# Quarterly Regional Partnership Builds Toward 2026 Legislative Priorities The September 11 special meeting of the Swiss Regional Partnership unfolded as a planning session for the upcoming legislative year, with county officials from five northwest Washington counties gathering virtually to review strategic priorities and coordinate advocacy efforts. Swiss — an acronym for Skagit, Whatcom, Island, San Juan, and Snohomish Counties — represents a unique regional collaboration focused on transportation, behavioral health, and now-dissolved broadband initiatives. Commissioner Janet St. Clair of San Juan County chaired the 72-minute session, which brought together county commissioners and council members from across the region. The meeting followed a familiar rhythm of strategic updates, partner briefings, and regional coordination — the kind of civic machinery that operates largely outside public view but shapes policy decisions affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. What emerged was a picture of counties grappling with shared challenges: budget pressures, infrastructure needs, and the complex web of state and federal policy that determines local capacity. The conversation revealed both the collaborative potential of regional partnerships and the persistent structural limitations facing county government in Washington state. ## Strategic Plan Recalibration Travis Dutton, staff coordinator from the Washington State Association of Counties, opened the substantive discussion with updates to Swiss's strategic plan — a living document that has evolved significantly since its original conception. The most notable change was the formal suspension of the regional broadband subcommittee in favor of participating in the broader Washington State Association of Counties broadband initiative. "Really the big changes that ultimately we came out of the original strategic plan was to suspend the broadband subcommittee in favor of participating or putting more energy and committing our time to the wasac broadband subcommittee that Axel manages, that is all of the counties," Dutton explained. This shift reflects the reality that broadband policy has moved beyond regional coordination to statewide implementation, particularly with significant federal funding flowing through existing programs. The behavioral healthcare subcommittee, meanwhile, has found new focus through a partnership with the North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization. "More recently than our last meeting, identified a specific project that the subcommittee and potentially Swiss will support," Dutton said. The project involves a comprehensive youth behavioral healthcare needs assessment, drawing together county data to identify gaps and develop solutions. The timeline is ambitious — completion by the November legislative meeting — but the potential impact is significant. "They think it's going to be a good piece of information for this group to have and maybe help continue to refine where each of the subcommittees focus within their topics," Dutton noted, suggesting that data-driven analysis might help Swiss better target its limited resources. The transportation subcommittee remains in transition, with ongoing work to incorporate ferry issues into its portfolio. This reflects the unique transportation challenges facing island and peninsular communities, where state ferry systems function as essential highway infrastructure. Council Member Jane Fuller from San Juan County has been leading this effort, though laryngitis prevented her from speaking extensively during the meeting. ## Revenue Reality and Road Needs The heart of the meeting's substance came through presentations from state-level partners, beginning with Jane Wall, Executive Director of the County Road Administration Board (CRAB). Wall brought both celebration and caution to the discussion of transportation funding. The celebration centered on CRAB's new Local Access Road Program, established during the 2025 legislative session with $21 million in biennial funding. "To be really honest, I didn't expect that we'd cross the finish line last year," Wall admitted. "It usually takes many years to stand up a new program, and we knew that revenues were very tight last year." The program addresses a significant gap — local roads that constitute 60% of county road systems and nearly 30% of all roads statewide had no dedicated funding source. But Wall's caution was equally prominent. With funding not beginning until July 2027 and declining revenue forecasts, the program's continuation is far from guaranteed. "My greatest concern is as forecasts continue to come in in terms of revenue, forecasts that revenues are down... I do worry that the legislature will say, well, we don't have the money to fund it right now," she explained. The discussion revealed the complex dynamics of transportation funding in an era of transitioning vehicle technology. Electric vehicle adoption is accelerating the decline of motor vehicle fuel tax revenue, creating pressure for new funding mechanisms. Wall outlined expected legislation focused on the "Virginia model" — an opt-in road usage charge system that could fundamentally alter how transportation infrastructure is funded. "The concern at the county road administration board is we actually get a fair amount of money from electric vehicle fee charges to our rural arterial program wrap, and as the gas tax continues to decline, that electric vehicle fee has made up for those losses," Wall noted. Changes to the electric vehicle fee structure could have cascading effects on existing county transportation programs. ## Ferry Politics and Federal Opportunities The ferry discussion illuminated both the political complexity of regional advocacy and the potential for federal funding opportunities. Axel Swanson, Managing Director for the Washington State Association of County Engineers, acknowledged the challenge of advocating for ferry systems at the state level. "When it comes to the ferry system, the analogy I use is kind of the state route system, the transportation