PORT ANGELES — A proposed amendment to create a non-regulatory “Water Steward” position in Clallam County government failed Monday night after the Charter Review Commission split in a 7-7 vote, falling short of the majority required to advance it to the November ballot.
The amendment aimed to establish an advisory role responsible for collecting and analyzing data on groundwater, surface water, climate impacts, and conservation strategies. Supporters said the position would help centralize vital water resource information and improve communication with the public, while opponents questioned whether it belonged in the county charter.
After the deadlocked vote, the committee that developed the proposal asked the full commission for guidance on how to proceed. In response, commissioners voted in favor of having the Water Steward proposal reworked—not as a charter amendment, but as a recommendation to the Board of Clallam County Commissioners.
That move keeps the idea alive, potentially allowing the county’s elected officials to create the position through ordinance or administrative action rather than through a public vote.
The Water Steward was one of several proposals the Charter Review Commission has been considering during its periodic review of county government structure. Other potential amendments include expanding the Board of County Commissioners, implementing ranked-choice voting, and establishing an ethics board.
The commission is expected to finalize its list of ballot measures and recommendations in the coming weeks.