Juvenile Court shall re-establish fees to cover the costs of the administration and operation of diversion services provided under RCW 13.40.085, as set forth on the attached Exhibit “A”, which is incorporated into the Island County Code.

 

            Reviewed the 27th day of  November , 2000, and set for public hearing on the 11th day of  December  2000, at 9:55 a. m. in the Commissioner’s Hearing Room.

 

                                                            BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                            ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

                                                            Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

Mike Shelton, Member

                        William F. Thorn, Member

ATTEST:   Margaret Rosenkranz

Clerk of the Board

 

            Ordinance C-119-00 is adopted this 11th day of December, 2000 following public hearing.

 

                                                                        BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                        ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

            Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

                                                                        Mike Shelton, Member

                                                                        William F. Thorn, Member

ATTEST:    Margaret Rosenkranz

Clerk of the Board

 

APPROVED AS TO FORM:                                   

David L. Jamieson, Jr.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and

Island County Code Reviser

 

EXHIBIT “A”

Chapter 3.44

SERVICE FEES FOR JUVENILE DIVERSION SERVICES

 

Sections:

3.44.010 Purpose.

3.44.020 Fee schedule.

3.44.030 Current Expense Fund.

3.44.040 Severability.

 

3.44.010 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to authorize the juvenile court to assess service fees to cover the costs of the administration and operation of juvenile diversion services authorized by Chapter 171, Laws of Washington 1993, and RCW 13.40. Such service fees shall be the responsibility of the party or parties requesting the service. No juvenile who is eligible for diversion, as provided in RCW 13.40, may be denied diversion services based on an inability to pay for the services.

 

3.44.020 Fee schedule. The juvenile court shall prepare and adopt a fee schedule charging no more than fifty dollars ($50.00) per case to cover the costs of the administration and operation of juvenile diversion services provided under chapter 13.40 RCW. The parent or legal guardian of a juvenile who receives diversion services must pay for the services based on the parent's or guardian's ability to pay. The juvenile court is authorized to implement procedures, for cause, to waive all or part of the fees based on an applicant's showing of bona fide hardship. Collection of the service fee shall be the responsibility of the juvenile court.

 

3.44.030 Current Expense Fund. The juvenile court shall cause any such fee so collected to be placed into the current expense fund of the county no less than twelve times per year, based on the requirements of State law and the application of generally accepted principles of accounting.

 

3.44.040 Severability. If any court shall find any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid such findings shall not affect the validity of all remaining portions of this title or the application of this title to other person or circumstances.

 

HEARING HELD:   Ordinance #C-120-00 Re-enacting Additional Two Percent Special Excise Tax on Lodging for Tourism Promotion

 

A Public Hearing was held as scheduled and advertised, for the purpose of considering proposed Ordinance #C-120-00 Re-enacting Additional Two Percent Special Excise Tax on Lodging for Tourism Promotion.  Enactment of the ordinance necessary as a result of I-722.

Although noticed and advertised, there as no members of the public were present  to speak either for or against said Ordinance.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board adopted Ordinance  #C-120-00 re-enacting additional two percent special excise tax on lodging for tourism promotion.

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

ORDINANCE RE-ENACTING ADDITIONAL              )      

TWO PERCENT SPECIAL EXCISE TAX ON          )       Ordinance No. C-120-00

LODGING FOR TOURISM PROMOTION          )      

____________________________________________)

 

            WHEREAS, by Ordinance C-154-99, December 20, 1999, this Board adopted an additional two percent special excise tax on lodging to fund a joint tourism promotion program with the Town of Coupeville, City of Langley and City of Oak Harbor; and

 

            WHEREAS, section 1(1) of Initiative 722 passed by the voters of this state at the November 7, 2000 general election rendered non-voter approved new or increased taxes adopted between July 2, 1999 and December 31, 1999 “null and void and of no effect”; and

 

            WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of the County that the new tourism promotion program should be continued and that the additional lodging tax should be re-enacted, ratified, approved and confirmed in all respects; NOW, THEREFORE,

 

          IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED that the additional two percent special excise tax levied on the sale or charge for lodging in Island County adopted by Ordinance C-154-99, as set forth on Exhibit "A" attached hereto, is re-enacted, ratified, approved and confirmed in all respects.

                     

Reviewed this 27th day of November, 2000, and set for public hearing on the 11th day of December, 2000 at 9:55 a.m.,  in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room.       

 

                                                BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

            Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

                                                            William F. Thorn, Member

ATTEST:                                         Mike Shelton, Member

Margaret Rosenkranz                   

Clerk of the Board                         

 

            Ordinance C-120-00  is adopted this 11th day of December, 2000 following public hearing.

