Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at August 6, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
184. Fill the forest product manager vacancy on the Forest Advisory Committee? The committee provides review and makes recommendations to the Whatcom County Council on issues that affect the forestry industry. Appointed: Adam Ellsworth, who is currently employed by Sierra Pacific Industries as a commercial forestland manager. (AB2025-518) Authorized 6-0, Todd Donovan temporarily absent.
185. Authorize the executive to accept a $308,750 state grant to provide technical assistance and education outreach to small businesses? The grant is part of a pollution prevention partnership between the state Department of Ecology and local governments to protect Puget Sound water quality and has been provided since 2011. The grant expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2025-543) Authorized 7-0
186. Authorize the executive to sign a $288,000 contract (amendment #1) with Cowden Brothers’ Trucking of Bellingham? The contract will allow county vactor trucks to deposit waste at the Cowden facility in Whatcom County. At the 9/10/2024 meeting, vote #241, the council approved the original contract for $288,000. The purpose of this amendment is the renewal of the contract, as the price per ton is increasing from $180 to $206 and a minimum charge of $125 is being levied. The total amended contract is $576,000; it expires on 8/31/2026 (AB2025-544) Authorized 7-0
187. Authorize the executive to sign an $86,040 contract with sole respondent Columbia Policy Advisors of Olympia to assist Whatcom County to develop and implement a legislative advocacy program? The county has an agreement with the City of Bellingham and Port of Bellingham to provide state lobbying services. The original agreement was approved with McBride Public Affairs at the 12/12/2013 meeting, vote #225. The lobbyist, Josh Weiss, has established a new firm, Columbia Policy Advisors, and the purpose of the contract is to transfer the lobbying services. The contract expires on 8/31/2026. (AB2025-556) Authorized 5-2, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
188. Authorize the executive to sign a $30,000 contract (amendment #3) with the City of Everson to increase the budget for participation in the Floodplain Integrated Planning (FLIP) process? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) Increased participation will include the FLIP steering committee and team, and the FLIP reach teams. The original $48,000 contract was signed by the executive on 1/23/2023. The purpose of the amendment is to extend the length of the contract. The total amended amount is $103,000; it expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2025-557) Authorized 7-0
189. Authorize the executive to accept a $5,517,000 state streamflow restoration grant to implement Phase 2 of the Stewart Mountain Community Forest? At the 8/6/2024 meeting, vote #220, the council voted 4-3 [with Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas, and Mark Stremler opposed] to accept a $3 million pass-through state grant to the Whatcom Land Trust for the Phase 2 acquisition of 1,615 acres of forestland to be added to the existing Stewart Mountain Community Forest. Under Phase 1, 550 acres were acquired in October 2022. This new grant funds will support the acquisition of 1,616 acres of forestland on the east side of Stewart Mountain for the purpose of restoring and improving streamflow. The total cost for the acquisition of up to 5,500 acres on the eastern slope of Stewart Mountain is $15,438,000. The grant expires on 9/1/2026. (AB2025-561) Authorized 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas, and Mark Stremler opposed.
