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City of Anacortes - City Council Meeting (7/20/26)
Published: Jul 20, 2026
Anacortis Planning Department Streamlines Permitting, Updates Regulations, and Promotes Tourism
The Planning, Community, and Economic Development department has focused heavily on streamlining the permit review process as directed by Executive Order 20262. This includes code amendments for vehicle repair in industrial zones and progress on several other code amendment subsections. They are also working on fee amendments to better recover permitting costs and have transitioned to an appointment-based counter service system. Updates to critical areas regulations and the shoreline master program are ongoing, with the shoreline master program expected in early 2027. The department applied for an economic development grant for the Caps Santa event facility and is supporting legal on land use appeals. They have also updated information at the ferry terminal and info plaques to promote tourism within Anacortis. Q3 goals include continuing these processes, processing special event applications, and managing community development block grants. Lodging tax requests are being prepared for review.
Anacortis HR Department Completes Promotional Testing, Enhances Employee Resources, and Manages Recruitment
The HR Director reported on several key Q2 activities, including the launch of the HR internet SharePoint site and the completion of promotional testing for police and fire positions (battalion chief, fire lieutenant, police captain, police corporal). The annual WCIA risk audit focused on the fleet department, leading to recommendations for policy updates. HR staff attended relevant training, including AWC's Labor Relations Institute and LE1 training for managing LNI retirees. Employee wellness initiatives are ongoing to maintain the 'well city' designation. Ongoing police skill negotiations are progressing, with arbitration scheduled for 2027. Recruitment efforts focused on the fire chief, entry-level police officers, and seasonal positions. Statistics show 36 new hires (6 full-time, 14 student assistants, 16 seasonal), 8 exits, and processing of 16 FMLA/PFML cases and 8 active LNI claims. The HR budget is on track, with professional services at 67% due to recruitment platform contracts and labor relations attorney fees for police arbitration.
Anacortis IT Department Enhances Network Security, Migrates Communication Systems, and Upgrades Infrastructure
The IT Manager reported on several key Q2 projects. The 40 PAM product is being implemented for secure vendor access to the network, enhancing multi-factor authentication, session recording, and password rotation. The city is transitioning from RingCentral to Microsoft Teams for voice communication, projecting cost reductions as Teams is already licensed. Pilot testing for Teams Voice is underway. Efforts are focused on securing compliance through operating system longevity, testing Microsoft Defender for endpoint security, and migrating to Windows 11 24H2 before its end of support. Server infrastructure upgrades are in progress, including migrating Laserfiche servers to Windows Server 2019. The IT department's expenditure is at 43%, with travel and training at 55% due to a conference.
Anacortis Parks and Recreation Highlights Successful Programs, Facility Upgrades, and Community Collaboration
The Parks and Recreation department reported on successful Q2 programming, including a track and field camp, pee-wee baseball, and 'Bark in the Park' in collaboration with the police department. They also celebrated the opening of the new plaza and are exploring a night market idea. Projects completed include the forest lands plan and installation of columbariums at Grand View Cemetery. Looking ahead, they are planning for the 'haunted forest' event and soccer Saturdays. Grant applications are submitted for park improvements, and they are collaborating with other departments on avenue projects. The department emphasizes inter-departmental collaboration for efficient service delivery. Upcoming initiatives include hiring teens for youth mentoring programs and working on the West 6th Park project with a focus on cost-saving. They are actively seeking locations for pickleball courts and are investigating the removal of trees and a statue in a roundabout, prioritizing safety. The Senior Center meals program has been revamped with staff from the Skagit Council on Aging, serving approximately 1,300 meals monthly. The Benroot skatepark bid is closing soon, and landfill site sampling has begun. Hart Lake shoreline design and stormwater compliance are underway, and senior center activity upgrades are nearing completion.
Council Member Raises Concerns Over Potential Budget Shortfall, Mayor Clarifies Projections
Council Member Fantini expressed concern regarding the city's financial status, noting expenditures and revenues suggest a potential shortfall of $2-$3.5 million by year-end. She questioned the lack of a budget retreat, a traditional planning activity, and suggested a need for course correction despite staff efforts. Mayor Walters clarified that projections indicate a deficit for the *next* year (2027), not a shortfall for the current year, and stated that budget discussions will occur in the upcoming finance update. He also mentioned that budget retreats have not been deemed useful by council members.
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The Anacortes News archive
City Council Meeting - Media
City of Anacortes - City Council Meeting, 7/20/26 (Zoom Livestream)
City of Anacortes - Planning Commission Meeting (7/14/26)
Planning Commission - occurs 2nd Tuesday of each month - Media
City of Anacortes - Planning Commission Meeting, 7/14/26 (Zoom Livestream)
City of Anacortes - City Council Meeting (7/13/26)
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