The Board of Island County Commissioners (including Diking Improvement District #4) met in Regular Session on December 12, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. in the Island County Courthouse Annex, Hearing Room, 1 N. E. 6^th Street, Coupeville, Wa. Mike Shelton, Chairman, Wm. L. McDowell, Member, and William J. Byrd, Member, were present. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. By unanimous motion, the Board approved the minutes from the meeting of December 5, 2005.

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board: Voucher (War.) #227630-227942 ………………………………$354,186.23.

By unanimous motion, the Board made the following reappointments to serve on the Marine Resources Committee for Island County for three year terms expiring December 31, 2008:

Don Mason GSA 10

By unanimous motion, the Board approved Resolution #C-142-05 Providing Lump Sum Travel Allowance in Lieu of Actual Expenses to County Commissioners, effective January 1, 2006. [Resolution #C-142-05 on file with the Clerk of the Board]

The Chairman opened a public hearing as scheduled and advertised at 9:55 a.m. for the purpose of considering Resolution #C-131-05 Revising ICC 2.02.050 Increasing the Salaries of the Prosecuting Attorney and Sheriff. He commented that in Island County the separately elected officials salaries are a percentage of the salary of the county commissioners. The proposed ordinance increases the salary of the Prosecuting Attorney from 125% to 135% of the salary of

county commissioners, and increases the Sheriff’s salary from the same as the county commissioners to 110% of the salary of the county commissioners.

At the time of hearing, no one in the audience took the opportunity to either speak for or against

the resolution.

By unanimous motion, the Board approved a Contract for 2% Hotel Motel Lodging Tax Revenues 2006 Program Year with Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce for tourism marketing and development for Island County, in the amount of 16,600 (RM-BOCC-05-0143), per award approved by the Board on November 21, 2005.

The Board by unanimous motion approved the following Health Department contracts as submitted for approval by Tim McDonald, Health Services Director:

Pat Powell, Whidbey-Camano Land Trust, 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank, asked that the Commissioners consider scheduling a public hearing to complete the 2005 Conservation Futures process which began nearly a year ago. There were three applications from: (1) Whidbey-

Camano Land Trust; (2) City of Oak Harbor; and (3) Island County Trails Association. The process prescribed by ordinance was followed. The CAB held two public hearings and made detailed recommendations to the Board. Typically, the Board of Commissioners would hold a public hearing in July, August or September, but this year that hearing has not yet been scheduled. She requested that a hearing be scheduled after the first week in January.

Phil Bakke, Planning and Community Development Director, presented for purposes of setting a public hearing before the Board, Ordinance #C-143-05/PLG-026-05 - Amendments to Sections 3.40.020 and 3.40.230 of the Island County Code PBRS. In 1998 the Planning Commission recommended and the Board authorized development of a Public Benefit Rating System [PBRS] for Island County. Since that time, there have been a little over one dozen applications for property enrollment in the PBRS. Staff became aware of a conflict between the PBRS program and the Open Tax Classification (RCW 84.34). The RCW allows jurisdictions to adopt locally developed PBRS programs, but prior to having that, counties and cities using the taxing system and open space land classification that allow the property owners to reduce taxes. Mr. Bakke’s belief was that at the time the Board considered the PBRS program in 1998 it was the understanding that both the open space classification and the PBRS could co-exist simultaneously. That has been found now not to be the case. The purpose and intent of the proposed ordinance is to make it clear that pre-existing open space properties can remain with that historic tax benefit if the property owner continues to comply with terms and conditions of the application.

By unanimous motion, the Board scheduled for public hearing Ordinance #C-143-05/PLG-026-05 - Amendments to Sections 3.40.020 and 3.40.230 of the Island County Code PBRS, on January 9, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. [GMA Record # 8492]

Chairman Shelton announced that the Board would meet at 10:45 a.m. in Executive Session as allowed under RCW 42.30.110 (1) (i) to discuss with legal counsel representing the County potential litigation. He expected that the session would last under one hour and did not anticipate a public announcement afterwards in open public session.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

______________________________

Mike Shelton, Chairman

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Wm. L. McDowell, Member

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William J. Byrd, Member

ATTEST:

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Elaine Marlow

Clerk of the Board