190. Authorize the executive to sign a $77,420 contract with Associated Earth Sciences of Kirkland? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The contract will provide additional monitoring and data collection for a groundwater-surface water interaction study to determine the impacts of agricultural tile drains on stream flows. (AB2025-562) Authorized 7-0
191. Authorize the executive to sign a $111,428 four-year contract (amendment #1) with Runback Election Services of Phoenix, Arizona? The original contract for $373,075 was signed by the executive on 5/28/2020. The amount did not need council approval because the expense was covered by the federal CARES ACT. The purpose of this amendment is to outline the pricing of a four-year software license, equipment maintenance and support services. The total amended contract is $484,503; the contract is ongoing. (AB2025-564) Authorized 7-0
192. Authorize the executive to sign a contract (amendment #1) with Mission Critical Partners of Port Matilda, Pa., to complete [this amendment doesn’t involve additional money] a countywide fire and EMS study? At the 6/18/2024 meeting, vote #176, the council approved the original $223,056 contract. The purpose of the amendment is to extend the contract by one month to allow the contractor to prepare a final report. The contract is $223,056; it expires on 9/30/2025. (AB2025-567) Authorized 7-0
193. Authorize the executive to accept a $193,147 federal grant for drug enforcement activities? The grant is from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The county applied for funding under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program. The grant funds a deputy II prosecutor and legal assistant. The grant reimburses 80 percent of the salaries and benefits. The expiration date is 12/31/2026. (AB2025-569) Authorized 7-0
194. Authorize the executive to accept a $1,721,200 state grant for reimbursements of Whatcom County Superior Court costs for two years of water adjudication? Each year’s reimbursement is $860,000 and it runs from 7/1/2025 to 6/30/2026 and from 7/1/2026 to 6/30/2027. The funding is for salaries, benefits and equipment; it does not include courtroom construction costs. (AB2025-573) Authorized 7-0
195. Authorize the acquisition of conservation easements on four properties? The conservation easement program preserves forest and farmland for habitat conservation and outdoor recreation purposes. The properties include: Sanfi Acres Canyon Creek property ($1,830,000; 610 acres); Sanfi Acres Maple Falls property ($840,000; 280 acres); Koblitz Red Mountain property ($768,000; 240 acres); and the Taylor property ($100,000; 14 acres). The total cost is $3,538,000; local funds are $657,000 from the Conservation Future Fund. AB2025-565 (Resolution 2025-023) Approved 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas, and Mark Stremler opposed.
196. Approve an application for open space assessment? State law gives property tax relief to open space designations and decreases the conversion of land to non-rural use. If the property is removed from the open space designation, it is subject to an additional tax equal to the difference between the tax paid on the current use value and the tax that would have been paid on that land, had it not been classified as open space. The additional tax is payable for the last seven years, plus interest. Reclassify 5.11 acres owned by Geri Lewis from open space farm and agriculture land to open space land. AB2025-533 (Resolution 2025-024) Approved 6-0, Todd Donovan temporarily absent.
197. Grant the Point Roberts Water District #4 and the Percie Road Water Association each a permit and the right of access to county right-of-way for activities supporting the provision of water services? (Public hearing held.) AB2025-485/487 (Ordinances 2025-041/042) Adopted 6-0, Todd Donovan temporarily absent.
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Action Taken at September 9, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
198. Review the final project performance for the Community Development Block Grant? The grant supports services to low- and moderate-income individuals and households across Whatcom, Island, and San Juan counties. The Whatcom County services are delivered by the Opportunity Council, in collaboration with regional community-based partners, in the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center. (Public hearing held.) (AB2025-546) Approved 7-0
199. Authorize the executive to sign a $256,228 contract (amendment #3) with the North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization of Mt. Vernon to fund the recovery navigator program to enhance LEAD programming? The original contract for $512,455 was authorized at the 4/12/2022 meeting, vote #98. This vote updates insurance language and increases funding. The total amended amount is $1,639,138. (AB2025-580) Authorized 7-0
200. Authorize the executive to sign a $118,780 contract (amendment #2) with the Whatcom Law Group/Rajeev Majumdar for 2026 hearing examiner services? The original contract for $220,230 was approved at the 12/5/2022 meeting, vote #355. Services include review and preparation for hearings, presiding over hearings, and preparation of written recommendations and decisions. The total amended contract is $344,600; it expires on 12/31/2026. (AB2025-582) Authorized 6-1 Tyler Byrd opposed.
