Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at September 26, 2023 Meeting
Shall the council:
246. Allocate unspent federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to meet various council requests? Whatcom County received $44,528,542 under the ARPA legislation, all of which needs to be allocated by 12/31/2024 and expended by 12/31/2026. Allocated: $115,000 to fund Pacific Northwest Plateful food security activities; $350,000 to fund emergency capacities at the Christian Health Care Center; $150,000 to offset lost revenues from paused timber sales that fund the Mount Baker School District; $150,000 to fund commercial kitchen upgrades at the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center. (AB2023-582) Approved 6-0, Kathy Kershner was out of the room.
247. Authorize the executive to sign a $315,000 contract with the Blaine School District? The contract will provide funding for one full-time behavioral health coach staff position to help address youth anxiety, depression, and substance use. The contract expires on 6/30/2026. (AB2023-587) Authorized 7-0
248. Authorize the executive to accept a $1,893,352 state grant (amendment #14) for the delivery and funding of various public health services? Programs funded include: cannabis- and tobacco-use prevention; emergency preparedness; maternal and child health; vaccine promotion activities; and workforce development activities. The total amended contract is $14,071,769; it expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2023-594) Authorized 7-0
249. Authorize the executive to sign a $600,000 contract with the Whatcom Council of Governments and seven cities to address cost sharing associated with the 2025 Comprehensive Plan update and Urban Growth Area review? The Whatcom Council of Governments will provide $40,000 and the remaining $560,000 will be allocated by population. The seven cities are Bellingham ($211,617), Blaine ($13,915), Everson ($6,913), Ferndale ($36,012), Lynden ($36,431), Nooksack ($3,440), Sumas ($3,992) and Whatcom County ($207,680). The contract expires on 6/30/2026. (AB2023-598) Authorized 7-0
250. Authorize the executive to sign a $37,664 contract (amendment #3) with Whatcom County Fire District 7 to increase the compensation for community paramedic services? The original contract for $407,130 was approved at the 8/7/2019 meeting, vote #171. The purpose of this amendment is to increase funding to cover the wages, benefits, and overtime related to the training of the new community paramedic by the current one before they retire at the end of 2023. The total amended contract is $941,716; it expires on 12/31/2023. (AB2023-599) Authorized 7-0
251. Authorize the executive to sign a $185,000 contract with the Whatcom Family & Community Network? The contract will support the delivery of youth prevention programs, including coalition and community building, case management, family programming, mentoring, and public education. The contract expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2023-600) Authorized 7-0
252. Authorize the executive to sign a $134,000 pass-through federal grant with the Opportunity Council? The Department of Housing and Urban Development grant was funneled through the state Community Development Block Grant program. It will fund public services to low- and moderate-income persons in Whatcom, Island and San Juan Counties? It expires on 6/30/2024. (AB2023-601) Authorized 5-2, Tyler Byrd and Ben Elenbaas opposed.
