Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at April 14, 2026 Meeting
Shall the council:
88. Fill two vacancies on the Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee? The vacancies are behavioral health provider and criminal legal system user position. The committee’s purpose is to monitor progress towards the new jail and behavioral health center projects, ensure public engagement and communications, and contribute to the annual report to the County Council. There were four applicants for behavioral health provider: Keren Gott, Margery Dunkle, Jennifer Zander, and Ajreea Johnson. Appointed to the position with six votes was Keren Gott. She is the director of social services at the didgálič Wellness Center. There was one applicant for legal system user: Cesar Luna. Appointed to the position with seven votes was Cesar Luna. In his application, he listed his occupation as a barber and that his life experience brings a perspective that is needed. (AB2026-178/221)
89. Fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission? The commission’s purpose is to assist the county planning and development services department. There were three applicants: Lindsey Elenbaas, Gurdeep Bains, Jeremy Thompson. Appointed to the position with four votes was Jeremy Thompson. He is the owner of Thompson Serenity Stables, which is an equestrian facility providing instruction, boarding, and rehabilitation. (AB2026-232)
90. Authorize the executive to sign a $636,305 contract (amendment #3) with the Bellingham Food Bank to purchase and distribute diapers, wipes, infant formula, and food to low-income families with children? At the 8/6/2024 meeting, vote #221, the council approved the original contract for $867,668. The products will be distributed by members of the Whatcom County Food Bank Network to the following: Bellingham, Birchwood (Food Desert Fighters), Blaine, Ferndale, Deming (Foothills), Everson Nooksack, Nooksack, Lynden (Project Hope), Nooksack Tribal, Western Washington University, Bellingham Technical College, Whatcom Community College, Agape (seasonal farmworkers) and the Salvation Army. The purpose of the amendment is to extend the contract by one year. The total amended contract is in the amount of $1,503,993; it expires on 5/15/2027. (AB2026-256) Approved 7-0
91. Authorize the executive to sign an $851,350 contract with the Housing Authority of the City of Bellingham to fund capital expenses for the development of the Samish Commons Early Learning Center? The contract will support the creation of 40 childcare slots on the ground floor of the Samish Commons housing development (owned by the Samish Way Family Housing LLLP and leased by the Housing Authority of the City of Bellingham). No less than 25 percent of the childcare slots will be reserved for children from households that have an income of 85 percent or lower than the current state medium income. The contract expires on 9/30/2036. (AB2026-270) Authorized 7-0
92. Authorize the executive to accept a $2,738,000 state grant to fund advance planning work to evaluate and implement flood mitigation alternatives for the lower Nooksack River and the Everson-Sumas overflow corridor? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The state Department of Ecology grant also provides funding to support technical and policy engagement in the transboundary flood initiative and public outreach. It encompasses technical analyses of river geomorphic change, inclusive process facilitation, community outreach, partner coordination across the Nooksack Floodplain Integrated Planning process team. The grant does not require a local match. It expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2026-277) Authorized 7-0
93. Authorize the executive to accept a $1,536,333 federal grant to fund the Lummi Island ferry operating costs? Funding will also include maintenance costs, staffing, regular maintenance of vessel or facility, fuel, periodic inspections, certifications or permits, such as required by the U.S. Coast Guard or disposable supplies. The grant requires a local 20 percent match of $384,583 for a total of $1,920,916. The grant expires on 12/31/2030. (AB2026-294) Authorized 7-0
94. Confirm the executive’s appointment of Deborah Arthur as deputy executive/administrative services director? She replaces Aly Pennucci, and, prior to the appointment served as county emergency medical services administrator. Prior to county employment, she worked for Western Washington University. The appointment is effective 4/13/2026. (AB 2026-302) Authorized 7-0
