Lynden City Council

The Lynden City Council held its first meeting of 2026 with ceremonial swearing-in activities and significant personnel actions. Mayor Scott Korthuis and three council members took their oaths of office for new four-year terms beginning January 1, 2026. The council confirmed Jeremy Bos as the permanent police chief after an extended recruitment process that had generated council frustration in late 2025. Two collective bargaining agreements with police and public safety support guilds were approved during executive session. The council also ratified emergency actions taken by the mayor in response to flooding along the Nooksack River and set a public hearing for January 20, 2026, to consider development regulation amendments required by state legislation. The meeting demonstrated continuity in leadership with Mayor Korthuis, Councilors Nick Laninga (Position #5), Kyle Strengholt (Position #6), and Mark Wohlrab (Position #7) all beginning new terms. Gary Bode was re-selected as Mayor Pro Tem for 2026. Council members agreed to continue serving on their current committee assignments without changes. Several routine annual appointments were approved, including reappointing Mayor Korthuis to the Whatcom Council of Governments and Whatcom Transportation Authority boards, and reappointing three founding members to the Historic Preservation Commission for another three-year term.