Council weighs funding ring dike

The “flood/dike update,” a recurring item of unfinished business at La Conner Town Council meetings, became the elephant in the room at Council’s Nov. 13 meeting. Council member Jacques Brunisholz repeated his concern that the Town is not protected from a catastrophic flood, that climate change means weather is unpredictable and that he, and the Council, is not meeting its prior agreement for adding $50,000 annually to the flood control fund. “We need to have the Town protected,” he said, “all the rest is for naught.

“It was set up years ago at my insistence,” the 10-year council member said. “Now that we have the fund, just feed it.”

But it is not being funded. Instead, it has been raided. Its January balance is set at $90,924 and over $15,000 is to be spent next year.

Council and staff discussed actual costs of building the ring dike, which would start at the roundabout, go north and then follow Sullivan Slough across La Conner Whitney Road till it reaches the Swinomish Channel south of The Port of Skagit Marina offices. Its purpose is to protect against a breach of the north fork of the Skagit River during a 100-year rain event.

The group faced up to the fact that the present pace of budgeting puts construction even decades out. Brunisholz asked about loans. Administrator Scott Thomas responded that debt could be approved in two ways: bonds could be voted by Council or in a referendum, a ballot measure.

Mayor Ramon Hayes focused the discussion on revising the general fund by cutting other areas to gain $50,000 for a 2019 flood control allocation. The proposed 2019 general fund is $973,881, with proposed deficit spending of almost $88,000.

Councilmember Mary Wohleb floated the Fourth of July celebration, which “I really love, but [could be] on the chopping block.” Councilmember John Leaver brought up law enforcement, the Town’s contract with the County Sheriff’s Office, as an expense that could be reduced.

Discussion turned to permits and regulations and then Councilmember Bill Stokes asked for a project estimate from Public Works Director Brian Lease. He ventured “close to one million dollars.”

Hayes again focused Council’s attention, saying that “it is the money; he [Brunisholz] is not wrong. We need clear direction from the Council.”

Dan O’Donnell, one-time council member and mayor, spoke up, recommending “that [the Council] go for a voted bond now.” Brunisholz’s reply: “this is not a direct democracy.” He seemed to advocate that Council make the decision to buy a bond.

Discussion ended. No resident spoke at the public hearing on the preliminary budget. Hayes charged councilmembers to come to the Nov. 27 meeting with budget cutting recommendations.

At the public hearing on the property tax revenue source agenda item, O’Donnell disputed staff’s calculations on the property tax, saying there was a discrepancy of over $14,000. He also criticized the tax rate since 1985, lamenting revenues lost because it was not higher.

The Council passed a motion, agreeing to an interlocal agreement with Skagit County for senior services programing. The County will provide $6,856 annually for staff wages and benefits and office and supply costs. Council tabled a proposal for spending funds on communications equipment for the fire department. Council agreed to spend $4,060 for a tidal gauge recommended by retired administrator John Doyle.

Early in the meeting Sergeant Tobin Meyer announced he would be taking a position in new Sheriff Don McDermott’ administration. His last day in La Conner is December 31.