253. Authorize the executive to sign a $150,000 contract with the City of Bellingham? The City of Bellingham and subcontractors will be responsible for the removal of solid and hazardous waste related to abandoned homeless encampments on public property and illegal dump sites. The contract expires on 12/31/2023. (AB2023-603) Authorized 7-0
254. Authorize the executive to sign a joint funding agreement with the federal government? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The contract with the United States Geological Survey will continue joint funding of eight stream gaging stations in the Nooksack River. The federal government will be responsible for $49,713 and Whatcom County for $117,217. The contract expires on 9/30/2024. (AB2023-604) Authorized 7-0
255. Authorize the executive to accept a $378,496 state grant to fund the Nurse Family Partnership Program? The goals of the program are health birthweight, children and youth are supported by healthy relationships with adults and parents/caregivers are supported to meet the needs of their children/youth. The program provides home visits, education, and outreach for at-risk, first-time mothers. The contract expires on 7/31/2024. (AB2023-606) Authorized 7-0
256. Authorize the executive to accept a $1,175,834 state grant for the expansion of the LEAD Program? LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) is a state program that provides funding for intensive case management and basic needs care coordination for individuals recently arrested, or at high risk of arrest, in the criminal legal system. The program began in Whatcom County in September of 2020. The contract expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2023-607) Authorized 7-0
257. Authorize the executive to sign a three-year $285,000 agreement with the Mount Baker School District to provide funding for a behavioral health personnel staff position and subcontracted services? The funding will support the addition of a mental health specialist and subcontract needs assessments, and family support services to address anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. The agreement expires on 6/30/2026. (AB2023-614) Authorized 7-0
258. Authorize the executive to award the only bid of $195,424 from Global Lease Group of Lexington, Massachusetts? Four vehicles will be leased for 36-months by the sheriff’s office. The vehicles will be used by the drug and gang task force. The vehicles will be delivered to Bickford Ford in Snohomish and Bellingham Nissan. The monthly cost is $4,973. (AB2023-617) Authorized 7-0
259. Authorize the executive to sign a $212,244 three-year contract with West Publishing – Thomson Reuters for online database subscriptions? The contract will provide subscriptions for the Whatcom County prosecuting attorney’s office. The monthly cost will increase from $5,157 in year one to $5,685 in year three. The contract expires on 9/30/2026. (AB2023-618) Authorized 7-0
260.Authorize the executive to sign two contracts – totaling $1,859,888 – with the Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group of Everson to support the county’s efforts following the November 2021 flood event? The contracts will provide disaster case management assistance ($527,888) and household appliance replacement and home repair assistance ($1,332,000) to individuals or households impacted by flooding. The contracts expire on 6/30/2024. (AB2023-619/620) Authorized 7-0
261. Authorize the executive to sign a $191,377 agreement with the state to reimburse Whatcom District Court for mental-health related costs? Funding will support: a therapeutic-focused probation officer position ($139,380); training expenses ($17,617); and treatment services ($34,380). The grant expires on 6/30/2024. (AB2023-625) Authorized 7-0
262. Authorize the executive to sign two contracts — totaling $400,906 — with the Bellingham Fire Department? The contracts fund additional costs related to Medic 75 implementation ($262,806) and the integrating of two credentialed paramedics ($138,100) into the organization. The contracts expire on 12/31/2024 and 3/31/2024, respectively. (AB2023-626/627) Authorized 7-0
263. Authorize the executive to sign a $1,476,120 contact (amendment #2) with the three fire departments and 11 fire protection districts? The purpose of the amendment is to extend the term and add the 2023 allocation for basic life support services. The total amended contract is $7,427,409; it expires on 12/31/2023. (AB2023-633) Authorized 7-0
264. Update the six-year (2024-2029) transportation improvement plan? (Public hearing held.) The council approved the 2023-2028 plan at the 9/27/2022 meeting, vote #240. 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. AB2023-574 (Resolution 2023-024) Approved 7-0
265. Amend the Flood Control Zone District & Subzones 2023 budget (request #2) in the amount of $655,792? Appropriated: $250,000 to fund professional services related to WRIA 1 litigation activities; $59,175 for river and flood staffing; $271,889 for WCD PIC technical assistance and $74,728 for culvert staffing. AB2023-591 (Resolution 2023-025) Approved 7-0
266. Establish Paul Davis honorary signs on Lummi Island? (Public hearing held.) The Lummi Island Community Association requested the permitting of the signs and will pay for their installation and maintenance. AB2023-571 (Ordinance 2023-054) Adopted 7-0
267. Amend the Whatcom County code to reflect changes to Charter language defining signature requirements for initiatives? Voters at the 2021 general election approved Proposition 2021-13,. It requires that the number of signatures required for an initiative and mini-initiative petitions to be based on a number equaling at least eight percent of the votes cast in the last regular county executive election. AB2023-555 (Ordinance 2023-055) Adopted 7-0
268. Amend the 2023 budget (request #13) in the amount of $12,473,352? Appropriated: $2,300,000 to fund general government services from American Rescue Plan Act grant; $1,100,000 to fund 2024 Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) program; $4,555,916 to fund childcare capital/expansion; $2,300,000 to fund American Rescue Plan Act transfer out revenue loss. Two administrative services-human resources requests: $602,398 for additional tort funding and $405,000 for additional workers comp. funding. For five 2023 wages and benefits settlements: $170,767 for the assessor’s office; $368,261 for the prosecuting attorney’s office; $93,250 for public defender’s office; $470,026 for the sheriff’s office; and $110,893 for Superior Court. There were twenty-two other expenditures — all below $100,000 — totaling $1,006,872. AB2023-585 (Ordinance 2023-056) Substitute adopted 7-0.
