NEWS
(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit Board of County Commissioners on January 22nd, voted to reject all submitted bids for construction of the Guemes Island electric ferry. The County Commissioners have rejected the bids because the estimated costs to complete construction of the ferry were higher than the available funds for the project, according to a news release from the county. After evaluating all phases of the project, including vessel construction, terminal modifications, and shoreside battery charging stations, Skagit County is approximately $13M short of the new estimated costs. Project estimates have increased due to higher costs for construction materials and (read more)
(MOUNT VERNON)– The City of Mount Vernon will soon re-open its search for the City’s next police chief. The decision to open the process again comes a day after learning that the candidate to whom the City offered the position withdrew his application to pursue an opportunity in another department, according to a news release from the city. This was the second candidate to withdraw from the process in the past two weeks; both pursuing higher paying positions in larger cities. “It’s disappointing when you search so diligently for the right fit, and then it doesn’t end (read more)
(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit Board of County Commissioners on Monday, adopted an interim ordinance temporarily prohibiting the acceptance of new permits for event venues on Skagit County agricultural land. The interim ordinance, which takes effect immediately, clarifies that permissible tourism-related activity on Skagit farmland does not include permanent businesses that conduct large events, such as weddings and concerts, according to a news release from the county. “Protecting farmland is the center of who we are as a community, but, at the same time, we need to support the Skagit Valley’s tourism industry,” said Commissioner Peter Browning. The interim (read more)
(SKAGIT COUNTY)- the Skagit Board of County Commissioners on Monday, passed a resolution to place an emergency medical services (EMS) levy renewal on the April 23, 2024, special election ballot. The purpose of the ballot measure is to renew the levy at a sufficient rate to continue funding 24-hour EMS response, according to a news release from the county. The EMS levy must be renewed by voters every six years, and the current levy is set to expire at the end of 2024. Skagit County EMS is a countywide EMS system providing 24/7 life-saving medical response and ambulance transport to area hospitals. Skagit (read more)
(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit Board of County Commissioners on Monday, approved a resolution to appoint Paul Nielsen as the District Court Judge for Position 2, replacing District Court Judge Dianne Goddard after she retires on February 29, 2024. Per Washington State law, the County Commissioners have the authority and responsibility to appoint a replacement District Court judge to serve out the remainder of Judge Goddard’s term, according to a news release from the county. The Board of County Commissioners accepted applications from qualified members of the Washington State Bar Association to fill the vacated position from January 5, 2024, until 4:30 p.m. on (read more)