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4 Support for the GMA: We support application of the principles of the Growth Management Act in long-term land use planning. We support compliance with the both the spirit and the letter of the decisions of the Growth Management Board.
5 Full Staffing for Planning Department: We urge the BOCC in the strongest terms to increase funding, salaries and staffing for the offices responsible for land use planning, permitting, inspections, and enforcement. We urge the BOCC to aggressively enforce our land use laws.
6 Planning for Future Water and Waste: We demand that local governing bodies take all necessary steps to provide adequate facilities to support planned growth, to provide adequate clean water, to treat sewage, and to dispose of solid waste.
7 Recycling and Solid Waste: We support the implementation of policies and procedures that promote and increase recycling of materials, and minimize sold waste for disposal without the expectation that funding will be generated entirely from waste disposal fees.
8 Affordable Housing Initiatives: To ensure a diverse population, we must provide affordable housing opportunities for people from all economic levels. We support land use policies that provide for and assure affordable housing in the town and the county. We support new enabling legislation authorizing a real estate excise tax to fund affordable housing.
9 Public Health is a High Priority: The overall health of a community is measured by the resources it makes available to its citizens to ensure their individual well being. We urge the BOCC to fully fund a comprehensive outreach program through our Public Health Department.
10 Hotel-Motel Tax: We oppose the implementation of an additional 2% tax on lodging for the purpose of promoting tourism, because (1) tourism promotion can be addressed voluntarily by lodging providers, and (2) whether a person chooses to come to San Juan County depends on the state of the economy and other factors that will not be addressed by the tax. If such tax is implemented, the money should be spent on parks and other facilities to support visitors to the islands.
11 Ethical Business Practices of Contractors: We support a county policy that requires county officials to examine and consider the business practices of any person, business, or entity with which it intends to contract or do business. The county should not hire or contract with any person or entity with a history of unfair or unethical business or labor practices.
12 Funding for Ferries: Ferries are an integral part of the state highway system. We support funding and resources that are fairly allocated throughout the state.
13 Barge Landings: We support the construction and maintenance of public barge landings at appropriate sites on each of the major islands.
14 Courthouse Facility: We believe that our county government needs suitable space in which to perform its duties and serve the community. We fully support the immediate expansion of the courthouse facility and the construction of a new administration building in accordance with the "Phase I" plan proposed by the county commissioners and all elected county officials. We urge that adequate funds be raised and appropriated for this project.
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