Budget and Finance Committee

**Council Member Hammill, on the budget process:** "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." **Council Member Anderson, opening the meeting:** "Our last agenda bill for today will be with the budget." **Finance Director Andy Asbjornsen, on the new fund:** "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."

# 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.

A structured study guide helping readers understand the meeting's content and context. Written for a general civic audience — assume no prior knowledge of the issues. ### Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council Budget and Finance Committee met on November 17, 2025, to formally approve the 2026 city budget for recommendation to the full City Council. The committee unanimously approved Agenda Bill 24741, an ordinance adopting the 2026 budget with total expenditures of $544.3 million. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Budget Ordinance:** A formal law passed by the city council that legally authorizes the city to spend money on specific programs and services during the budget year. **Operating Expenditures:** Day-to-day costs of running city services like police, fire, parks, and administration. For 2026, this totals $388.4 million. **Capital Expenditures:** Money spent on long-term assets like buildings, infrastructure, and major equipment. Bellingham's 2026 capital budget is $155.9 million. **Budget Work Sessions:** Special meetings where council members review budget details in depth, ask questions of staff, and discuss potential changes before the final vote. **Public Hearing:** A formal meeting where community members can speak directly to the council about proposed policies or budgets before final decisions are made. **Agenda Bill:** The official document that presents an issue to the city council for consideration, including background information and staff recommendations. **Fund:** A separate accounting entity within the city budget that tracks money dedicated to specific purposes, like the newly created Skate Park Construction Fund. **Committee Recommendation:** When a council committee votes to recommend approval or denial of an item to the full council for final action. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Lisa Anderson | Council Member, Budget and Finance Committee Chair | | Daniel Hammill | Council Member, Budget and Finance Committee | | Michael Lilliquist | Council Member, Budget and Finance Committee | | Andy Asbjornsen | Finance Director | ### Background Context City budgets are annual financial plans that determine how much money the city will spend on various services and where that money will come from. Washington state law requires cities to adopt their budgets by the end of the calendar year for the following year. Bellingham's budget process begins months in advance, with the mayor presenting a preliminary budget in late September, followed by extensive committee review, public input opportunities, and final adoption in December. The 2026 budget represents over half a billion dollars in planned spending across all city operations, from basic services like police and fire protection to infrastructure investments and community programs. This budget was developed through an unusually detailed review process, with five work sessions allowing council members to examine spending plans more thoroughly than in previous years. The budget process also included three public hearings where community members could provide input on city priorities and spending plans. ### What Happened — The Short Version This was a very brief meeting focused on one task: formally approving the 2026 city budget. Finance Director Andy Asbjornsen explained that the budget had been thoroughly reviewed through five work sessions and three public hearings since being introduced in September. The only new element was the creation of a special fund to track construction costs for a new waterfront skate park. Council Member Hammill praised the detailed review process and moved to approve the budget. The committee voted unanimously to recommend approval to the full City Council, which was scheduled to vote that evening. ### What to Watch Next • Full City Council vote on the 2026 budget scheduled for the evening of November 17, 2025 • Implementation of the budget beginning January 1, 2026 • Potential budget amendments throughout 2026 as circumstances change ---

**Q:** What was the total amount of Bellingham's 2026 budget? **A:** $544.3 million in total expenditures, including $388.4 million in operating costs and $155.9 million in capital expenditures. **Q:** When was Bellingham's preliminary 2026 budget first introduced? **A:** September 29, 2025, when the mayor presented it to the City Council. **Q:** How many budget work sessions did the City Council hold to review the 2026 budget? **A:** Five work sessions were held in October and November 2025. **Q:** What new fund was created as part of the 2026 budget process? **A:** The Skate Park Construction Fund (fund number 303) to track expenses for building the waterfront skate park under the Chestnut Street bridge. **Q:** Who serves on Bellingham's Budget and Finance Committee? **A:** Chair Lisa Anderson, Daniel Hammill, and Michael Lilliquist. **Q:** What is Andy Asbjornsen's role in city government? **A:** He is Bellingham's Finance Director. **Q:** How many public hearings were held on the 2026 budget? **A:** Three public hearings total - two specifically on the budget (October 6 and November 3) and one on the revenue forecast (October 20). **Q:** What was the agenda bill number for the budget ordinance? **A:** Agenda Bill 24741. **Q:** When does the 2026 budget take effect? **A:** January 1, 2026. **Q:** What did Council Member Hammill say about the budget review process? **A:** He said it was more rigorous and detailed than in previous administrations, giving the public plenty of time and opportunities to provide input. **Q:** What was the committee's final vote on the budget? **A:** Unanimous approval with no opposition. **Q:** When was the full City Council scheduled to vote on the budget? **A:** The evening of November 17, 2025, at 7 o'clock. **Q:** What type of meeting was this Budget and Finance Committee session? **A:** A committee meeting with no public comment period, focused on reviewing and voting on recommendations for the full council. **Q:** How long did this budget committee meeting last? **A:** Approximately 3 minutes. **Q:** What happens after the committee recommends approval? **A:** The item goes to the full City Council for final deliberation and vote. ---