Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at September 23, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
220. Authorize the executive to accept a two-year $542,845 state grant to collect and properly manage household hazardous waste? Solid waste disposal activities have been funded by a state grant since 1996. The state Department of Ecology grant requires a county match of $180,948. A state and local total of $723,793 will be used to collect and properly manage 315,000 pounds of household hazardous waste. It will also support the disposal and recycling of moderate-risk solid waste at the county-owned Disposal of Toxics facility and the operation of three rural waste oil and antifreeze collection stations. The grant expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2025-647) Authorized 7-0
221. Authorize the executive to accept a two-year $237,068 state grant for solid waste management compliance and litter and/ or illegal dumping enforcement activities? The state Department of Ecology grant requires a county match of $79,023. Solid waste disposal activities have been funded by a state grant since 1996. A state and local total of $316,091 will support activities conducted by the county health department including the inspections and review of groundwater data, the issuance or renewal of permits, and the provision of oversight and technical assistance. The grant expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2025-648) Authorized 7-0
222. Authorize the executive to accept a $283,000 state grant for climate planning activities? The state Department of Commerce grant will fund up to $86,000 in reimbursement for county staff time spent in technical review, tribal consultation, committee engagement, and on the periodic review of the Growth Management Act due on 12/31/2025. The remaining $215,000 will fund the county share of the Lake Whatcom Climate Vulnerability Assessment costs. The climate planning funds will be applied to staff time reimbursement, as well as climate modeling. The grant expires on 12//31/2025. (AB2025-649) Authorized 7-0
223. Authorize the executive to accept a three-year $443,750 state grant with for Puget Sound recovery? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The state Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) grant (including federal funds) is for the Whatcom Local Integrating Organization. The WRIA 1 Watershed Management Board acts as Local Integrating Organization. Firstyear funding is $143,750, and years two and three are $150,000 each. This grant provides funds for tasks related to 1) developing and updating action plans and other local plans (e.g., ecosystem recovery plans), 2) coordinating local and regional planning, investments, and implementation efforts, 3) engaging partners in the Local Integrating Organization, including tribes, local and state agencies, and community stakeholders, and 4) tracking progress and communicating results toward ecosystem recovery. The grant expires on 9/30/2028. (AB2025-650) Authorized 5-2, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
224. Authorize the executive to sign a joint-funding agreement with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for stream flow monitoring and water quality data collection at 10 Nooksack watershed stream gages? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The federal government will contribute $52,620; the county’s share will be $127,940. The total agreement amount is $180,560 and the grant expires on 9/30/2026. (AB2025-651) Authorized 7-0
225. Authorize the executive to sign a contract to reimburse the state of Washington $109,340 for vegetation maintenance activities at various riparian and wetland mitigation sites? The contract will support Washington Conservation Corps’ crews for 71 days of native riparian vegetation restoration activities at capital project mitigation sites in Birch Bay, at the Northwest Annex, and at East Hemmi Road/Tenmile Creek. The contract expires on 9/30/2026. (AB2025-652) Authorized 7-0
226. Authorize the executive to sign a joint-funding agreement with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the county’s 11 stream gages within the Nooksack River, Jones Creek, and the Sumas River for early flood warning and flood response? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The federal government will contribute $9,160 and the county’s share will be $167,295 for a grand total of $176,455. The City of Abbotsford will be reimbursed $4,100 in county funds for the overflow station on Everson’s Main Street. The total amount is $176,455 and it expires on 9/30/2026. (AB2025-653) Authorized 7-0
227. Authorize the executive to sign a $102,171 contract with the Washington State Administrative office of the Courts for language interpretation services? The contract will provide reimbursement for 50 percent of eligible costs related to interpreter expenses for court proceedings or administrative hearings. The contract does not expire and the state appropriation will continue. (AB2025-655) Authorized 7-0
228. Confirm the executive’s appointment of Andrew Davis to the Whatcom County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee? The purpose of the committee is to assist the county in the planning, funding, development, and implementation of facilities and programs to increase the use of bicycle and pedestrian travel as modes of transportation. Andrew Davis is retired and an active volunteer with Bellingham Senior Activity Center. (AB2025-659) Confirmed 7-0
229. Authorize the executive to sign a $403,490 contract with Hargis Engineers of Seattle to provide consultation related to Clean Building Performance Standard (CBPS) compliance for Whatcom County facilities? State law enacted in 2019 requires commercial buildings of a certain size to meet energy performance targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency or incur financial penalties. The contract expires on 12/13/2026. (AB2025-662) Authorized 7-0
230. Approve regular and special standing 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 are held twice per month, except for one in August and December. The council meets six times during the year and on the same day as the health board and the special committee of the whole. (AB2025-585) Approved 6-0-1, Tyler Byrd abstained.