 

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                            ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

                                                            Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

            William F. Thorn, Member                                                                                   Mike Shelton, Member

ATTEST:  Margaret Rosenkranz

Clerk of the Board

 

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

David L. Jamieson, Jr.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and

Island County Code Reviser

EXHIBIT “A”

Chapter 3.06A

Additional Lodging Excise Tax for Tourism Promotion

 

3.06A.010 Tax Levy

Pursuant to RCW 67.28.181, there is hereby levied a special excise tax of two percent (2%) on the sale of or charge made for the furnishing of lodging that is subject to tax under Chapter 82.08 RCW.  The tax imposed under Chapter 82.08 RCW applies to the sale of or charge made for the furnishing of lodging by a hotel, rooming house, tourist court, motel, or trailer camp, and the granting of any similar license to use real property, as distinguished from the renting or leasing of real property. It shall be presumed that the occupancy of real property for a continuous period of one month or more constitutes a rental or lease of real property and not a mere license to use or enjoy the same.

 

3.06A.020 Definitions

The definitions of "selling price," "seller," "buyer," "consumer," and all other definitions as are now contained in RCW 82.08.010, and subsequent amendments thereto, are adopted as the definitions for the tax levied in this chapter.

 

3.06A.030 Relationship to Other Taxes.

The tax levied in this chapter shall be in addition to any license fee or any other tax imposed or levied under any law or any other ordinance of the county; provided that the rate of tax under ICC 3.06A.010 shall not exceed the lesser of two percent (2%) or a rate that, when combined with all other  taxes imposed upon sales of lodging under chapter 67.28 RCW and chapters 36.100, 67.40, 82.08, and 82.14, equals twelve percent (12%).

 

3.06A.040 Special Fund Created

There is created a special fund with the Island County Treasurer entitled “Special Island County/Cities Joint Tourism Promotion Fund” and all taxes collected under this chapter shall be placed in this special fund to be used solely for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of tourist promotion, acquisition of tourism-related facilities, or operation of tourism-related facilities or to pay for any other uses as authorized in Chapter 67.28 RCW, as now or hereafter amended.

 

3.06A.050 Credit for City Tax

There shall be a credit against this county excise tax for the full amount of any city tax imposed pursuant to the authorization of RCW 67.28.181 upon the same taxable event.

3.06A.060 Administration

 

For the purposes of the tax levied in this chapter:

A. The Department of Revenue is designated as the agent of the county for the purposes of collection and administration of the tax.

B. The administrative provisions contained in RCW 82.08.050 through 82.08.060 and in Chapter 82.32 RCW shall apply to administration and collection of the tax by the Department of Revenue.

C. All rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Revenue for the administration of Chapter 82.08 RCW are adopted by reference.

D. The Department of Revenue is authorized to prescribe and utilize such forms and reporting procedures as the Department may deem necessary and appropriate.

 

3.06A.070 Penalty for Violations

 

It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to violate or fail to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter. Every person convicted of a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be punished by a fine in a sum not to exceed $1,000.00 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed ninety days or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day of violation shall be considered a separate offense.

 

3.06A.080 Severability

 

If any section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance.

 

3.06A.090 Effective Date

 

This ordinance is effective December 31, 1999.

 

Clinton Commuter Parking Lot Agreement

 

On submittal and recommendation of approval from Lee McFarland, Assistant  Director, GAS, the Board by unanimous motion approved Clinton Commuter Parking Lot Agreement No. GCA 2427 between Island County and the State of Washington and Washington State Ferries, an agreement to allow the use of the County’s Dan Porter Park for oveflow ferry parking. 

 

RESOLUTION #c-128-00 IN THE MATTER OF GRANTING A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT ON PARCEL #S7395-01-0000C-0  

 

As recommended for approval by Mr.  McFarland, the Board by unanimous motion Resolution #C-128-00 authorizing the granting of a restrictive covenant on Parcel #S7395-01-0000C-0, tract C, First Addition, Plat of Long Beach, as recorded Volume 5, page 2, Book of Plats, and with that action, then approved and signed the Restrictive Covenant, the grantee June Iverson-Orth.

 

The property had been dedicated for use by the public at the time of plat.  It is a near vertical bluff and in order to allow adjacent property owners 100’ radius to well this declaration of surplus property and granting of restrictive covenant was brought forward.

