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Whatcom County Council

WHA-CON-2025-10-21 October 21, 2025 Whatcom County Council Regular Whatcom County

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Executive summary

The Whatcom County Council conducted a routine but significant meeting focusing heavily on budget preparations and EMS funding concerns. The most contentious item was approval of updated Countywide Planning Policies, which passed narrowly 4-3 after Council Member Todd Donovan expressed concerns about deleted language requiring "best available data" for urban growth area projections. The council introduced eleven budget-related items for 2026, including the county budget amendment of $20.97 million and various levy ordinances, setting up a structured timeline for budget review through December 2. Public testimony was dominated by EMS levy discussions, with fire chiefs, commissioners, and union representatives advocating for using "bank capacity" to collect the full voter-approved 29 cents per $1,000 rather than the current 22 cents. Multiple speakers emphasized financial pressures on fire departments and concerns about potential service cuts. Other notable public concerns included ongoing issues with sheriff's department basement conditions, road safety on Graveline Road, and crime in the Cordata neighborhood.

Key decisions

**Countywide Planning Policies (AB2025-637):** Adopted 4-3 (Buchanan, Donovan, Galloway, Scanlon voting yes; Byrd, Elenbaas, Stremler voting no). Updates planning policies in the comprehensive plan appendix, with all cities having previously approved the changes. **Transportation Improvement Program (AB2025-672):** Approved 7-0. Six-year program for 2026-2031. **Annual Road Program (AB2025-673):** Approved 7-0. Sets road priorities for 2026, though Council Member Elenbaas noted concerns about ferry-related items. **Budget and Levy Introductions:** Introduced 11 budget items 6-1 (Byrd opposed), including the 2026 county budget amendment and various levy ordinances for public hearing November 5. …

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Policy discussion

**EMS Levy Bank Capacity:** The dominant policy discussion centered on whether to collect the full voter-approved 29 cents per $1,000 for EMS services rather than the current 22 cents. Fire chiefs, commissioners, and union representatives presented a unified front supporting bank capacity collection, emphasizing that Whatcom County's levy rate ranks among the lowest in the state even at 29 cents. They argued for prioritizing cuts to EMS office administration rather than community paramedic programs or direct patient care services. **Comprehensive Planning Updates:** The narrow passage of planning policy updates highlighted ongoing tensions over data requirements in growth management. Council Member Donovan's reluctant support came despite concerns about removing "…

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Stakeholder positions

**John Westerfield** continued his advocacy for sheriff's department facility improvements, criticizing the ongoing basement conditions as "unhealthy, unsanitary and unsafe" and calling for executive leadership to resolve the situation. **David Foreman (Opportunity Council CFO)** supported the Housing and Essential Needs program contract amendment, describing it as "essential work" for preventing homelessness and stabilizing housing situations. **Fire Chief Hank Maleng (Fire District 16, Fire Chiefs Association President)** presented Technical Advisory Board recommendations supporting bank capacity collection while suggesting evaluation of EMS office expenditures before reducing direct patient care services. **Commissioner Kendra Cristelli (Fire District 7)** emphasized fire departments' fiscal responsibility and efficient resource sharing, supporting bank capacity to maintain essential services without affecting response capabilities. **Doug Revelle ("Yoshi")** delivered philosophical commentary on societal balance, climate crisis as spiritual warning, and…

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Notable quotes

**Council Member Todd Donovan, on planning policies:** "I didn't want to be this dramatic, but a very begrudging Yes. And again, making it on the record that what we are doing is approving after the fact of planning change, changing our planning policies." **Fire Chief Hank Maleng, on EMS priorities:** "If cost savings are being prioritized, we recommend evaluating EMS office expenditures before considering reductions to ALS services, including those CPM units which provide direct patient car…

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What’s next

**November 5:** Public hearing on 2026 budget and all associated levy ordinances; consideration of jail healthcare contract. **November 18:** Budget amendment proposals and discussion period. **December 1:** Certification of special purpose district levies (routine administrative function). **December 2:** Final budget vote at 1 PM spec…

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What changed

The council established a formal budget timeline extending through December 2, moving from ad hoc budget consideration to a structured multi-meeting process. The narrow passage of planning policy updates formally aligns county policies with city approvals, despite ongoing concerns about data requirements. Jail healthcare services will transition to expanded 24/…