95. Select councilmembers Ben Elenbaas and Jon Scanlon to participate in the executive’s hiring process for a medical examiner? Beginning in 1992, the office of county medical examiner became a contracted position. Dr. Gary Goldfogel retired in 2021; he had served as the county medical examiner since 1992. At the 12/7/2021 meeting, vote #309, Dr. Alison Hunt, the owner of Hunt Forensics, was confirmed as the new county medical examiner. The contract with Hunt Forensics was terminated after a report revealed that bodies in the care of the medical examiner’s office were improperly stored. At the 5/21/2024 meeting, vote #141, the council voted to designate the medical examiner a county employee. A primary reason for the designation was more accountability to the county. At the 11/6/2024 meeting, vote #308, the council confirmed Dr. Aldo Fusaro as the county medical examiner. At the 12/3/2024 meeting, vote #386, the council established a medical examiner department, effective 1/1/2025. Dr. Fusaro was fired for unknown reasons; his last day of employment was 1/9/2026. (AB2026-309) Appointed 7-0
96. Authorize a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for public safety purposes? (Public hearing held.) State law permits qualifying cities and counties to apply a one-tenth of one percent sales tax (a public vote is not required) to support public safety purposes. Revenue from the tax will support jail health and food services, lease payments for the new sheriff ’s office location, and labor costs. AB2026-255 (Ordinance 2026-020) Adopted 5-2, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
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Action Taken at April 28, 2026 Meeting
Shall the council:
97. Authorize the executive to accept a $2,244,875 state grant for the restoration planning, partner coordination, and restoration activities in the Nooksack riparian corridor? Activities will include the analysis and further development of landowner incentive programs for participation in riparian buffer restoration projects. The grant expires on 7/31/2029. (AB2026-055) Authorized 7-0
98. Authorize the executive to sign a $60,000 contract (amendment #29) with Washington State University (WSU) to continue the jointly shared costs for faculty positions and program support for WSU Whatcom Extension? The purpose of this amendment is to add funding to support opioid-use prevention activities in the Blaine and Birch Bay communities. Whatcom County fatal overdoses increased nearly 50 percent from 2022 to 2023, and nonfatal overdoses have increased significantly as well. The total amended contract is $3,885,051; it expires on 12/31/2026. (AB2026-264) Authorized 7-0
99. Authorize the executive to sign a $165,000 contract (amendment #2) with Pacific Security (Parker Corporate Services) of Bellingham to continue security services at the Whatcom County Courthouse? At the 2/25/2025 meeting, vote #38, the council approved the original contract for $222,416. The purpose of the amendment is to increase the compensation. The total amended contract is $477,416; it expires on 6/30/2026. (AB2026-301) Authorized 7-0
100. Authorize the executive to sign a $436,902 contract with the Kulshan Community Land Trust for the development of eight permanently affordable townhomes? The homes are the last phase of the 24-home Telegraph Townhome development in the King Mountain neighborhood of Bellingham. Phase 1D will deliver eight energy-efficient, townhomes developed through a partnership between Habitat for Humanity of Whatcom County and Kulshan Community Land Trust. The contract expires on 9/30/2028. (AB2026-312) Authorized 7-0
101. Authorize the executive to accept a $425,000 state grant for a multimodal trail plan for the “Bay to Baker” Trail connecting the foothill communities of rural Whatcom County between Kendall and Glacier? The study will include community outreach, targeting in particular under-represented communities. The completed plan will include a preferred path route, pathway design standards, targeted acquisitions, and cost estimates. The grant requires a local match of $90,700 for a total project cost of $515,700. The grant expires on 12/31/2027. (AB2026-317) Authorized 7-0
102. Appoint Councilmember Jon Scanlon as an alternate representative to the Northwest Clean Air Agency? The agency is responsible for enforcing federal, state, and local air quality regulations at stationary sources of air pollution. (AB2026-318). Appointed 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed and Barry Buchanan absent.