231. Amend the 2025 Flood Control Zone District and Subzones budgets (request #3) in the amount of $105,000? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) Appropriated: $5,000 to meet increased labor costs in the Samish sub-zone; $100,000 for water rights adjudication technical assistance from state grants. AB2025-608 (Resolution 2025-028 ) Approved 7-0
232. Approve the updated Whatcom County Coordinated Water System Plan? (Public hearing held at August 8 meeting.) State law requires counties to review, solicit public feedback, and update as needed their water system plans to ensure they are consistent with the Growth Management Act. This resolution incorporates public comment themes into the Coordinated Water System Plan final draft. AB2025-640 (Resolution 2025-029 ) Substitute amended and approved 6–0-1, Todd Donovan abstained.
233. Approve a revision to the corporate boundaries of the City of Lynden? The revision includes a portion of the Flynn Road right-of-way mistakenly excluded from an annexation ordinance by the Lynden City Council in 2018. AB2025-579 (Resolution 2025-030) Approved 6–0, Todd Donovan temporarily absent.
234. Establish an initial $710,000 project-based budget for the Jail Reentry Improvements Project? The budget will account for project costs related to video surveillance, wireless internet infrastructure, medical and security monitoring for inmates, and updating key control systems. The county has been awarded a $2.5 million grant and has received $1.1 million. County funds will be used until the rest of the grant money has been received. AB2025-614 (Ordinance 2025-046) Adopted 7-0
235. Amend the 2025 budget (request #10) in the amount of $1,820,416? Expenditures: $112,700 for deputy sheriff wellness programs; $62,961 for child support services due to taking on Skagit and San Juan cases; $500,000 for conflict assignments and overflow cases for indigent defendants; $130,000 for housing and other public services; $74,045 for 911 communications and operations; $178,000 for EMS dispatch services; $200,000 to fund phase II of Stewart Mountain Community Forest; $148,000 to fund administrative change for four food insecurity contracts; $250,000 for completion of state-required climate planning activities. There are eight additional expenditures under $50,000 that total $164,710. AB2025-628 (Ordinance 2025-047) Adopted 5-2, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
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Action Taken at October 7, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
236. Fill a vacancy on the Forest Advisory Committee? The purpose of the committee is to provide review and recommendations to the county council on issues that affect the forestry industry. Appointed: Shelby Beam, who is employed as a forester with Janicki Logging & Construction. (AB2025-641) Approved 7-0
237. Authorize the executive to accept a $393,195 state grant for staffing costs for the Nurse Family Partnership Program? The purpose of the state Department of Children, Youth and Family grant: to ensure healthy birth weights; support children and youth in developing healthy relationships with parents/caregivers; and to support the ability of parents/caregivers to meet the needs of children/youth. The program provides home visits, education, and outreach for at-risk, first-time mothers. A local match is not required and the contract expires on 7/31/2026. (AB2025-669) Authorized 7-0
238. Authorize the executive to sign a $105,000 contract with Geosyntec Consultants of Boca Raton, Florida, to provide technical assistance for the Nooksack Basin water adjudication process? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) In 2025, the state Department of Ecology began a water rights adjudication process in the Water Resource Inventory Area 1/Nooksack Basin in which landowners who use surface or groundwater will be required to file a claim form within one year of receiving a summons and self-report details about their historical and current water use. The contract will provide public outreach and support services to ensure timely and accurate claims. The contract expires on 6/30/2026. (AB2025-671) Authorized 7-0
239. Authorize the executive to sign a $50,000 contract (amendment #2) with GeoTest Services of Bellingham for on-call materials testing and inspection services for county Public Works projects? At the 4/9/2024 meeting, vote #89, the council approved the original $200,000 contract. The purpose of the amendment is to increase the dollar amount and complete the remaining Public Works projects in 2025. The total amended contract is $250,000; it expires on 12/31/2025. (AB2025-675) Authorized 7-0