Action Taken at October 10, 2023 Meeting
Shall the council:
269. Authorize the executive to sign a $350,000 agreement with Public Utility District No. 1 of Whatcom County in support of a fiber optic broadband infrastructure project in Point Roberts? The project will serve 1,274 locations with high-speed internet service. The total estimated project budget is $3,500,000 and the agreement expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2023-621) Authorized 7-0
270. Authorize the executive to sign a $498,000 agreement with Ferndale School District to provide funding for behavioral health services? The agreement will fund two part time mental health professional positions to implement anxiety-, depression-, and substance-use-related interventions during the 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026 school years. The agreement expires on 6/30/2026. (AB2023-638) Authorized 7-0
271. Authorize the executive to accept a $249,000 state grant to fund administrative support and action projects for the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The executive-appointed committee addresses local marine issues and recommends remedial action to local authorities. The funding will support activities that include: remote beach cleanups, water quality monitoring, bull kelp surveys, forage fish spawning surveys, and monitoring of a pilot Olympia oyster restoration project. The grant expires on 9/30/2025. (AB2023-643) Authorized 7-0
272. Authorize the executive to sign a $169,470 joint funding agreement with the federal government to support the maintenance and operation of the county’s stream gages? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The county share will be $159,100 and the federal government’s share will be $10,370. The United States Geological Survey grant will support the ongoing maintenance and operations of the county’s 11 stream gages within the Nooksack River early flood warning system, as well as stream gages at Everson Main Street overflow, the Everson-Sumas corridor, the Guide Meridian, Jones Creek, and the Sumas River. The agreement expires on 9/30/2024. (AB2023-653) Authorized 7-0
273. Authorize the executive to sign a $1,500,000 contract with Whatcom Family YMCA to preserve childcare slots in Whatcom County? The contract will provide funding for the purchase of their currently leased property located at 2410 Rimland Drive in Bellingham. It will preserve 84 slots and create an additional 20 for children under five years of age and 20 percent that meet low income thresholds. The contract expires on 6/30/2024. (AB2023-655) Authorized 7-0
274. Authorize the executive to sign a $25,880 contract with Whatcom Law Group/Rajeev Majumdar for substitute Whatcom County Hearing Examiner services? Rajeev Majumdar has served as hearing examiner pro-tem and will provide services until the end of 2023 in lieu of Michael Bobbink. Mr. Bobbink held the contract for over 25 years; he passed away on 9/25/2023. A request for hearing examiner services will begin in January of 2024. The contract expires on 12/31/2023. (AB2023-662) Authorized 7-0
275. Authorize the executive to sign a beneficiary agreement with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County? The agreement will allow the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County to access $757,036 in county designated federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to preserve 532 (infancy to age 12) childcare slots in the county. The agreement expires on 6/30/2024. (AB2023-666) Authorized 6-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.