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

IN THE MATTER OF GRANTING )

A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT ON )                      RESOLUTION NO. C-128-00

PARCEL # S7395-01-0000C-0      )

 

            WHEREAS, Island County owns property, Lot C, Division 1, Plat of Long Beach,  1st Addition, due to it being dedicated for use by the public when originally platted; and

 

            WHEREAS, an adjoining property owner desires to drill a well on their property; and

 

            WHEREAS. the Island Health Department requires a 100 foot radius pollution free area around any well; and

           

WHEREAS, this 100 foot radius includes the County property, the adjoining property owner requests that the County grant a Restrictive Covenant on subject property; and

 

WHEREAS, subject property, labeled Hillside Park on the plat map, is a nearly vertical bluff and is unusable for park or other public purposes and is therefore surplus to County needs; and

 

WHEREAS, Chapter 2.31.030.(A)(5) allows the Board of Island County Commissioners to enter into private negotiations for sale of an easement, which is akin to a restrictive covenant, for at least the minimum price set by the Board; NOW THEREFORE,

 

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the County property as shown on Exhibit “A” attached hereto is surplus to County needs; and

 

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the requested Restrictive Covenant on property as shown on Exhibit “A” attached hereto be granted (sold) for the minimum price as set by the Board and shown on Exhibit “B” also attached hereto.

 

ADOPTED this 11th  day of December, 2000.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                            ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

                                                            Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman   

                                                            William F. Thorn, Member

                                                Mike Shelton, Member

ATTEST:  Margaret Rosenkranz

Clerk of the Board    BICC 00-711

 

[Exhibit A and Exhibit B on file with the Clerk of the Board]

 

Resolution #C-129-00 Establishing Salaries for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees (Excluding Elected Officials) for 2001

 

By unanimous  motion, the Board approved  Resolution #C-129-00 Establishing Salaries for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees (Excluding Elected Officials) for 2001.

 

IN THE MATTER OF ESTABLISHING

)

 

SALARIES FOR NON-BARGAINING UNIT

)

   RESOLUTION  C-129-00

EMPLOYEES (EXCLUDING ELECTED

)

 

OFFICIALS) FOR 2001

)

 

 

            WHEREAS, the Board of Island County Commissioners finds that it is in the public interest to make provisions for the 2001 salaries for department heads and all non-bargaining unit employees (excluding Elected Officials) within the following Island County Funds, to wit:

 

Current Expense, Public Works, Road, Public Health Pooling,  Insurance Reserve, Solid Waste and Law & Justice.

 

            WHEREAS,  it is in the public interest to maintain morale and compensation equity among county employees both represented and non-represented;  NOW, THEREFORE,

 

            BE IT RESOLVED, that the above listed shall be granted a cost of living adjustment equal to 3.0% of base salaries effective January 1, 2001;  and

 

             BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that department heads and all other non-bargaining unit employees (excluding Elected Officials) may be granted additional compensation adjustments during calendar year 2001, if approved by the Board of County Commissioners.  

 

            ADOPTED this  11th day of December, 2000.

 

Board of County Commissioners

Island County Washington

Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

William F. Thorn, Member

Mike Shelton, Member

 

ATTEST:   Margaret Rosenkranz,

Clerk of the Board        BICC 00-712

 

 

Resolution #C-130-00 Amending Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual Section 2.01.073(H) Providing Lump Sum Travel Allowance in

Lieu of Actual Expenses to County Commissioners

 

By unanimous motion, the Board adopted Resolution #C-130-00 amending the Personnel Policies & Procedures Manual, Section 2.01.073(H) to provide for lump sum travel allowance in lieu of actual expenses to County Commissioners from $443.00 per month to  $600 per month effective 1/1/01.

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

IN THE MATTER OF AMENDING PERSONNEL      )

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL                  )

SECTION 2.01.073(H) PROVIDING LUMP SUM         )            Resolution NO. C-130-00

TRAVEL ALLOWANCE IN LIEU OF ACTUAL            )

EXPENSES TO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS             )

 

     WHEREAS, RCW 42.24.090 provides, in pertinent part, that counties may prescribe by resolution the amounts to be paid officers or employees thereof, as reimbursement to such officers or employees, in lieu of actual expenses incurred for travel expenses; and

 

     WHEREAS, Island County Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual section 2.01.073(H), adopted by Resolution C-44-94, carried forward the amount of reimbursement for travel allowance in lieu of actual expenses paid to County Commissioners for their use of their privately owned vehicles for County business at the rate of $443.00 per month as first established by Resolution C-19-87F in 1987; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has determined that the existing rate of reimbursement is inadequate to cover the actual costs for private vehicle travel considering inflation of expenses since the existing amount was established in 1987 and that an appropriate rate of reimbursement should be $600.00 per month; and

 

WHEREAS, reimbursement of County Commissioners for use of their private vehicles for County business in the amount of $600.00 per month would be less costly to the County than providing County Commissioners with county owned automobiles for official travel; NOW, THEREFORE,

 

     BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that, effective January 1, 2001, Island County Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual section 2.01.073(H), adopted as part of Resolution C-44-94, June 6, 1994, be amended to read as follows:

 

H.     Travel Allowance – Any member of the Board of County Commissioners of Island County, Washington, may elect to receive in lieu of actual expenses incurred for use of his/her private vehicle for County business conducted within the County, and in lieu of the use of a County car, a lump sum payment in the amount of four-hundred-forty-three dollars ($443.00) six hundred dollars ($600.00) monthly.  Additionally, reimbursement for County business conducted outside the County may be applied for in the prescribed manner, provided such claim shall be duly certified by the County Commissioner submitting such claim on forms and in the manner prescribed by the Division of Municipal Corporations in the office of the State Auditor, in accordance with Section 2.01.075.

