Skagit County approves consent agenda, schedules public hearing on 0.1% councilmatic sales tax and ratifies housing funding agreement

The Skagit County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 13 approved its consent agenda, scheduled a public hearing on an optional 0.1% councilmatic sales tax for criminal-justice purposes, and approved a Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funding agreement under which Island Roots Housing, a CHDO, would develop 14 affordable rental units.

Commissioner discussion highlighted several consent items before the vote. The board set a public hearing for Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 3:30 p.m. to consider using a councilmatic 0.1% local-sales-tax option established under House Bill 2015 (referred to in the meeting as HB 2015) that, if adopted, would be restricted to criminal-justice purposes. Commissioners said the hearing is intended to inform the public; the meeting packet listed allowable uses under the statute.

Other items discussed on the consent agenda included contracts and interlocal agreements: an agreement with Accent Continuing Education LLC to provide online continuing education for emergency medical services; an interlocal with Eastern Washington University for Skagit Trends data reporting; a personal-services agreement with Tenfold to align public-health funding with county strategic goals; an expanded Cyclomedia contract to provide street-level imagery to assist the assessor’s office and public works; and a resolution updating Skagit County’s ambulance fee schedule (the board noted a hearing on that matter occurred the prior week).

The board approved the consent agenda (items 1–14 and 16–22) after a motion and second. The consent vote was recorded as approved by the board.

Separately, the board approved miscellaneous agenda item 1, a HOME funding agreement with Island Roots Housing to develop 14 affordable rental units in Langley, Island County, with compensation not to exceed $1,286,561.75. Commissioner Leeson recused herself from that vote due to her role on the Community Action Board; the motion carried 2–0 with one recusal.

Commissioners also flagged other administrative matters including a personal services agreement with Tenfold and ongoing coordination with public health, and announced an upcoming work session with Tenfold and Public Health at 1:45 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Proclamation: Flood Awareness Week (Oct. 13–17, 2025) — Approved, vote 3–0. - Consent agenda (items 1–14; 16–22) — Approved, vote recorded in session. - Misc. Agenda Item 1: HOME funding agreement with Island Roots Housing — Approved, vote 2–0 with 1 recusal (Commissioner Leeson).