276. Sell county tax title properties by negotiation? (Public hearing held.) The Whatcom County Property Management Committee recommends the sale of two properties located in the Paradise Lakes Country Club and Lummi Island Scenic Estates. The prices shall be not less than the principal of unpaid taxes, interest, and penalty of $255 and $563, respectively. AB2023-566/575 (Resolutions 2023-026/027) Approved 7-0
277. Sell county tax title properties by public auction? (Public hearing held.) The Whatcom County Property Management Committee recommends the sale of properties located in the Lummi Island Scenic Estates and Paradise Lakes Country Club. The prices shall be not less than the principal of unpaid taxes, interest, and penalty of $1,517 and $1,386, respectively. AB2023-588/589 (Resolutions 2023-028/029) Approved 7-0
278. Adopt the six-year (2024-2029) water resources improvement program? (Public hearing held — Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The council adopted the 2023-2028 program at the 10/11/2022 meeting, vote #258. State law requires counties to annually update their six-year water resource improvement programs. The program includes 42 projects that address flood management, salmon recovery, sediment/debris flow issues, and stormwater plans. AB2023-605 (Resolution 2023-030) Approved 7-0
279. Authorize procurement from or through the U.S. General Services Administration cooperative schedules? State law permits any political subdivision to purchase supplies, materials, electronic data processing and telecommunications equipment, software, services, and/or equipment through the federal government without requiring competitive bidding. The resolution will permit such activities by Whatcom County. AB2023-647 (Resolution 2023-031) Approved 7-0
280. Approve the Samish Water District comprehensive sewer plan? State law requires all comprehensive water and sewer system plans and plan amendments be approved or rejected by the county legislative authority. The county Public Works Department approved the Samish Water District plan and forwarded it to the council for final approval. AB2023-592 (Resolution 2023-032) Amended and approved 7-0
281. Docket an additional comprehensive plan and zoning amendment? Allow propane reload, storage and distribution facilities as a conditional use in currently zoned agriculture districts under certain circumstances (PLN2023-0004). AB2023-668 (Resolution 2023-033) Approved 7-0
282. Establish regular Whatcom County Council meeting dates for 2024? 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 — and will be held twice per month, except for one meeting scheduled in August and December. AB2023-639 (Resolution 2023-034) Approved 6-0-1, Carol Frazey abstained.
283. Amend the Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee? The council established seven-member committee at the 2/14/2012 meeting, vote #31, to provide review and recommendations to council and executive on issues that affect operations and infrastructure of the Lummi Island ferry service and to provide a forum for ferry users to provide their input. These amendments will: rename the committee the Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee, change total membership to 10 members, five island residents, two unincorporated county residents, two general mainland county residents with a priority to one Lummi Nation representative, and one councilmember with non-voting status; provide county support for the state Open Public Meetings Act compliance; and address meeting venues to ensure equitable access. The County Council will appoint the advisory committee members. AB2023-548 (Ordinance 2023-057) Adopted 7-0
284. Establish a task force to develop a Whatcom County Forest Resilience Plan? The task force is created to develop a comprehensive county forest resilience plan, which will include a framework for engagement with local, state, federal, and tribal governments and relevant stakeholders on issues relating to forest management and resilience. The task force will submit a plan no later than 9/30/2025 to the Whatcom County Council. The task force includes eleven permanent members and eight appointed members by the County Council. All members’ terms will expire when the task force sunsets on 12/31/2025; it can be extended by the council. AB2023-640 (Ordinance 2023-058) Revised substitute amended and adopted 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas, and Kathy Kershner opposed.
Action Taken at October 24, 2023 Meeting
Shall the council:
285. Impose an interim moratorium on the acceptance and processing of applications and permits for new uses in areas zoned heavy impact industrial within a city’s designated urban growth area? (Public hearing held.) This moratorium addresses a metal-shredding plant proposed for 20 acres abutting a residential neighborhood on Marine Drive. The one-year interim moratorium prohibits the filing, acceptance, and processing of new applications for permits unless the applications: (1) Were filed and complete prior to the effective date of this ordinance and vested pursuant to law; (2) Are for building permits for remodels, maintenance, or expansions or repairs of existing structures and/or expansions of uses legally established prior to the effective date of this ordinance; (3) Are for outright permitted light impact industrial uses; (4) Are necessary to protect health and safety of the community. (AB2023-646) Failed 3-3-1, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas and Kathy Kershner opposed, Kaylee Galloway abstained.
