Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at November 5, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
260. Authorize the executive to sign a $22,896,000 contract with Correctional Healthcare Partners of Spokane for the provision of healthcare services? The contractor will provide medical, pharmacy, dental , behavioral health, and nursing services at the main jail, work center and nursing services at juvenile detention. The contract expires on 12/31/2028. (AB2025-730) Substitute authorized 7-0
261. Authorize the executive to sign a $298,741 contract with Parametrix of Seattle to develop a comprehensive subwatershed master plan as an addendum to the 2008 Lake Whatcom comprehensive stormwater plan? The plan will identify runoff treatment options to address key environmental, hydrological, and land use challenges within the West Geneva and North Shore subwatershed areas. The contract expires on 12/31/2027. (AB2025- 740) Authorized 7-0
262. Authorize the executive to sign a $100,000 contract with the City of Bellingham to provide partial funding for Whatcom County’s 2025-2026 severe weather shelter? Whatcom County will pay the first $450,000 and the city and county will equally share the next $200,000, up to $650,000, after which the county will pay any remaining costs. The shelter will house approximately 60 individuals and be opened when overnight low temperatures are forecast to be 32 degrees or lower. The contract expires on 4/30/2026. (AB2025- 741) Authorized 7-0
263. Authorize the executive to sign a $136,200 contract with Marysville Fire District for the provision of the paramedic training program? The Marysville Fire District will pay the county for the costs of student participation. The contract will fund paramedic training program costs for three Marysville fire firefighter/EMTs in a class administered by the Bellingham Fire Department. The contract expires 12/31/2026. (AB2025-743) Authorized 7-0
264. Authorize the executive to sign a $291,068 three-year contract with Geneva Consulting Services of Bellingham to support coordination of the Whatcom Local Integrating Organization (LIO)? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) Contracted support services include watershed management board meeting coordination and facilitation, information and outreach material provision, and website maintenance. The contract expires on 9/30/2028. (AB2025-747) Authorized 6-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.
265. Fill a vacancy on the Public Health Advisory Board? The purpose of the board is to advise the county health department on all issues related to the department and its programs. Appointed: Alan Lifson is a retired medical doctor and epidemiologist. (AB2025-748) Approved 5-2, Tyler Byrd and Todd Donovan temporarily absent.
266. Authorize the executive to accept a $252,000 state grant to fund administrative and project support for the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The executive-appointed committee’s purpose is to address local marine issues and recommend remedial action to local authorities. Projects to be supported include harmful algal bloom monitoring, bull kelp and forage fish spawning surveys, and a pilot Olympia oyster restoration site in Drayton Harbor The grant does not require a county match. It expires on 9/30/2027. (AB2025-753) Authorized 7-0
267. Authorize the executive to accept a $130,000 federal pass-through grant for the provision of public services? The services will be provided by the Opportunity Council and will benefit approximately 5,000 individuals with low to moderate incomes residing in Island, San Juan, and Whatcom counties. The grant expires on 6/30/2026. (AB2025-759) Authorized 7-0
268. Authorize the executive to sign a $555,446 contract (amendment #1) with Catholic Community Services to provide on-site supportive services and housing at Francis Place? At the 6/24/2025 meeting, vote #150, the council approved the original $277,723 contract. Francis Place is a 42-unit apartment building that provides permanent supportive housing services for individuals exiting homelessness and navigating physical and/or mental health diagnoses. The purpose of the amendment is to extend the contract for one year. The total amended contract is $833,169; it expires on 12/31/2026. (AB2025-762) Authorized 7-0
269. Authorize the executive to sign two contracts — totaling $1,353,979 — with Whatcom Fire Protection District 7 ($345,537, two students) and the City of Bellingham ($1,008,442, four students) for the provision of the 2025–2027 paramedic training program? The City of Bellingham will administer the training program. The contracts will provide for the disbursement of EMS levy funds for the reimbursement of City of Bellingham costs. The contracts expire on 3/31/2027. (AB2025-742/764) Authorized 5-2, Tyler Byrd and Mark Stremler opposed.
