Press Release Date:

May 8, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jefferson County - Department of Community Development (DCD)

Jefferson County, WA - Jefferson County announces a comprehensive restructuring of the Department of Community Development beginning June 1, 2023. Most notably Director Brent A. Butler will become the Chief Strategy Officer and Deputy Director Josh D. Peters will become the Director. The County appreciates Butler’s years of service to our community and is thrilled to be able to continue to collaborate with him on important community projects.

"Brent has been and will continue to be an invaluable asset to the Department and the County as a whole, and we are grateful for his dedicated service," said Mark McCauley, Jefferson County Administrator. “This restructuring represents what we believe to be the best response to the perfect storm we are facing in our community development department, including significant staff turnover during transition to an entirely new software system. We have a multipronged effort underway to get significant work done: we’re reorganizing the department, expanding our recruitment efforts, and working to reduce staff turnover. Efforts are also underway to streamline processes and make the department more efficient.”

“We are excited to see Brent continue to make a positive impact on our community," Commissioner Greg Brotherton added. “Brent has a deep understanding of the community's needs and a passion for creating programs that make a positive impact. I am confident that this new role will help lead the department with distinction and continue the excellent work that Brent is known for.”

Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour remarks that, “The County has much important work ahead such as making affordable housing more available, effectively managing the intensive permitting and building needs of our community, and developing and implementing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan that is mindful of the Wildland Urban Interface. All this combined with the concurrent work on the County Strategic Plan shows us how important the work is that DCD performs. It is vital that the team be able to focus on the current needs of the community, yet also build for the future. By having Brent in the role of Chief Strategy Officer, we will be able to focus on both. It’s an exciting time.”

Butler adds, “I’m excited to be able to focus on some very important and incredibly necessary County projects: revisit our policy on Short Term Rentals to foster longer-term housing options, update zoning in our Irondale and Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area (UGA) in light of upcoming sewer service, establish a C-PACER program to incentivize resiliency and job/housing growth, develop the Office of the Fire Marshall to implement the State Building Council’s new Wildland Urban Interface code and develop an inspection program for commercial properties with a related fee schedule, and to enhance our local Floodplain Administration program to continue to enable low-cost flood insurance to county residents.”

The department's Deputy Director, Josh Peters, will be promoted to the Director role effective June 1st. Josh rejoined the Department last June, following stints with other agencies, and has played a vital role in DCD as development code administrator, State Environmental Policy Act responsible official, and supervisor for all development review and long-range planning staff. He had previously worked in DCD from 2000 to 2006, then with the Department of Public Works until 2013. With his extensive experience and deep commitment to the County, Peters is the ideal choice to lead the Department forward and ensure the success of its programs.

Regarding the promotion of Josh Peters, Commissioner Kate Dean added, "Josh has been an instrumental member of the Department, and his expertise, vision, and leadership ensure the Department continues to grow under his direction."

Under Josh's leadership, the Department will continue to work on its core mission of promoting community development and enhancing the quality of life for all residents of the County. The Department remains committed to its programs and services and looks forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders in our community to make Jefferson County an even better place to live, work, and play.

For more information, please visit the Department of Community Development website at www.co.jefferson.wa.us/260/Community-Development or contact DCD by phone at 360-379-4450 or by email at dcd@co.jefferson.wa.us.

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