Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting
About this meeting
- Government Body
- Board of Commissioners
- Meeting Type
- Board Of Commissioners
- Location
- Skagit County, WA
- Meeting Date
- August 31, 2026
Video will appear here as soon as Skagit County Board of Commissioners posts it — usually within a day of the meeting
Monday, August 31, 2026
14 items on the agenda.
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Start free trialCALL TO ORDER:
Chair Wesen called the proceedings to order at 10:01 a.m.
*10:00 a.m. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Wesen led the attendees in the salute to the flag.
Public Hearing to Receive Testimony Regarding the 2025 Guemes Island Ferry Fares following Remand
Chair Wesen opened the public hearing at 10:11 a.m. Michael Brown of 4366 Clark Point Road, Guemes Island, commented on the fare setting methodology and the need for a Guemes Island advisory committee that included the residents of Guemes Island. Jodi Meekins of 5477 Pheasant Run Land, Guemes Island, commented on the 2027 fare calculations, the rates between 2024 and 2027, and fare elasticity. Glen Veal of 4453 Edens Road, Guemes Island, commented on the need for a Guemes Island advisory committee that included the residents of Guemes Island, the taxable value of property on Guemes Island, and potentially creating a ferry district. Steve Orsini of 4971 Guemes Island Road, Guemes Island, requested a copy of the proposed resolution, commented on the fare calculation, and the July 31 Remand Order. Jep Burdock of 5117 South Shore Drive, Guemes Island, commented on the proposed electric ferry, the hiring of additional ferry employees, the need for a Guemes Island advisory committee that included the residents of Guemes Island, the parking lot design, annual price increases, and the lack of communication between the county and the residents of Guemes Island. Dyvon Havens of 4709 South Shore Drive, Guemes Island, commented on the amount of money spent on the ferry and the need for a Guemes Island advisory committee that included the residents of Guemes Island. Cindy Kamp of 6729 West Shore Drive, Guemes Island, commented on the Remand Order, the 2024 Ferry Fare Target Report, and the multi-ride passes. Chip Bogosian of 5010 Totem Trail Road, Guemes Island, commented on the money spent on the Ferry Replacement Project. Allen Bush of 6628 West Shore Drive, Guemes Island, commented on the need for a Guemes Island advisory committee that included local residents, the 2024 capital expenditures, and the recalculation of projected Operating and Maintenance expenses. Pat Richley-Erickson of 5458 West Shore Road, Guemes Island, commented on retaining the punch cards sold during COVID that did not have an expiration date.
Chair Wesen announced that they would be entering into an execution session until 11:25 a.m.
Chair Ron Wesen, Commissioner Peter Browning, and Commissioner Joe Burns were present. The following attorneys were present at the executive session and provided legal advice to the Board of County Commissioners: Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Erik Pedersen, Senior Civil Deputy Prosecuting Stephen Fallquist. Other attendees: County Administrator Trisha Logue, Public Works Director Michael See, Assistant Public Works Director Marie Lambert, and Ferry Division Operations Manager Rachel Rowe.
Executive Session
The executive session began at 10:53 a.m. and ended at 11:23 a.m.
Reconvene Public Meeting
Chair Wesen reconvened the proceedings at 11:23 a.m. and announced that no action had taken place.
Possible Action
Chair Wesen reconvened the proceedings at 11:23 a.m. and announced that no action had taken place. A motion was made by Commissioner Browning to approve the Resolution amending and superseding Resolution R20250260 and R20260060 requiring conversion of all punch cards sold without expiration. (Resolution No. R20260166) Commissioner Burns seconded the motion. The vote passed unanimously. A motion was made by Commissioner Browning to approve a Resolution based on the court order to recalculate the ferry fares be placed on the September 14, 2026, Consent Agenda. Commissioner Burns seconded the motion. The vote passed unanimously. Chair Wesen recessed the proceedings at 11:26 a.m.
Public Comment (Specifically related to the agenda item)
None provided.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION:
County Engineer Tom Weller provided additional information about Consent Agenda item 21. The Commissioners discussed Consent Agenda items 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 17, 16, 21, and noted that 18 had been removed from the Consent Agenda and would be considered at a later date.