286. Authorize the executive to accept a $169,650 state grant to secure matching funds for the Jacoby agricultural conservation easement? The Jacoby property is a 15.25-acre parcel zoned Designed Forest. The grant funding is from the state farmland preservation grant program and awarded 45 percent with 55 percent in local matching funds coming from the local Conservation Futures Funds and Density Credit Fees. The grant expires on 7/31/2025. (AB2023-663) Authorized 7-0
287. Authorize the executive to sign two agreements — totaling $387,500 — with the City of Bellingham to jointly fund a winter shelter ($250,000) and an interim shower program ($137,500)? Road2Home was selected as the operator of the 45-guest winter shelter, which will be sited at Civic Field in Bellingham and open seven days per week from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. The Opportunity Council will operate the interim shower program sited in the rear parking lot of Bellingham City Hall and open Friday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The agreements expire on 3/31/2024 and 8/31/2024, respectively. (AB2023-671/673) Authorized 7-0
288. Authorize the executive to award the only bid of $203,756 to CIMA Construction of Bellingham to replace the ranger’s office roof and siding at Lighthouse Marine Park? The engineer’s estimate was $164,882. The 21-acre park is located on the southern tip of the Tsawwassen Peninsula in Point Roberts. (AB2023-681) Authorized 7-0
289. Authorize the executive to award the high bid of $209,191 to The Bag Lady, Inc. of Puyallup, for the purchase of five automated sandbagging machines? Three bids were received; the two lowest bidders ($164,877 and $185,706) did not meet nine out of 19 minimum specifications. The sandbagging machines will be distributed to the cities of Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack, and Sumas to be used during flood events. (AB2023-688) Authorized 7-0
290. Sell three tax title properties by public auction? (Public hearings held.) The Whatcom County Property Management Committee has determined that it is in the best interest of the county to sell the properties. Two are located in Sudden Valley and one in Sandy Point Garden Tracts. The prices shall be no less than $2,630, $3,846, and $1,719, respectively, including total taxes, interest, penalties, and costs. AB2023-622/23/24 (Resolutions 2023-035/36/37) Approved 7-0
291. Approve the Whatcom County 2024 annual construction program? (Public hearing held.) State law requires that county engineers recommend an annual plan for laying out, constructing, and maintaining county roads. The council adopted the 2023 plan at the 10/25/2022 meeting, vote #259. The 2024 program includes 57 projects and total estimated expenditures of $40,052,000. AB2023-648 (Resolution 2023-038) Approved 7-0
292. Approve $1,661,925 for the 2024 convention center allocations? There were 24 applications for annual lodging tax funding allocations and all were approved. Approved applications: Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce ($25,000); Bellingham/Whatcom County Tourism ($200,000); Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce ($136,000); Mt. Baker Chamber of Commerce ($146,000); Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce ($18,000); Whatcom County Parks Glacier restrooms and county parks guide project ($26,000); Allied Arts ($15,000); Bellingham Festival of Music ($10,000); Bellingham Symphony Orchestra ($5,000); Cascadia Film Festival ($10,000); Downtown Sounds ($30,000); Jansen Art Center ($10,000); Noisy Waters Mural Festival ($20,900); NW Tune UP ($50,000); Parks Foundation North Cascades Bluegrass Festival ($25,000); Port of Bellingham art installation ($75,000); Scottish Dance Society ($15,500); Seafeast ($30,000); Sumas Historical Museum ($7,850); Sustainable Connections ($40,000); Whatcom Events ($35,000); Whatcom Museum Foundation ($15,000); $150,000 for 20 percent contingency for mid-year allocations; and county share of multi-jurisdictional tourism-signage project ($565,775). AB2023-669 (Resolution 2023-039) Authorized 5-2, Ben Elenbaas and Carol Frazey opposed.
293. Adopt equipment rental and revolving management policy as required by the County Road Administration Board? The policy includes guidelines for setting county road rental rates for vehicles and equipment. No later than April 1 of each year, the county is required to submit to the state the legislative authority adopting road rental rates, the rates and the management policy. AB2023-675 (Resolution 2023-040) Substitute approved 7-0.