201. Authorize the executive to accept a $1,174,000 grant (amendment #3) from the state Health Care Authority to provide funding for the Alternative Response Team (ART) Program? The ART program is a collaborative effort between law enforcement, emergency medical responders, and social services providers to reduce the impact of heavy consumers of these services through the creation of individualized plans. The contract expires on 6/302027; the total amended amount is $4,561,000. (AB2025-583) Authorized 7-0
202. Authorize the executive to accept a $130,768 state grant for the registered sex offender address and residency verification program? This grant with the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs is $3,099 below last year. The Registered Sex Offender Address Verification Program requires all sex/kidnapping offenders to register their addresses with the statewide database. This grant will fund personnel costs associated with verifying the address and residency of all registered sex offenders and kidnapping offenders. (AB2025-586) Authorized 7-0
203. Authorize the executive to sign a $194,198 contract with the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts to support mental health court? The funding will support a courtfocused probation officer, training expenses, recovery supports, and urinalysis testing. The contract expires on 6/30/2026. (AB2025-604) Authorized 7-0
204. Authorize the executive to accept a five-year $540,063 federal grant for an offender forestry work crew program? Whatcom County has provided the U.S. Forest Service with offender work crews to assist with projects within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest since 2003. The county will provide: equipment, repairs, work crew supervisor wages and insurance coverage, and other miscellaneous administrative and operational expenses for forestry projects in Skagit and Whatcom counties. The grant expires on 8/1/2030. (AB2025-606) Authorized 7-0
205. Authorize the executive to accept a $200,000 state grant for water rights adjudication? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The state Department of Ecology funding will provide outreach and filing assistance for water users in Watershed Resources Inventory Area No. 1 (WRIA 1). (AB2025- 607) Authorized 7-0
206. Authorize the executive to sign a $1,239,500 15-month contract with Trinity Services Group of Oldsmar, Florida, for jail food services? This contract is for the main jail and the work center. Juvenile Detention will have a separate contract. The contract expires on 12/31/2026. (AB2025-609) Authorized 7-0
207. Authorize the executive to sign a $58,694 contract (amendment #2) with Summit Construction Group of Bellingham for tenant improvements and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) replacement at the parks department administrative office and annex? The original contract for $856,256 was approved at the 5/27/2025 meeting, vote #113.The total amended contract is $999,950; it expires on 12/19/2025. (AB2025-611) Authorized 7-0
208. Approve the Economic Development Board’s 2026 recommendations? The board recommended five projects for a total funding of $5,305,300.The recommendations: Maple Falls Water Board storage tank replacement ($555,300 grant); Port of Bellingham Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park improvements ($2 million loan and $1 million grant); Bellingham Housing Authority Unity Street affordable housing ($1 million loan); Kulshan Land Trust LaFreniere Court affordable housing ($350,000 grant) and Kulshan Land Trust Telegraph affordable housing ($400,000 grant). (AB2025-612) Approved 7-0
208a. Add the Opportunity Council’s request ($1,386,485) for EDI funding for part II of Bellis Fair senior housing? Bellis Fair housing was on the EDI’s request list but the loan was not recommended. (AB2025-612) Approved 5-2, Tyler Byrd and Mark Stremler opposed.
209. Authorize the executive to sign a $258,720 contract with the state Department of Ecology to provide a six-member Washington Conservation Corps crew and supervisor? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The crew will assist Public Works with the installation and maintenance of native vegetation plantings in support of salmon recovery, fish passage, flood, stormwater, and road projects including mitigation and monitoring. The county continues to partner with the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association — it will will provide a minimum of $45,000 in reimbursement to the county. The contract expires on 9/30/2026. (AB2025-613) Authorized 7-0
210. Authorize the executive to accept a $1,466,580, state grant (amendment #1) with the state Health Care Authority to expand the operational capabilities of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion/Let Everyone Advance with Dignity (LEAD) Program? At the 5/5/2020 meeting, vote #71, the initial contract was awarded to implement the community-based diversion program intended to reduce justice involvement by individuals with behavioral health or substance use issues, and to operate as part of the GRACE program. The Ground Response and Coordinated Engagement (GRACE) program provides mobile health services in Whatcom County for the purposes of reducing overuse of emergency medical services. The total amended amount is $1,886,580 (AB2025-615) Authorized 7-0