240. Confirm the executive’s appointment of Deon Wolfenbarger to the Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Commission? The purpose of the commission is to advise the county parks director on parks, recreation, and senior services. Deon Wolfenbarger is a historic preservation planner and consultant. (AB2025-681) Confirmed 7-0
241. Authorize the executive to sign a 10-year $135,841 contract with Squalicum Mountain Holdings of Bellingham to install two microwave dishes on a radio tower on Squalicum Mountain? The contract will allow for the addition of radio coverage to Lake Whatcom through the installation of a UHF antenna, a repeater and routers. The contract expires on 10/31/2035. (AB2025-683) Authorized 7-0
242. Authorize the executive to sign a $200,000 contract with the Whatcom Land Trust to provide funding from the Conservation Futures Fund to acquire 1,616 acres of land as part of phase 2 of the Stewart Mountain Community Forest project? At 8/6/2025 meeting, vote #189, the council approved a $5,517,000 grant from the state Department of Ecology for the purchase of 1,616 acres of land. At the 9/9/2025 meeting, the council approved a motion to have the Whatcom Land Trust serve as the owner of the Stewart Mountain Community Forest and develop a forest governing board. This contract will allow the Whatcom Land Trust to move ahead with acquisition of the land. The expiration date is 10/31/2025. (AB2025-691) Authorized 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
243. Authorize the executive to sign a $159,063 contract with Communications NorthWest of Oregon City, Oregon, to configure, install and provide point-to-point microwave network installations? The is part 4 of the Whatcom County Integrated Public Safety Radio System. The contract will extend communication coverage from Squalicum Mountain to Lookout Mountain to Post Point in Bellingham. It will provide a redundant ring that will ensure continued communications in the event of a failure of any single tower or fiber optic line. The contract expires on 11/30/2025. (AB2025-698) Authorized 7-0
244. Appoint three council members to the Joint Advisory Workgroup for planning purposes during the design and construction of the new jail and behavioral care center? (AB2025-699) Appointed: Barry Buchanan (7 votes), Kaylee Galloway (7 votes), and Ben Elenbaas (4 votes).
245. Authorize the executive to sign a $145,993 contract with Ferndale Community Services to operate a severe weather shelter in Ferndale? The shelter will provide overnight refuge to up to 15 people who are outside of Bellingham city limits during dangerous weather conditions. The contract expires on 9/30/2026. (AB2025-704) Authorized 7-0
246. Declare Whatcom County real property as surplus and approve a transfer? (Public hearing held.) State law permits local authorities to declare county-owned properties as surplus and approve transfers of such. The county property management committee has declared that the property located near the intersection of Jensen Road and Agate Bay Lane has no further utility to the public and can be transferred to the City of Bellingham for the appraised and value of $15,000 and all closing costs. AB2025-597 (Resolution 2025-031) Approved 7-0
247. Accept the Forest Resilience Plan? At the 10/10/2023 meeting, vote # 284, the council establish the Forest Resilience Task Force for the purpose of developing a comprehensive county forest resilience plan that incorporates input from federal, local, state, and tribal governments and other relevant stakeholders. This is the task force’s draft plan and commits the Whatcom County Council to ongoing work related to forest resilience. The Forest Advisory Committee shall continue to provide recommendations to the council upon request. AB2025-603 (Resolution 2025-032) Substitute amended and approved 7-0
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Action Taken at October 21, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
248. Confirm the executive’s appointment of Michael Byers to the Agricultural Advisory Committee? The committee provides review and recommendations to the council on issues that affect agriculture. It also provides a forum for farmers and others interested in enhancing and promoting the long-term viability of county agriculture. Michael Byers is an author of three books of fiction and a former professor of English who farms on Lummi Island. (AB2025-705) Confirmed 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
249. Authorize the executive to accept two $600,000 federal grants? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The grants will elevate 27 homes impacted by the November 2021 flood. Each homeowner will be required to pay 5 percent of the total cost. The expiration date is 11/15/2028. (AB2025-727) Authorized 7-0