system in the state is interconnected, right?" Swanson explained. "It gets harder for me if I am... I don't advocate specifically or necessarily for the state route system." The challenge is that ferry issues primarily affect four counties — San Juan, Island, Whatcom, and Pierce — creating tensions around statewide versus regional advocacy. But the discussion revealed promising federal opportunities, including work on the "50 mile rule" that currently limits federal funding access for Puget Sound ferries. Commissioner St. Clair shared that Swiss counties had met with federal delegation offices about this issue two years ago. "There are significant opportunities for funding at the federal level, and that was one of the examples that Naco was willing to talk with us about... that would help us be able to access more federal funding." Council Member John Scanlon from Whatcom County reported positive news on the county's federal grant application for a new Lummi Island ferry, noting coordination with other counties to share ferry designs and reduce costs. This kind of practical collaboration demonstrates the tangible benefits of regional coordination beyond policy advocacy. ## Budget Pressures and Public Service Challenges As the meeting shifted to county updates, a consistent theme emerged: budget constraints forcing difficult decisions about essential services. Commissioner Ron Wesen from Skagit County provided the most detailed account, describing a projected $20 million shortfall in a $73 million budget. The county is also grappling with overwhelming demand for Meals on Wheels services and a requirement for 22 new public defenders over the next decade. "We had a very lively proclamation the other day our senior services, Meals on Wheels program, somebody put out that we're shutting them down in three months, and so we have well over a couple 100 seniors in our office at our hearing discussing issues," Wesen reported. The county currently spends $1.7 million on senior services and Meals on Wheels but is operating over kitchen capacity while demand continues growing. The public defender mandate illustrates how state policy decisions create unfunded local obligations. "We don't have space, we don't have money, we don't have that many attorneys. We believe in the county," Wesen said, capturing the frustration of local officials trying to implement state mandates without adequate resources. Similar budget pressures emerged across the region. Council Member Kaylee Galloway from Whatcom County described their mid-biennium budget review: "We're looking at having to make some serious considerations at reducing we're going to try to avoid layoffs and the like. But it's tough times." Council Member Nate Nehring from Snohomish County suggested Swiss dedicate future meeting time to sharing budget strategies and efficiency measures. Commissioner St. Clair from San Juan County reported that while they could "squeak by" for the next biennium, "after that, not so much." The pattern suggests regional economic pressures that transcend individual county management decisions. ## Comprehensive Planning and Federal Land Concerns Beyond budget challenges, several counties reported major policy initiatives requiring significant staff resources. Whatcom County is undertaking comprehensive plan updates that Council Member Galloway described as particularly complex due to new state requirements: "We recognize the state had quite a few new elements for us to consider. So we're trying to figure out that, you know, 1220, client housing element work... the climate element." The comprehensive planning process reflects broader tensions between state planning mandates and local capacity. Galloway noted they expect to be "tardy" in completing the work by the state deadline, illustrating how unfunded mandates can overwhelm local planning departments. Council Member Scanlon raised concerns about potential federal policy changes, particularly the "road list rule" affecting counties with significant federal land holdings. This issue demonstrates how federal land management decisions directly impact county transportation systems and economic development. Scanlon also shared border crossing data showing partial recovery from pandemic lows: "Earlier this year, traffic was down 50%... it came back more to being down like 30% or so in recent months." For border counties, Canadian tourism represents a significant economic factor that remains below historical levels. ## Infrastructure Innovation and Regional Coordination Despite budget challenges, the meeting highlighted several innovative projects demonstrating regional collaboration potential. Snohomish County's partnership with Washington State University on sustainable aviation fuel research represents the kind of economic development initiative that could benefit the broader region. "The SAF center is going to be kind of a one of its kind center globally for sustainable aviation fuel research and development," Council Member Nehring reported. Combined with Paine Field expansion, these projects suggest economic diversification strategies that other counties might adapt. Island County Commissioner Jill Bacon shared completion of a comprehensive study on alternative septic solutions, funded through a state proviso. "That report is now complete, we'll be happy to send it to anyone who's interested, and it's very comprehensive," Bacon said. The study will inform legislative proposals for rural septic system improvements, another example of local research informing statewide policy. ## Looking Toward November and December Meetings The meeting concluded with planning for Swiss's November gathering during the county leaders conference in Spokane and a December legislative luncheon. Travis Dutton outlined plans for the November meeting to focus on county project presentations: "Swiss counties, sharing highlighted projects, unique projects, lessons, learned experiences for the rest of the county." This format reflects Swiss's evolution from policy advocacy toward peer learning and best practice sharing. The December legislative