211. Authorize the executive to accept a $2,350,000 state grant (amendment #1) from the state Health Care Authority to coordinate and implement prevention programs and strategies? The original grant for $1,320,000 was approved at the 7/25/2023 meeting, vote #187. This grant will fund substance use disorder prevention and mental health promotion services to individuals, families and communities. The total amended grant is $3,670,000; it expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2025-621) Authorized 7-0
212. Authorize the executive to sign a contract (amendment #4) with the Opportunity Council for operation of the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center? The Opportunity Council has operated the center since 2011 for low-income and disadvantaged residents in eastern Whatcom County. In 2025, funding will increase from $105,412 to $155,412 and in 2026 to $156,912. (AB2025-622) Substitute authorized 7-0
213. Authorize the executive to sign a $166,950 contract with Lydia Place to support the rehabilitation and remodel of a transitional housing facility for large families? Lydia Place is the owner of Gladstone House. The house was designed as transitional housing for eligible residents using a cooperative living model. This project retains the transitional housing model but converts the units to accommodate large families of five or more individuals – a significant unmet need in Whatcom County. (AB2025-624) Authorized 7-0
214. Approve updated business rules and changes promulgated by the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner? (Public hearing held.) On 5/19/2025, the Whatcom County Haring Examined announced the “Rules of Procedure for Proceedings before the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner.” AB2025-539 (Resolution 2025-025) Substitute approved 7-0
215. Establish regular council meeting dates for 2026? The Whatcom County Charter requires the council to meet 22 times per year. Meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, except for the first meeting in November which will be held on Wednesday. Meetings will be held twice per month, except for one in August and December. Meeting dates in September were changed. AB2025-584 (Resolution 2025-026) Amended and approved 7-0
216. Docket an additional comprehensive plan and zoning amendment? Allow agriculture storage (barns, silos, grain bins, cold storage or equipment sheds in an offsite location) as a permitted use. This vote is an addition to the five amendments that were docketed at the 3/25/2025 meeting, vote #80. AB2025-638 (Resolution 2025-027) Approved 7-0
217. Clarify the roles and duties of participants in the hearing examiner process? (Public hearing held.) The vote contains some minor changes designed to provide transparency and clarity for the public, attorneys, applicants, appellants, and other stakeholders who interact with the office of the hearing examiner. AB2025-537 (Ordinance 2025-043) Adopted 7-0
218. Clarify the authority of the hearing examiner? (Public hearing held.) These revisions are designed to match the practices and realities on the ground, including providing a foundation for authority the council has already given the hearing examiner, clarifying responsibilities that should be the county staff’s and not the hearing examiner’s, clarifying responsibilities, and accounting for unforeseen circumstances. AB2025-538 (Ordinance 2025-044) Substitute adopted 7-0
219. Amend the 2025 budget (request 9) in the amount of $956,986? Appropriate: $182,310 for the sewage systems action plan; $40,000 for election security improvements; $332,000 to fund easements for the Jacoby property; $100,000 to demolish two houses in Acme floodplain; $230,000 to fund jail detainees’ healthcare; $41,250 for swift water rescue training and equipment; $31,418 for incident management team equipment and training. AB2025-558 (Ordinance 2025-045) Adopted 7-0
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Executive, Satpal Singh Sidhu
360–778-5200 (phone), ssidhu@co.whatcom.wa.us
Term expires: January 2028
County Council
311 Grand Avenue #105, Bellingham, WA 98225
360–778-5010 (phone)
www.co.whatcom.wa.us.
council@co.whatcom.wa.us
At-Large, Position A, Barry Buchanan
360–224–4330, bbuchana@co.whatcom.wa.us
Term expires: January 2026
At-Large, Position B, John Scanlon
360-935-1523, jscanlon@co.whatcom.wa.us
Term expires: January 2028
District 1, Kaylee Galloway
360–303-1644, kgalloway@co.whatcom.wa.us
Term expires: January 2026
District 2, Todd Donovan
360–483–8474, tdonovan@co.whatcom.wa.us
Term expires: January 2026
District 3, Tyler Byrd
360–778-5021, tbyrd@co.whatcom.wa.us
Term expires: January 2026
District 4, Mark Stremler
360-935-1266, mstremler@co.whatcom.wa.us
Term expires: January 2028
District 5, Ben Elenbaas
360-778-5025, belenbaa@co.whatcom.wa.us
Term expires: January 2028
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