Budget and Finance Committee

**Meeting ID:** BEL-CON-BFC-2025-11-17 # Meeting Overview The Bellingham Budget and Finance Committee convened on Sunday, November 17, 2025, for what would prove to be one of the shortest budget committee meetings in recent memory—lasting just over three minutes. Chaired by Council Member Lisa Anderson, the committee included Council Members Daniel Hammill and Michael Lilliquist. The sole item on the agenda was the final adoption of the 2026 city budget, representing the culmination of a comprehensive budget process that began nearly two months earlier. This brief meeting was the final step in an unusually thorough budget review process that had included five work sessions, three public hearings, and extensive public input opportunities since the preliminary budget was introduced on September 29, 2025. The budget being considered totaled over $544 million in combined operating and capital expenditures—a substantial financial plan that would guide the city's operations and investments throughout 2026. The atmosphere was notably efficient and collegial, reflecting the extensive groundwork that had already been laid through the preceding weeks of detailed review and public engagement. ## The 2026 Budget Ordinance Adoption Finance Director Andy Asbjornsen presented Agenda Bill 24741, the ordinance formally adopting the city's 2026 budget. As he explained to the committee, "This is the 2026 budget ordinance. This has been discussed since the introduction back in September 29 and 2025. So there's been five work sessions, three public hearings to go over the budget." The budget figures were substantial: operating expenditures totaling $388,407,567 and capital expenditures of $155,858,743. Chair Anderson noted the precision of these numbers with a touch of humor, commenting, "Nothing like odd numbers" when reading the specific dollar amounts from the ordinance. Asbjornsen highlighted one new element that distinguished this year's budget process from previous years: "The one new thing that this adds that hasn't been a little bit different than the past is adds the skate park construction fund is also being added through this budget process. So that's included in the ordinance." This addition of Fund 303, the Skate Park Construction Fund, was specifically created to account for construction of the waterfront skate park planned for the area under the Chestnut Street bridge. Beyond this addition, Asbjornsen emphasized continuity with the previous work sessions, stating, "Other than that, everything is as it's It's been discussed over the last several work sessions." ## Committee Discussion and Motion Council Member Hammill took the opportunity to acknowledge the thoroughness of the budget review process that had brought them to this point. "Yeah, it was just stated. We've had a fairly rigorous process when it comes to the work sessions that we had to discuss this budget. I think in more detail than we have in previous administration, so I think this administration for providing that level of detail and the public had plenty of time to an opportunities to weigh in on this." His comments reflected appreciation for what he characterized as an enhanced level of detail and public engagement compared to previous years. This sentiment appeared to capture a broader satisfaction among committee members with the extensive review process that had preceded this final approval meeting. Without hesitation, Hammill moved the ordinance forward: "So therefore I'm going to go ahead and move to approve this 2026 budget." Chair Anderson confirmed the motion and opened the floor for additional questions or comments from committee members or other council members who might be present. Finding none, she called for the vote. ## The Vote and Looking Forward The vote was swift and unanimous. When Anderson called for all in favor to say "Aye," the response was immediate and unanimous from all three committee members present. There was no opposition voiced. Following the vote, Anderson outlined the next steps: "So I'll bring that for tonight for full council vote and that will end our committee and hopefully the 2026 budget until all the amendments come in next year." Her reference to amendments "coming in next year" reflected the reality that budget adjustments and modifications would inevitably arise as the year progressed and circumstances changed, but the foundational budget structure was now in place for 2026. ## Closing The meeting's conclusion was as efficient as its proceedings. Anderson formally ended the committee session and reminded attendees of the evening's full council meeting: "So end of committee and we'll see you tonight at 7 o'clock. Thank you." The brevity of this final budget committee meeting stood in notable contrast to the extensive deliberative process that had preceded it. The three-minute duration reflected not a lack of engagement, but rather the effectiveness of the comprehensive review process that had taken place over the previous months. Council members had clearly done their homework during the five work sessions, engaged meaningfully with public input during three public hearings, and arrived at this final meeting prepared to act decisively on a budget that represented their collective judgment about the city's priorities and fiscal responsibilities for 2026. The meeting exemplified efficient government in action—thorough preparation followed by swift, decisive action when the time for decision had arrived.