Research

The Committee's research, source documents, and analytical work are made publicly available here. Transparency is a core principle of this effort.

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Data and Analysis

Anderson Island — Rationale for Inclusion in the Proposed Boundary

A comprehensive policy analysis evaluating the constitutional, fiscal, geographic, and infrastructure rationale for including Anderson Island within the proposed Peninsula County boundary. The study examines multi-year Federal Transit Administration data showing ferry farebox recovery rates consistently near 28–32%, and argues that subsidy is a structural characteristic of maritime infrastructure — not evidence of dysfunction — consistent with Island County, San Juan County, and Washington State Ferries. Anderson Island and the Peninsula share a defining vulnerability: constrained access corridors. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the Steilacoom ferry route are parallel single points of failure, and unified governance would enable integrated redundancy planning, joint evacuation modeling, and coordinated economic development. The analysis further finds that including the ferry system within Peninsula County's projected $45.5 million annual property tax base remains fiscally manageable, and that governance alignment — not cost avoidance — is the correct framework for evaluating boundary design.

Federal Transit Administration National Transit Database (2020–2023); Pierce County Ferry Capital and Operations Reports; Transportation Research Board; FEMA National Preparedness Doctrine; PCEC Peer Counties Fiscal Analysis; Island County and San Juan County comparative data
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Historical Precedent

Formation of Pend Oreille County (1911)

Review of the 1911 legislative process by which Pend Oreille County was separated from Stevens County — Washington's most recent county formation and the primary historical precedent for this effort.

Washington State Legislature, Session Laws 1911; Washington State Archives; HistoryLink Essays 9771 & 9772
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Enabling Legislation

Washington State Constitutional Provisions — County Formation

Relevant provisions of the Washington State Constitution governing the formation, alteration, and boundaries of counties, including signature thresholds and legislative requirements.

Washington State Constitution, Article XI; Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Title 36
📄 PDF — In preparation
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Data and Analysis

Registered Voter Count — Proposed Boundary Area

Preliminary voter registration data for the proposed Peninsula County boundary, sourced from the Pierce County Auditor. Required to determine the signature threshold for any future petition effort.

Pierce County Auditor's Office, Voter Registration Records; Washington Secretary of State
📄 PDF — In preparation
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Data and Analysis

Will There Be Enough Money? — Fiscal Capacity Analysis

A structured fiscal comparison using verified assessed valuation and levy data for the proposed Peninsula County boundary, benchmarked against Island County's adopted 2023 budget. The analysis finds the proposed county would receive more than twice the property tax revenue of Island County, and that all other major revenue streams — sales tax, REET, licensing, and fees — are structurally comparable based on documented commercial and retail capacity. Read the full report for complete findings and methodology.

Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer (2023); Island County 2023 Adopted Budget; Peninsula County Parcel Dataset; Pierce County Tax Code Area 472 Levy Distribution
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News Coverage

Peninsula Coverage — Representation and Service Delivery

A compilation of published news coverage documenting Peninsula residents' long-standing concerns about county representation, public safety service delivery, and geographic governance issues.

Various regional and local news sources; dates range 2010–2026
Compilation in progress
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Historical Precedent

County Formation History — Washington State (1853–1911)

Overview of how Washington Territory and State boundaries were established from 1853 forward, including the transportation and geographic factors that shaped original county boundaries.

Washington State Historical Society; Washington State Archives
📄 PDF — In preparation