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Whatcom County Council

WHA-CON-2026-03-24 March 24, 2026 Whatcom County Council Regular Whatcom County
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Whatcom County Council held a contentious 3-hour meeting centered on a proposed 0.1% sales tax for criminal justice purposes, with the evening dominated by extensive public testimony and heated council debate over whether to approve the tax immediately or put it to voters. The meeting began with Executive Sidhu celebrating a successful state legislative session that secured $13 million for flood mitigation and allowed creation of a ferry district authority, but the tone shifted dramatically during the public hearing on AB2026-213. Seven public speakers addressed the criminal justice tax proposal, with most expressing skepticism about the rushed timeline and lack of specificity on how funds would be spent. Adam Bellinger offered "begrudging support" citing decades of underinvestment in public safety, while Hannah Ortiz and Michelle Cameron urged council to put the measure to voters rather than imposing it councilmatically. Multiple speakers questioned the county's spending priorities and called for greater fiscal accountability. The council debate became increasingly tense as members grappled with competing pressures: the need for additional revenue to fund jail operations and sheriff services versus public demands for voter input on tax increases. Council Member Stremler moved to table the item entirely, seeking to give voters a say, while Chair Galloway defended the urgency citing budget deadlines and potential cuts to sheriff deputies. The motion to table failed 4-3, falling short of the required two-thirds majority. Council Member Elenbaas then moved to hold the item until April 7th or 14th, expressing personal financial struggles and arguing that imposing taxes without voter approval felt wrong. "I'm having a hard time looking my neighbor in the face and telling them that they need to pay more because I said so," Elenbaas stated. The motion to hold passed 6-1, with only Chair Galloway opposing. The meeting also featured significant public testimony on floodi

**AB2026-213 Criminal Justice Sales Tax:** HELD until April 7th or 14th (Vote: 6-1, Galloway opposed). Public hearing remains open. Council introduced alternative ordinance AB2026-259 to put the same tax to voters (Vote: 6-1, Galloway opposed). **AB2026-259 Voter Proposition Ordinance:** INTRODUCED for joint public hearing April 14th (Vote: 6-1, Galloway opposed). Would let voters decide on the 0.1% criminal justice sales tax. Amended to specify primary or general election timing and add language prioritizing funds for jail health/food services, sheriff office lease, and labor costs. **Consent Agenda Items 1, 3-11:** APPROVED 7-0. Various interlocal agreements and contract amendments totaling over $1.4 million for transportation, social services, emergency management, and infrastructure projects. **AB2026…

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The criminal justice sales tax dominated the meeting with fundamental disagreements over taxation authority, fiscal responsibility, and democratic process. The proposed 0.1% sales tax would generate approximately $5-7 million annually to fund jail health services, sheriff office lease payments, and criminal justice system labor costs. Executive Sidhu argued the revenue was essential to avoid cuts to public safety, with Undersheriff Harris warning that absorbing $4-5 million in costs would eliminate "30 to 35 FTEs" and represent "half of our patrol budget." Chair Galloway strongly defended the councilmanic approach, citing budget deadlines and the legislature's grant of authority to impose the tax without voter approval. She emphasized that failing to act would force cuts to foundational county services: "What we would be asking the sheriff to do by absorbing five to seven million dollars would be letting sheriff's deputies go." The urgency stemmed from Department of Revenue deadlines requiring action by April 17th for July implementation, and the need to provide budget certainty for the upcoming biennial budget process. Council Members Stremler and Elenbaas led opposition, arguing that significant tax increases should go to voters regardless …
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**Executive Sidhu** defended the criminal justice tax as necessary to avoid devastating cuts to public safety, emphasizing budget process constraints and warning council was "proposing to cut the public safety right now." **Chair Galloway** emerged as the strongest tax supporter, arguing voter approval would delay essential services and potentially force deputy layoffs. She opposed all delay motions and questioned the ballot option's legality. **Council Members Stremler and Elenbaas** led opposition, drafting alternative legislation for voter consideration and arguing democratic principles outweighed budget expediency. **Council Member Scanlon** sought middle ground, proposing alternative ordinance language with specific spending directives while remaining open to voter consideration. **Public speakers** generally opposed the councilmanic approach: - **Adam B…
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**Council Member Elenbaas, on tax burden:** "I make a very good wage, and I'm struggling. I mean, I'm not going to lie. I'm behind on my property taxes on a parcel or two, right? And so to think that I'm going to sit up here and decide whether you guys are going to pay more money in taxes, It just doesn't sit well with me." **Council Member Elenbaas, on democratic principle:** "I'm having a hard time looking my neighbor in the face and telling them that they need to pay more because I said so…
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**April 7th or 14th:** Joint public hearing on both AB2026-213 (councilmanic tax) and AB2026-259 (voter proposition), with final decision on which path to pursue. Chair Galloway will determine specific date based on legal and procedural requirements. **April 17th:** Hard deadline for notifying State Department of Revenue if proceeding with councilmanic option for July implementation. **May 1st:** Deadline for August primary ballot placement if pursuing voter option. **Justice Project Timeline:** Additional reports coming on Behavioral Care Center and jail project, with community engagement continuing on treatment v…