 

Material lined through is being deleted and material underlined is being added.

 

     ADOPTED this 11th day of December, 2000.            

 

                             BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                             ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

                             Wm. L. “Mac” McDowell, Chairman

                             William F. Thorn, Member

ATTEST:                      Mike Shelton, Member

Margaret Rosenkranz

Clerk of the Board

 

HEALTH CONTRACTS APPROVED

 

The Board, by unanimous motion, approved the following Health Department contracts:

 

·         Consolidated Contract Amendment, Department of Health, C08611(5), $7,897

·         Contract, HD-14-00, Whidbey General Hospital, Medicaid Outreach, $7,834

 

Award of Projects and Activities Funded by Island County Public Facilities Fund 2% Hotel-Motel Lodging Tax – Tourism Promotion 2001 Program Year

 

Based upon the recommendation of the Hotel/Motel 2% Committee, the Board by unanimous motion, awarded  Projects and Activities Funded by Island County Public Facilities Fund 2% Hotel-Motel Lodging Tax – Tourism Promotion 2001 Program Year, in the total amount of $58,000.

ISLAND COUNTY  PUBLIC FACILITIES FUND

2% HOTEL-MOTEL LODGING TAX – TOURISM PROMOTION

2001 PROGRAM YEAR

 

PROJECTS & ACTIVITIES FUNDED BY 2% TAX REVENUES

 

ORGANIZATION                                                                                          AMOUNT

 

CAMANO ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE                                         $  5,600

            Visitor Information Center – staffing

CASCADE LOOP ASSOCIATION                                                                         600

            “The Cascade Loop Travel Guide” – Marketing Program                                               

CENTRAL WHIDBEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE                                         5,000

            Tourism Promotion, Production and Distribution of Printed Materials

CENTRAL WHIDBEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE                                         5,000

            Tourism Marketing & Fulfillment Program – Visitor Information Center

COUPEVILLE ARTS CENTER                                                                           2,500

            Coupeville Arts Center Fall Comprehensive Catalog of Workshops

FREELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE                                                         1,000

            Freeland Information Brochure – promotion

FREELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE                                                         4,600

            Freeland Visitor Information Center – annual operations

GREATER OAK HARBOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE                                11,500

            Tourism Marketing Program of Island County

ISLAND DISTRICT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL                       10,000

            Off-Season Tourism Marketing Program – distribution activity

LANGLEY SOUTH WHIDBEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE                                     11,000

            Tourism Marketing and Fulfillment Program – Visitor Information Center

WHIDBEY ARTS FOUNDATION                                                                      1,200

            Oak Harbor Dixieland Jazz Festival

                                                                                                                        _______

                                                                                    T O T A L                   $58,000

 

APPROVED By                                  BOARD OF ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

DATE: December 11, 2000

                                                            Wm. L. “Mac” McDowell, Chairman

                                                            William F. Thorn, Member

                                                            Mike Shelton, Member                          

ATTEST:

MARGARET ROSENKRANZ

CLERK OF THE BOARD

BICC 00-716

 
Announcement  from Executive Session November 30, 2000

 

The Chairman formally made an  announcement as a result of the Board’s   Executive  Session held on November 30, 2000:  the Board has agreed to go to Superior Court on those issues remanded by the Western Washington Hearings Board recently.

 

Commissioner Shelton recalled there were three remand issues, the primary one in the Board’s opinion the extension of the AG BMPs to the rural zone.  He believed very strongly that was a critically important part of the County’s overall Comprehensive Plan.  There was no other singular issue that had more public  input than AG BMPs.  It was his opinion that public opinion was overwhelmingly in support of extension of those BMPs to the rural zone.  The record clearly shows that AG BMPs along with setbacks for Type 5 streams and Category B wetlands public support.

 

Commissioner Thorn echoed Commissioner Shelton’s comments on AG BMPs.  He believed what the Hearings Board failed to consider was all of the recommendations and changes that

were made as a package as opposed to looking at them individually.  When taken as a package he felt the County had a consensus on the part of the community with very limited exception to that, reasonable compromise that met everyone’s needs.   The County had strong support from both property rights members and from the environmental community in addition to Board members’ own thinking about it. 

 

Chairman McDowell’s comments involved the ability for existing farmers to continue somewhat in their way of past practices.  Not allow the extension to all