294. Support the Lummi Indian Business Council’s (LIBC) state of emergency declaration in response to the fentanyl crisis? Overdose deaths from fentanyl and other drugs have increased each year since 2018 and are on pace to exceed those of 2022. The LIBC declare a state of emergency in response to the fentanyl crisis. This resolution supports the LIBC’s implementation of the following measures: closing known drug houses; developing a prevention-oriented messaging plan for youth; implementing driving-under-the-influence and drug check points; excluding and banishing drug dealers on the Lummi Reservation; mandating training for LIBC entities; and publishing warrant lists for drug dealers in public spaces. AB2023-699 (Resolution 2023-041) Approved 7-0
295. Docket an additional Comprehensive Plan and zoning amendment related to industrial use permitting? This item is added to the docket to define appropriate industrial uses and conditions for industrial uses in districts zoned for heavy impact industrial uses within a city’s designated urban growth area (PLN2023-0000X). AB2023-701 (Resolution 2023-042) Approved 7-0
296. Support the use of Economic Development Investment Program (EDI) funds for affordable housing? At the 7/24/2023 meeting, vote #153, the council voted to affirm that affordable housing and homelessness are a public health crisis. The county administers the EDI program; the money comes from portions of the rural sales tax and can only be used for public facility projects. This resolution will make housing affordability and homelessness a top legislative priority for county government and increase the use of EDI funds to support measures that increase the availability of affordable housing. AB2023-696 (Resolution 2023-043) Substitute approved 7-0.
297. Request that the Whatcom County executive and department staff propose amendments to Whatcom County code to support clean energy? At the 11/7/2021 meeting, vote #266, the council approved the 2021 Climate Action Plan. Whatcom County is required to expand the availability and use of clean energy alternatives. Proposed code amendments will address the development of geothermal, hydrogen fuel systems, and land-based solar energy systems. AB2023-694 (Resolution 2023-044) Approved 7-0
298. Establish the Whatcom County Healthy Children’s Fund? At the November 2022 general election Whatcom County voters approved Proposition 5, creating the fund. The nine-year property tax levy will assess 0.19 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to fund activities that promote the health and well-being of children and families. AB2023-637 (Ordinance 2023-059) Adopted 7-0
299. Amend the project-budget (request #3) for the E. Smith/Hannegan Road Intersection Improvements Fund? At the 11/7/2018 meeting, vote #175, council voted to establish a $860,000 project-based budget. The project addresses traffic delays due to the lack of a left-turn lane through the installation of a double-lane roundabout. Request #1 added $3,925,000 to the fund, request #2 added $1,015,000 to the fund and request #3 will add $2,175,000 for a total amended project budget of $7,975,000. The project is listed as item number six on the six-year transportation plan. AB2023-651 (Ordinance 2023-060) Adopted 7-0
300. Amend the project-based budget (request #3) for the North Lake Samish Road Bridge No. 107 Replacement Fund? The project will replace a 250-foot timber bridge that is structurally deficient. At the 11/20/2018 meeting, vote #201, council voted to establish the replacement fund and a $770,000 project-based budget. Request #1 added $10,475,000, request #2 added $1,027,368 and request #3 will add $1,808,436 for a total amended amount of $14,080,804. The project is listed as item number B5 on the six-year transportation plan. AB2023-652 (Ordinance 2023-061) Adopted 7-0
301. Amend the 2023 budget (request #14) in the amount of $13,162,440? Appropriated: $5,100,000 to fund community priorities; $200,000 to fund the Canyon Lake Road access easement; $387,320 to fund the 2025 comprehensive plan update process; $5,100,000 to fund revenue loss; $179,849 to replace sheriff patrol vehicles; $119,705 to fund water rights adjudication activities; $670,524 in road funding; $300,000 to fund emergency housing; $500,000 to support childhood health activities; $300,000 for equipment rental; eight other expenditures – all below $67,000 – totaled $205,050? AB2023-657 (Ordinance 2023-062) Substitute Adopted 7-0.
302. Establish a $5,100,000 Community Priorities fund and initial budget? On 3/11/2021, President Biden signed the act containing $362 billion for coronavirus related response and recovery. At the 6/15/2021 meeting, vote #148, council established the $1,732,850 American Rescue Plan Act fund and initial budget for the total $44,528,542 in federal recovery funds awarded to the county. Money in this account must be obligated by 12/31/2024 and spent by 12/31/2026. Eligible uses of this funding include: broadband investments; childcare capital investment and stabilization; criminal justice staffing; food security; general government services; housing capital investments and homeless services; and public health activities and programs. AB2023-659 (Ordinance 2023-063) Adopted 7-0