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**Tax Decision Delayed:** Instead of immediate approval or rejection, council created two-track approach allowing comparison between councilmanic imposition and voter approval options. **Legal Research Required:** Attorney Dalene must clarify whether voter option is legally available under current RCW authority before final decision. **Public Hearing Extended:** Instead of closing tonight, hearing remains open for additional testimony on both options. **Budget Uncertainty Created:** Executive wa…
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## Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council convened in hybrid format on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026, at 6:02 PM for what would become a significant evening in local government deliberations. All seven council members were present: Chair Kaylee Galloway, Elizabeth Boyle, Barry Buchanan, Ben Elenbaas, Jessica Rienstra, John Scanlon, and Mark Stremler. The meeting followed a full day of committee sessions that had laid the groundwork for the evening's most contentious agenda item—a proposed 0.1% sales tax for criminal justice purposes. What made this meeting particularly notable was the dramatic debate over whether the council should impose this tax directly or let voters decide at the ballot box. The discussion revealed deep philosophical differences among council members about democratic governance, fiscal responsibility, and the proper role of elected officials in tax policy. Executive Satpal Sidhu had spent the morning legislative session reporting on the county's "almost very successful best year" with state funding, securing $13 million for flood mitigation and $2.1 million for court costs. But the evening would test the council's unity as they grappled with a locally-generated revenue need that exposed competing visions of representation and accountability. ## The Criminal Justice Tax Debate The centerpiece of the evening was a public hearing on ordinance AB 2026-213, which would authorize a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) for criminal justice purposes. This seemingly technical measure sparked the most substantive civic debate the council had seen in months, with the discussion ultimately consuming over two hours and revealing fundamental disagreements about democratic process. County Executive Satpal Sidhu had framed the need urgently during his opening report: "We are entrusted with their care" when speaking of those in the criminal justice system, and he called the tax essential to "keep our deputies on the road, our courts running, sheriff to have a decent office, and our jail to have an excellent health care system." The executive emphasized that while such decisions aren't easy, he was "proud to stand behind the value and extraordinary service our employees provide to this community." The public testimony revealed a community genuinely wrestling with competing values. Adam Bellinger offered "begrudging support" for the tax, acknowledging that while he felt "there should be a pretty high burden for tax increases" and t…
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A structured study guide helping readers understand the meeting's content and context. ### Meeting Overview Whatcom County Council met on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, for a regular council meeting focusing primarily on a proposed criminal justice sales tax ordinance. The main debate centered around whether the council should approve a 0.1% sales tax increase for criminal justice purposes or allow voters to decide the matter at the ballot box. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Sales and Use Tax for Criminal Justice Purposes:** A 0.1% (one-tenth of one percent) tax on retail purchases that would generate revenue specifically for criminal justice functions like jail operations, sheriff's office expenses, and court costs. **RCW 82.14.345:** The Washington State law that authorizes local governments to impose this specific type of sales tax for criminal justice purposes without voter approval until June 30, 2028. **Councilmatic Action:** When a legislative body like the county council makes a decision through their own vote, rather than putting the matter to a public vote. **Motion to Table vs. Motion to Hold:** Parliamentary procedures with different effects—tabling ends discussion indefinitely and requires a two-thirds majority, while holding keeps the item active for future consideration. **Justice Project:** Whatcom County's comprehensive effort to address criminal justice facility needs, including jail capacity and behavioral health services. **Biennial Budget:** The county's two-year budget cycle that determines funding for county operations and services. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kaylee Galloway | Council Chair | | Satpal Sidhu | County Executive | | Barry Buchanan | Council Member | | Ben Elenbaas | Council Member | | Elizabeth Boyle | Council Member | | Jessica Rienstra | Council Member | | John Scanlon | Council Member | | Mark Stremler | Council Member | | Undersheriff Harris | Whatcom County Sheriff's Office | | Kimberly Trolene | Council Attorney | | Kayla Bressler | Deputy Executive | | Adam Bellinger | Community Member/Speaker | | Michelle Cameron | Community Member/Speaker | | Brian Gass | Community Member/Speaker | | Hannah Ortiz | Community …
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Budget & Finance Public Safety Government Operations AB 2026 213 AB 2026 220 AB 2026 259 Department Of Revenue State Department Revenue Whatcom County Council Whatcom County Sheriff Adam Bellinger Ben Elenbaas Brian Gass Hannah Ortiz Jason Postma Jon Scanlon Kaylee Galloway Kimberly Dalene Lynette Polinder Mark Stremler Michelle Cameron Satpal Sidhu Budget Finance Criminal Justice Democratic Process Flood Mitigation Flood Recovery Jail Planning Public Safety Sumas Flood Recovery Sumas Flooding Tax Revenue