To the Editor:
A “yes” vote on the San Juan County levy lid lift is a vote to protect the core services that make island life possible: public safety, public health, senior services and the basic infrastructure of local government.
San Juan County faces a projected $3.7 million shortfall in 2027, equal to roughly 12–13% of the general fund. Of all the property taxes we pay, only about 9% support the county’s general operations. The county has balanced its 2026 budget through careful management.
Costs have risen — for insurance by as much as 34% in a year. But state-imposed limits on annual property tax growth create a structural gap the county is hoping to address with the levy lid lift. Without it, local officials will have to make hard choices about what services to cut or keep.
The county is scheduled to make long-needed code updates that will shape island life for decades. With our newly adopted comprehensive plan, we have the opportunity to modernize the codes that govern housing, land use and energy to ensure what is legal aligns with what is necessary.
Currently, outdated codes stand in the way of solving our community’s pressing problems of unaffordable housing and energy insecurities. A “yes” vote means maintaining reliable public health and senior services, sustaining law enforcement coverage and preserving community assets like our parks and fairgrounds.
As we prepare for climate impacts like wildfire risks and flooding, maintaining the staff capacity allows the county to aggressively pursue external grants to fund these costly infrastructure efforts. The investment in this workforce will pay for itself many times over the moment a crisis strikes and we are well prepared.
—Chris & Chom Greacen, Lopez Island; April 15, 2026