[Previous entry: "Only 2009 Model "Clean cars" Can Be Licensed"] [Next entry: "Uboost Joins SNS Project Inkwell"]

06/19/2008: "Noxious Weed Board Requests Assessment Increase"

State law requires counties to control noxious weeds (such as ivy shown in photo), and while farming counties in Washington have had Noxious Weed Boards in place for years to deal with weeds the state has declared as noxious weeds, San Juan County was until recently an exception.

The former County Commissioners got on board and appointed a board to run a program to meet the state requirements, and on Tuesday the new County Council received a presentation and a request for more money to run the program.

The new fee would charge $8.10 in each parcel of land and 81 cents for each additional acre. She said 93% of the all parcel owners would pay less than $16.21 per year. The current assessment, which raises $75,750 per year is set at $3.25 per parcel plus 32 cents per acre.


Amanda Azous chairs the SJC Noxious Weed Control Board, and reported in the presentation that “7 out of 8 Class A (meaning eradication is required) species have been removed from all known sites in SJC”. (SJC Weed list) So while progress has been made, the report indicates there is more that could be done, and while the COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) for employees has increased, and the perceived need to expand the program, have all contributed to the need for additional money.

The council was told that the purpose of the request was to fully fund the current program, which includes the COLA increases, as well as vehicle costs; fuel; travel; training, and existing educational publications. Azous said that education is an important part of weed control, and that 20 times more information letters and noxious weed notifications were sent to property owners this year alone, than in any past year.

The increase in taxes would allow an increase in programs, such as: “Provide services to outer islands; Develop volunteer program; New property owner information packets; Grant requests to fund special projects; Develop cost share program for those in need, and Expand efforts to control infestations through seasonal contract labor.”

The Council schedule a public hearing on the requested increase, and after the hearing make a decision on the request.