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Full meeting narrative

# Module 1: Essential Information **Date:** Tuesday, October 21, 2025 **Time:** 6:01 PM - 7:34 PM **Duration:** 1h 34m **Location:** County Courthouse Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA **Meeting Type:** Regular Council Meeting (Hybrid) **Elected Officials Present:** - Chair Kaylee Galloway - Council Member Barry Buchanan - Council Member Tyler Byrd - Council Member Todd Donovan - Council Member Ben Elenbaas - Council Member Jon Scanlon - Council Member Mark Stremler **County Executive:** Not present (Satpal Sidhu) **Key Staff:** - Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council - Kayla Schott-Bresler, Deputy Executive - Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services - Kimberly Thulin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office --- # Module 2: Significant Actions & Decisions ## Major Legislative Actions **Countywide Planning Policies Update (AB2025-637)** - ADOPTED 4-3 - Ordinance amending Countywide Planning Policies in Comprehensive Plan Appendix C - Vote breakdown: Yes - Buchanan, Donovan, Galloway, Scanlon; No - Byrd, Elenbaas, Stremler - Concern raised about deletion of "best available data" language for urban growth area projections - All cities had already approved the changes **Budget Timeline Established** - APPROVED 6-1 - Set formal schedule for 2026 budget adoption process - Public hearing November 5th, discussion November 18th, final vote December 2nd - Single public hearing format approved for budget and all associated levy ordinances **Transportation & Road Programs** - Both APPROVED 7-0 - Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) 2026-2031 - 2026 Annual Road Program ## Budget-Related Actions **Introduced for Public Hearing (All 6-1, Byrd opposed):** - 2026 Whatcom County Budget amendment ($20.97 million) - Five tax levy ordinances (Conservation Futures, County Road, EMS, County/State purposes, Flood Control) - Water Resources Improvement Program (2026-2031) - Two Flood Control Zone District property lease intentions **Executive Appointments Confirmed:** - Michael Byers to Agricultural Advisory Committee (6-1, Elenbaas opposed) - Matt Hargleroad to Parks and Recreation Commission (7-0) - J.G. Sandy Phillips to Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (7-0) --- # Module 3: Key Debates & Discussions ## Planning Policies Controversy The most contentious item was the Countywide Planning Policies amendment, which passed narrowly 4-3. Council Member Donovan expressed deep concern about the timing and content changes: **"I will still …

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Study guide

### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council met on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, for their regular evening meeting in a hybrid format. The main focuses were passing county-wide planning policies after a 4-3 vote, approving transportation and road programs, and introducing 11 budget-related items for the 2026 budget process. ### Key Terms and Concepts **County-wide Planning Policies:** Guidelines that coordinate planning between Whatcom County and its cities, housed in the comprehensive plan's Appendix C. These policies help ensure consistent development standards across jurisdictions. **Urban Growth Area (UGA):** Designated areas where urban development is encouraged under the Growth Management Act. Council discussed concerns about data used for UGA projections. **Transportation Improvement Program (TIP):** A six-year plan outlining county transportation projects and funding from 2026-2031. **EMS Levy:** A property tax specifically for emergency medical services. The county is considering using "bank capacity" - the difference between voter-approved 29 cents and the current 22 cents collected. **Bank Capacity:** The unused portion of voter-approved tax levy authority. For EMS, voters approved 29 cents per $1,000 assessed value, but the county only collects 22 cents. **Flood Control Zone District:** A special district that addresses flood control and water resource management, governed by the County Council acting as the Board of Supervisors. **Ex Parte Communication:** Prohibited one-sided communication with council members about matters where they act in a quasi-judicial role, such as major project permits. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kaylee Galloway | Council Chair | | Tyler Byrd | Council Member District 1 | | Todd Donovan | Council Member District 2 …

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Budget & Finance Public Safety Land Use & Planning Government Operations AB 2025 637 AB 2025 672 AB 2025 673 AB 2025 678 AB 2025 728 AB 2025 730 Correctional Healthcare Partners Fire Chiefs Association Fire District 16 Fire District 7 Local 106 Northwest Regional Council Opportunity Council Ben Elenbaas David Foreman Hank Maleng John Westerfield Jon Scanlon Kaylee Galloway Lyle Sorensen Robert Roy Graham Scott Farrell Todd Donovan Bank Capacity Budget Finance Comprehensive Plan Countywide Planning Policies Ems Levy Fire Service Flood Control Jail Planning Levy Ordinances Public Safety