103. Authorize the executive to sign a $290,676.84 contract (amendment #1) with Peace Centers of Bellingham to maintain a coordinated system of licensed drop-in childcare within Whatcom County? At the 1/25/2025 meeting, vote #22, the council approved the original contract for $499,921. The purpose of the amendment is to extend the length of the contract by six months and to update the scope of work and reporting requirements. The total amended contract is $790,598; it expires on 10/31/2026. (AB2026-329) Authorized 7-0
104. Authorize the executive to sign a $291,676 contract with the Opportunity Council to provide funding for capital and operational expenses for the Cedar Commons Early Learning Center? The center will be located at the Bellis Fair Family Housing apartments (the total projected cost is approximately $3,580,960). It will create childcare slots for 70 children, with 25 percent being reserved for eligible families with low incomes. The childcare facility is to be owned and operated by Bellis Fair Early Learning LLC; the Opportunity Council is the manager and controlling member of the company. The contract expires on 12/31/2027. (AB2026-331) Authorized 7-0
105. Authorize the executive to sign a $3,603,879 contract with Seattle Foundation to provide funding for projects that further the goals and objectives of the Trueblood Settlement Agreement? The Trueblood et al v. Washington State Department of Social & Health Services class action lawsuit found unconstitutional delays in the state providing mental health competency evaluations and restorative services for individuals in jail. The lawsuit was settled in 2018 and funding from the Whatcom County’s share of the settlement will be passed through to the Lake Whatcom Treatment Center in order to secure a 25-year restrictive covenant on 11 units at their Lincoln Street Studio complex, as well as other costs. The contract expires on 4/15/2031. (AB2026-334) Authorized 7-0
106. Authorize the executive to sign a $1,386,485 contract with the Opportunity Council to provide funding for the second phase of the low-income Bellis Fair Housing development? The development is a 64-unit low-income apartment complex for seniors aged 62 and older. Of the units, four will have two bedrooms, fifty-seven ( 57) will have one bedroom, and three will be studio apartments. In addition to the 64 units, the project includes an onsite community space, a health and wellness center, and space for service providers. The contract expires on 12/31/2028. AB2026-335) Authorized 6-1, Mark Stremler opposed.
107. Order the cancellation of unredeemed checks (warrants) issued before 7/1/2024? Washington state law allows for the cancellation of checks unredeemed within one year of their issue. There are a total of 796 uncashed checks (warrants) totaling $56,655 that were written to various businesses, groups, and individuals. Whatcom County has 750 uncashed checks totaling $47,211. There are 15 cemetery, fire, library, park, and water districts with 46 uncashed checks totaling $9,444. The largest uncashed county check is for $3,425. Water District 4 has an uncashed check for $1,500. The money will be held for one year and then transferred to the state of Washington as abandoned property, where it will be available to the payee indefinitely. AB2026-212 (Resolution 2026-011) Approved 7-0
108. Amend the 2026 Flood Control Zone District and Subzones budget (request #1) in the amount of $23,406? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) Appropriated: $23,406 for natural resources staff assigned to the Nooksack Riparian Resilience Project. AB2026-292 (Resolution 2026-012) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
109. Authorize the submission of three state grant applications to the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The state board accepts proposals for projects to remove barriers that prevent salmon and steelhead from swimming upstream. The three grants would fund restoration of fish passage at the Black Slough and Homesteader culverts and complete the final design and permitting of the Tinling Creek culvert project. AB2026-295 (Resolution 2026-013) Approved 7-0
110. Approve an application for open use space assessment? Classify 38.64 acres owned by Ken and Carolyn Lane as open space land. State law gives property tax relief to open space designations and decreases the conversion of land to non-rural uses. 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. AB2026-330 (Resolution 2026-014) Substitute approved 7-0
111. Require the use of best management practices within the Whatcom County for stormwater pollution prevention? (Public hearing held.) This ordinance gives the county authority to inspect existing properties and businesses within the Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit area to ensure that best management practices for reducing pollutants in stormwater are being implemented. AB2026-281 (Ordinance 2026-021) Substitute adopted 7-0
112. Amend the 2026 budget (request #7) in the amount of $23,290,457? Appropriated: $1,319,142 transferred to opioid special revenue fund; $862,906 to fund agriculture easements for the Nooksack Riparians Resilience Project; $190,000 to fund childcare stabilization efforts; $4,212,800 to fund four approved childcare capital projects; $152,876 to fund FIFA World Cup security using grant funds; $3,384,844 to fund Trueblood Class Member housing (see vote 105); $1,747,440 to fund early learning and care projects; $3,775,795 to fund vulnerable children’s contracts; $105,000 to fund Courthouse boiler replacement; $2,296,777 to fund Meridian/Birchwood roundtable project; $3 million to fund Old Town Urban Village improvements; $1 million to fund Bear Creek corridor mitigation bank; $515,700 to fund Bay to Baker Trail. There were 12 additional appropriations under $100,000 totaling $576,988. AB2026-209 (Ordinance 2026-022) Adopted 7-0
113. Amend membership and structure in the EMS Oversight Board and EMS Technical Advisory Board? These amendments will clarify board membership and align code with current practice. AB2026-291 (Ordinance 2026-023) Substitute adopted 7-0
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Whatcom County Council
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