270. Authorize the executive to accept a $500,000 state grant for the purchase of a forestry conservation easement on the Canyon Creek Forest property? The state Recreation and Conservation Office grant funds 30 percent of the purchase, with remaining costs to be provided by the Whatcom County Conservation Futures Fund (25 percent) and the Natural Resource Conservation Service Regional Conservation Partnership Program (45 percent). The total project cost is $1,639,000 and property acquired is 551 acres. The grant expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2025-765) Authorized 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas, and Mark Stremler opposed.
271. Authorize the executive to sign a $126,500 contract with the Opportunity Council for a federal pass-through grant to deliver public services to approximately 5,000 low-and moderate income residents? The services include early childhood education, food resources, energy assistance programs, and homeless housing and prevention screening through the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center, Island and San Juan counties. The contract expires on 6/30/2026. (AB2025-766) Authorized 7-0
272. Confirm the executive’s appointment of Laura Hanna to the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee? The purpose of the committee is to address marine issues and recommend remedial action to local authorities. Laura Hanna is currently a master’s degree student in marine and estuarine sciences at Western Washington University. (AB2025-772) Approved 5-2, Tyler Byrd and Todd Donovan temporarily absent.
273. Authorize the executive to accept a $1,212,500 state grant for court facility projects related to the Nooksack water adjudication process? Projects include renovations to the existing courthouse to create a new courtroom on the fifth floor of the courthouse for a water commissioner/office space and move a superior court judge and staff to the third floor. The Information Technology Division will be moved to 311 Grand Avenue. The grant expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2025- 775) Authorized 7-0
274. Authorize the executive to sign a $144,849 three-year contract with Century Link Communications, LLC dba Lumen Technologies Group (CenturyLink) for telecommunication equipment and services? Equipment and services include access lines, emergency 911 and long distance services, and 2,222 unique phone numbers used by the county government. The contract expires on 2/2/2029. (AB2025-777) Authorized 7-0
275. Authorize the executive to sign an eight-year contract with Ryanna LLC of Bellingham for the relocation of the sheriff’s office? The building is approximately 29,970 square feet and located at 4600 Ryzex Way in Bellingham’s Cordata neighborhood. The rent for the first year will be $507,132, and it will be adjusted annually at 3.75 percent. The county will also be responsible for taxes, insurance, operating and maintenance costs bringing the total estimated annual cost to $750,000. There will be a one-time expense of $1.5 million to make the space fully operational. The property owner will donate $100,000 in office furniture to the sheriff ’s department. The lease will expire on 12/31/2033; extensions will be available to 2037. (AB2025- 782) Authorized 6-1, Todd Donovan abstained.
276. Authorize the executive to sign a $441,159 three-year contract with Euna Solutions of Chicago, Illinois, to purchase budget and reporting software? This is an amended piggyback contract with Pierce County. The software will replace a 20-year-old system with limited functionality. The first-year costs are $232,931, the second and third years are $99,588 for software subscription fees. This is an ongoing contract but initially expires on 11/6/2028. (AB2025-787) Substitute authorized 7-0
277. Adopt the six-year (2026-2031) water resources improvement program? (Public hearing held: council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) At the 9/24/2024 meeting, vote #267, the council approved the 2025-2030 plan. State law requires counties to annually update their six-year water resources improvement programs. The program includes projects that address flood management, salmon recovery, sediment/debris flow issues, and stormwater plans. AB2025- 676 (Resolution 2025-036) Approved 5-2, Todd Donovan and Ben Elenbaas opposed.
278. Approve $3,568,390 from the lodging tax fund for tourism promotion, events and festival’s and capital project applications? There were 31 applications and 22 were approved by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. See below for the names and amounts of approved requests. AB2025-770 (Resolution 2025-037) Approved 7-0
279. Approve an application for open space? The application by Collin Stevens is for 30.2 acres of property located at 2351 E. Pole Road and to be classified as Open Space land. The property is encumbered by a conservation easement titled the “Kronenberg Conservation Easement” held by the Whatcom Land Trust. AB2025-769 (Resolution 2025-038) Substitute approved 5-2, Tyler Byrd and Todd Donovan temporarily absent.
