Government

San Juan County 

http://www.co.san-juan.wa.us

San Juan County, Washington was established as a part of Washington Territory in 1873. The County consists of 176 named islands and reefs (up to 743 at low tides). San Juan is the smallest of Washington's 39 Counties with approximately 175 square miles of land area and had a population in 2007 of 15,900 (est.).

The largest islands in the County are San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw, all of which are served by the Washington State Ferry System. The County is located in the northwest corner of Washington State. The nearest major population centers are Victoria and Vancouver, B.C. and Seattle, WA. The County seat is Friday Harbor, located on San Juan Island.

Town of Friday Harbor

www.fridayharbor.org

Incorporated: 1909

Location:  Friday Harbor is located midway along the eastern shore of San Juan Island, second largest in a chain of 172 islands in the northernmost stretch of Puget Sound, and situated between Canada's Vancouver Island and the Washington State mainland.

Physical Description:  The Town of Friday Harbor encompasses one square mile, or 640 acres.  Over 50% of the town's area is developed.  Land-use development reflects the town's eight zoning classifications, depicted on the town's official land use map: single family residential; multi-family residential; mobile home parks; professional service commercial; commercial; industrial; public accommodation; and shoreline public accommodation.  Other land-use categories noted are: quasi public facilities; public facilities; parks; vacant areas; and other.

Government:  Friday Harbor is the seat of San Juan County government and is the only incorporated town in the county.  As a municipal corporation of the fourth class, Friday Harbor operates as a fourth class municipal corporation under the Revised Code of Washington, Section 35.  Friday Harbor has a Mayor/Council non-partisan form of government.  Voters elect the mayor and five council members to four-year terms.  All represent the community at large rather than individual districts or areas of town.

Revenue Sources:  The Town of Friday Harbor derives revenue primarily from a 1% sales tax, from real estate and personal property taxes, and from portions of various taxes levied by the State of Washington, such as a gasoline tax, a liquor excise tax, and hotel/motel taxes.  Sales tax and real estate and personal property tax monies are earmarked for the town's current fund which finances general government services.  State-shared revenues are dedicated for a particular use or fund.  User fees or rates support the operation of the Town's utilities.