250. Authorize the executive to sign a $1,813,929 contract (amendment #1) with the Opportunity Council to administer the Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) Program? The original contract for $3,409,883 was approved at the 6/24/2025 meeting, vote #160. This contract is grant funded. The HEN program provides funding to counties for rent and utility assistance, essential needs items, and case management for county residents with established eligibility through the Whatcom Homeless Service Center. The purpose of this amendment is to update program eligibility criteria, revise reporting language and update reporting requirements. The total amended contract is $5,223,812; it expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2025-728) Authorized 7-0
251. Confirm the executive’s appointment of Matt Hargleroad to the Parks and Recreation Commission? The purpose of the commission is to advise the parks and recreation director on parks, recreation, and senior services. Matt Hargleroad is currently employed at BP Cherry Point, facilitates the Bellingham Gravel Riders bicycle group, and co-chairs the cyclocross leg of Ski to Sea. (AB2025-729) Confirmed 7-0
252. Confirm the executive’s appointment of JG Sandy Phillips to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee? The purpose of the committee is to assist the county in the planning, funding, development and implementation of facilities and programs to increase safety and use of bicycle and pedestrian travel in the county. JG Sandy Phillips is a former committee member (6/2021 to 12/2024) of this committee. (AB2025-731) Confirmed 7-0
253. Approve the six-year (2026-2031) transportation improvement program? (Public hearing held) The council approved the 2025-2030 plan at the 9/24/2024 meeting, vote #269. State law requires counties to annually update their transportation plans. The plan establishes a list of needed capital improvements and eligibility for state and federal funds and sets the rate for impact fees. Updates also include the 14-year capital ferry improvement plan. AB2025-672 (Resolution 2025-033) Approved 7-0
254. Adopt the 2026 annual road construction program? (Public hearing held) The road construction program (also called the annual construction program) is identical to the first year of the six-year transportation improvement plan, which was approved at the previous vote. Expenditures in county funds are estimated at $5,083,000 and the grand total is estimated at $12,120,000 for 35 projects. AB2025-673 (Resolution 2025-034) Approved 7-0
255. Amend the 2025 Flood Control Zone District and Subzones budget (request #4) in the amount of $49,400? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The purpose of the amendment is to add funding to complete additional water quality program tasks. AB2025-680 (Resolution 2025-035) Approved 7-0
256. Amend the Comprehensive Plan relating to countywide planning policies? (Public hearing held.) The state Growth Management Act requires counties to adopt countywide planning policies in cooperation with cities within the county. These amendments address buildable lands, climate change and resiliency, economic development and employment, housing, impact fees, intergovernmental cooperation, open space and greenbelt corridors, public involvement, rural areas, transportation, public facilities, tribal cultural resources, urban growth areas, and water quality and quantity. AB2025-637 (Ordinance 2025-049) Adopted 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas, and Mark Stremler opposed.
257. Add $2,960,000 in expenditure authority (request #9) the project-based budget for new public health, safety and justice (jail) facilities? At the 1/29/2013 meeting, vote #22, the council established a new jail project fund for new public health, safety, and justice facilities. A referendum to fund new facilities failed twice and passed the third time at the 2023 general election. The purpose of this amendment is to fund on-site wetland mitigation. The total cost of wetland mitigation work is estimated at $3 million, which includes the cost of an easement, creation and enhancement work, and review by the United State Army Corps of Engineers and Washington State Department of Ecology. The total amended project-based budget is $18,798,524. AB2025-678 (Ordinance 2025-050) Substitute adopted 7-0
258. Establish an initial budget of $300,000 for the Silver Lake Lagoon Project Fund? The project will demolish the existing lagoon bridge (build in the 1970s) at Silver Lake Park and re-route a trail to maintain connectivity to the park’s cabin, lodge and day-use areas. The replacement cost of the bridge is estimated to be substantial and cannot be justified at this time. AB2025-682 (Ordinance 2025-051) Adopted 7-0
259. Amend the 2025 budget (request #11) in the amount of $517,671? Appropriated: $217,671 for the Whatcom County jail; $300,000 to fund the real estate excise tax II. AB2025-685 (Ordinance 2025-052) Adopted 7-0