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Action Taken at November 18, 2025 Meeting
Shall the council:
280. Authorize the executive to sign a $282,257 contract (amendment #28) with Washington State University to continue the jointly shared costs for faculty positions and program support for WSU Whatcom County Extension? The original contract was signed on 9/22/1999 and is renewed yearly. The total amended contract is in the amount of $3,825,051; it expires 12/31/2026. (AB2025-791) Authorized 7-0
281. Authorize the executive to sign a $140,133 contract (amendment #1) with K2 Towers III of Chagrin Falls, Ohio? At the 3/23/2021 meeting, vote #71, the council approved the original $111,000 contract to provide access to the Mt. Constitution communication tower for countywide emergency response. The purpose of the amendment is to renew the lease for an additional five years. The total amended contract is $266,579; it expires on 12/31/2030. (AB2025-800) Authorized 7-0
282. Authorize the executive to accept a $651,108 state grant for substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services for individuals involved in the criminal legal system? The state Health Care Authority grant will support: opioid use disorder medication, substance use disorder assessments and care coordination, residential treatment, recovery court case management, and rental assistance. The grant expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2025-804) Authorized 7-0
283. Approve the five-year (2026–2030) homeless housing plan? The plan was drafted by a subcommittee of the Whatcom County Housing Advisory Committee and approved by the full committee at the 10/9/2025 meeting. The goal of the plan is to reduce homelessness and associated harms through expanded shelter capacity while recognizing that ending homelessness is not possible in the near term. A copy of the draft is available at: https://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/103223/2026-2030-Whatcom-County-5-year-Homeless-Housing-Implementation-Plan. (AB2025-807) Approved 7-0
284. Authorize the executive to accept a $454,000 state grant for the acquisition of a forestry conservation easement on the Maple Falls Forest property? The state Recreation and Conservation Office funding will provide approximately 50 percent of the cost of a forestland conservation easement, with the remainder to be funded through state and federal grants for a total project cost of $909,000. The grant expires on 6/30/2027. (AB2025-817) Authorized 7-0
285. Authorize the executive to sign a $944,084 contract with the Opportunity Council to increase the number of childcare slots for low-income families? This contract will help fund (the total projected cost is approximately $3,580,960) the interior build out of a childcare facility located in Unit 2 of the Bellis Fair Family Housing Condominium. Once completed, it will provide 70 additional childcare slots in Whatcom County. 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 9/30/2028. (AB2025-819) Authorized 7-0
286. Approve the 2025-2026 Healthy Children’s Fund Implementation Plan? It builds on the 2023-2024 plan, maintaining focus on improving outcomes for children and families across Whatcom County. The key priorities: expanding early learning and care, supporting vulnerable children and strengthening administration and accountability. (AB2025-821) Approved 7-0
287. Authorize the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District to lease property on River Road to the highest responsible bidder? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors; public hearing held.) The district acquired the property in 2008 and has previously leased it for agricultural purposes. The rent will be not less than $4,180 per year, plus any applicable leasehold tax. The authorization is good for six months. AB2025-713 (Resolution 2025-039) Approved 7–0
288. Authorize the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District to lease property on East Main Street? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors; public hearing held.) The district acquired the Everson property in 2024 and has previously leased it for agricultural purposes. The rent will be not less than $3,656 per year, plus any applicable leasehold tax. The authorization is good for six months. AB2025-715 (Resolution 2025-040) Approved 6-1, Tyler Byrd temporarily absent.
289. Establish a $438,494 Opioid Settlement Fund and a budget for that fund? Whatcom County is a plaintiff in several class action lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors, and settlements received as a result of these lawsuits must comply with terms and spending restrictions as applicable. To date, the county has received approximately $2.4 million from opioid distributors and manufacturers with $1 million going to the 23-Hour Crisis Center. This fund and budget will support compliance. The AB2025-756 (Ordinance 2025-053) Adopted 7-0
290. Repeal the Forest Resilience Task Force? At the 10/10/2023 meeting, vote #284, the council voted to establish the task force to develop a forest resilience plan that incorporates input from federal, local, state, and tribal governments and other relevant stakeholders. The council accepted that draft plan at the 10/7/2025 meeting, vote #247, and the task force will sunset on 12/31/2025. AB2025-749 (Ordinance 2025-054) Adopted 7-0