luncheon will likely incorporate facility tours and extended collaboration time, following successful models from other regional partnerships. Commissioner St. Clair suggested Skagit or Snohomish counties might host the December event, continuing the rotating hosting tradition that builds relationships and showcases local innovations. ## Marine Infrastructure as Third Priority The meeting's closing discussion touched on potential expansion of Swiss priorities beyond transportation and behavioral health. Council Member Justin Paulson from San Juan County, participating through Commissioner St. Clair, suggested marine infrastructure as a possible third focus area. "Marine infrastructure is a huge need, at least in our county," Commissioner St. Clair noted, speaking for Paulson's suggestion. This proposal reflects the unique challenges facing island communities and coastal counties, where marine infrastructure functions as essential transportation and economic development assets. The discussion of a third priority also connected to Council Member Nehring's suggestion for budget-focused collaboration, suggesting Swiss members see value in expanding the partnership's scope while maintaining its collaborative approach. ## Closing Reflections: Regional Partnership in Practice The September 11 Swiss meeting exemplified both the potential and limitations of regional partnerships in Washington state government. The collaborative approach enables counties to coordinate advocacy, share resources, and learn from each other's experiences. The suspension of the broadband subcommittee in favor of statewide coordination shows pragmatic adaptation to changing circumstances. But the meeting also revealed structural challenges that regional partnerships cannot easily address. Budget pressures stemming from state policy decisions and economic conditions affect all counties regardless of collaboration. The ferry funding discussion illustrated how regional needs can conflict with statewide advocacy strategies. Perhaps most significantly, the meeting demonstrated how county officials navigate the complex interplay between local needs, regional opportunities, and state and federal policy constraints. The detailed technical discussions about road usage charges, ferry fee structures, and grant application timelines showed elected officials engaging deeply with policy mechanics that determine local capacity. As Commissioner St. Clair adjourned the meeting precisely on time — "I'm a little bit of a OCD on trying to start and end meetings on time" — the session concluded with a sense of ongoing work rather than resolution. The Swiss partnership continues its quiet but persistent effort to amplify regional voices in state policy discussions, building relationships and sharing strategies across county boundaries. The next test will come in November, when the partnership gathers in person to showcase local innovations and continue building the collaborative infrastructure that makes regional advocacy possible. In an era of increasing policy complexity and persistent resource constraints, these relationships may prove essential to effective local governance.

**Q:** What is the SWISS Regional Partnership? **A:** A collaboration between San Juan, Whatcom, Island, Skagit, and Snohomish counties working on shared regional priorities including transportation, behavioral health, and broadband. **Q:** How much funding did the new Local Access Road Program receive? **A:** $21 million per biennium, which is about half of the $40 million requested. Funding begins in July 2027. **Q:** Why was the broadband subcommittee suspended? **A:** To focus energy and resources on participating in WASAC's statewide broadband subcommittee rather than duplicating efforts regionally. **Q:** What is the North Sound BHO youth behavioral health project? **A:** A needs assessment being conducted with SWISS behavioral health subcommittee support to identify gaps and propose solutions for youth behavioral healthcare across the region. **Q:** Who chairs the SWISS Regional Partnership? **A:** Commissioner Janet St. Clair from Island County currently serves as chair. **Q:** When will the Local Access Road Program funding become available? **A:** Money is scheduled to hit CRAB's account in July 2027, with the first projects approved in July 2026. **Q:** What is the "Virginia model" for road usage charges? **A:** An opt-in approach where electric vehicle drivers can choose to pay based on miles driven instead of paying the flat electric vehicle fee. **Q:** How much of Washington's public roads do counties manage? **A:** Counties are responsible for close to 60% of all public roads in Washington state, including bridges, ferries, and bike infrastructure. **Q:** What percentage of gas tax revenue increase did counties receive? **A:** Counties received 2.5% of the 6% gas tax increase passed by the legislature in the recent transportation budget. **Q:** What federal ferry funding limitation affects Puget Sound counties? **A:** The 50-mile rule limits federal ferry funding access for routes in Puget Sound, though there are efforts to change this. **Q:** When is the next SWISS in-person meeting scheduled? **A:** November 2025 in Spokane during the County Leaders Conference, focusing on county project presentations. **Q:** What is CRAB celebrating this year? **A:** The County Road Administration Board is celebrating its 60th anniversary, having been established in 1965. **Q:** Which counties operate their own ferry systems? **A:** Four counties operate ferries: Whatcom, Pierce, Jefferson (mentioned as operating county ferries), plus counties in eastern Washington including the Keller ferry. **Q:** What is the timeline for CRAB's new program implementation? **A:** Rules adoption in January 2026, call for projects in March 2026, board approval in July 2026, first funding in July 2027. **Q:** What transportation safety issue was highlighted as a county priority? **A:** Rural lane departures, which represent a high percentage of traffic fatalities on county roads that tend to be narrow, unlit, and curvy. ---