Whatcom County Council

The Whatcom County Council held a routine regular meeting on March 10, 2026, processing 17 agenda bills with unanimous or near-unanimous approval across most items. The most significant action was the introduction of AB2026-213, which would authorize a new one-tenth of one percent sales and use tax for criminal justice purposes under RCW 82.14.345, potentially generating millions in additional revenue for county criminal justice operations. The meeting featured robust public participation with 21 speakers during Open Session, though the specific content of their testimony was not recorded in the available documents. The council also processed several major contracts, including an $891,918 agreement for ferry maintenance and a $752,159 flood mitigation engineering contract. A notable pattern emerged during voting on Introduction Items, where Council Member Ben Elenbaas cast the sole dissenting vote on seven of eight introduction items, including the criminal justice tax ordinance, budget amendments totaling over $4.6 million, and various appointments and reports. This represented the most significant voting divergence of the evening. The council successfully appointed Selena Knoblauch to a vacancy on the Planning Commission after an initial tie vote, with Chair Kaylee Galloway switching her support to achieve the necessary four-vote majority. Two executive appointments to advisory boards were confirmed unanimously. The meeting concluded with a 27-minute executive session to discuss pending litigation under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), extending slightly beyond the initially announced timeframe, followed by committee reports and member updates.

**Consent Agenda Items - All passed 7-0:** - AB2026-174: Authorized $891,918 contract with Lake Union Drydock Company for Whatcom Chief Ferry maintenance - AB2026-190: Authorized $752,159 contract with WSP USA for Everson-Nooksack Berms Project engineering (acting as Flood Control Zone District Board) - AB2026-192: Authorized $101,475 interlocal agreement amendment with Washington State Department of Health, bringing total agreement to $11,229,797 - AB2026-199: Authorized interlocal agreement with PUD No. 1 for water system operation and maintenance services **Other Items:** - AB2026-195: Approved resolution docketing Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulation amendments (passed 7-0, enacted as RES 2026-009) **Appointments:** - AB2026-172: Appointed Selena Knoblauch to Planning Commission District 1 or 5 vacancy (4 votes after vote switching) - AB2026-173: Appointed Makela Alem to Child and Family Well-Being Task Force (passed 7-0) - AB2026-179: Confirmed Steven Price to Housing Authority Board (passed 7-0) - AB2026-202: Confirmed JoEll Snyder to Conservation Easement Program Oversight Committee (passed 7-0) **Introduction Items - All passed 6-1 (Elenbaas dissenting):** - AB2026-213: Criminal justice sales tax ordinance (introduced for public hearing) - AB2026-204 & AB2026-206: Budget amendments totaling $4,661,391 - Multiple project fund amendments and reports

**Council Member Ben Elenbaas, on the comprehensive plan docket:** "It is not perfect, and holding it will not make it perfect, and they also have the ability to amend the docket at any time." **Council Member Ben Elenbaas, on his wife's Planning Commission application:** "He does not believe there are any legal issues with his wife being an applicant." **Chair Kaylee Galloway, on the Planning Commission appointment process:** "They will vote and the first applicant to get four votes will be appointed." **Chair Kaylee Galloway, changing her vote:** "After the first vote, Galloway stated she would change her vote to Knoblauch." **Anonymous council member concern about the docket:** "A concern that the docket gets prioritized by staff so it seems like a place where things go to die."

# Real Briefings — Supplemental Content ## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE ### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council held its regular meeting on March 10, 2026, with all seven councilmembers present. The meeting covered routine business including contract authorizations, advisory group appointments, and introduction of budget amendments and a new criminal justice tax proposal. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Consent Agenda:** A group of routine items that can be approved together in a single vote to streamline meetings. Any councilmember or member of the public can request that an item be considered separately. **Docketing:** The formal process of adding proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations to an official list for future consideration and public review. **Executive Session:** A closed meeting where councilmembers discuss confidential matters like pending litigation. The public is excluded but the session must be announced with the legal reason and expected duration. **Flood Control Zone District Board:** A separate governmental role where county councilmembers act as supervisors for flood control projects. This requires separate votes and legal authority. **Introduction Items:** Proposed ordinances or appointments that are formally introduced but not yet voted on. Introduction allows for committee review and public input before final action. **Interlocal Agreement:** A contract between different government agencies (like the county and state) that outlines shared responsibilities, funding, or services. **Open Session:** A time during council meetings when members of the public can speak for up to three minutes on issues not scheduled for public hearings. **Quasi-judicial:** A legal role where the council acts like a judge in specific types of decisions, such as major development permits. This restricts what councilmembers can discuss outside of formal proceedings. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kaylee Galloway | Council Chair | | Elizabeth Boyle | Councilmember | | Barry Buchanan | Councilmember | | Ben Elenbaas | Councilmember | | Jessica Rienstra | Councilmember | | Jon Scanlon | Councilmember | | Mark Stremler | Councilmember | | Cathy Halka | Clerk of the Council | | Kimberly Thulin | County Attorney | | Selena Knoblauch | Appointed to Planning Commission | | Makela Alem | Appointed to Child and Family Well-Being Task Force | | Steven Price | Confirmed for Housing Authority Board | | JoEll Snyder | Confirmed for Conservation Easement Program Oversight Committee | ### Background Context This meeting represents typical county council business, balancing infrastructure maintenance, regulatory oversight, and citizen engagement. The ferry maintenance contract highlights the county's responsibility for providing essential transportation services to remote areas. The flood control project reflects ongoing efforts to protect communities from natural disasters, particularly important in flood-prone areas like Everson and Nooksack. The advisory group appointments demonstrate the county's reliance on citizen volunteers to provide expertise and community input on specialized topics like planning, housing, and conservation. The introduction of a new criminal justice tax shows how local governments seek funding for essential services when existing revenue sources are insufficient. ### What Happened — The Short Version The council approved several routine contracts including $891,918 for ferry maintenance and $752,159 for flood control engineering. They appointed citizens to serve on advisory committees, including a competitive vote for the Planning Commission where Selena Knoblauch won with four votes. The council introduced eight items for future consideration, including budget amendments totaling over $4.6 million and a new tax proposal for criminal justice services. Twenty-one community members spoke during Open Session. The meeting concluded with a 27-minute executive session to discuss pending litigation, with councilmembers providing updates afterward. ### What to Watch Next • Final votes on the budget amendments and criminal justice tax after committee review and public input • Future meetings where the docketed Comprehensive Plan amendments will be prioritized and scheduled for work • Upcoming deadline of April 7, 2026, for additional applications to the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee --- ## MODULE S2: FLASH CARDS **Q:** How much did the council authorize to spend on ferry maintenance? **A:** $891,918 for drydocking, repair, and maintenance of the Whatcom Chief Ferry through Lake Union Drydock Company. **Q:** Who was appointed to the Planning Commission? **A:** Selena Knoblauch was appointed after receiving four votes in a competitive process with six applicants. **Q:** What is the purpose of AB2026-213? **A:** To authorize a new sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) for criminal justice purposes. **Q:** How many people spoke during Open Session? **A:** Twenty-one community members spoke during the public comment period. **Q:** What role does the council serve when approving the Everson-Nooksack Berms Project? **A:** They act as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors. **Q:** How much is the engineering contract for the flood control berms project? **A:** $752,159.46 to WSP USA, Inc for engineering and design services. **Q:** Which councilmember voted against all introduction items? **A:** Ben Elenbaas was the sole "no" vote on all eight introduction items. **Q:** What was discussed during the executive session? **A:** Pending litigation, as authorized under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), with county attorney Kimberly Thulin present. **Q:** Who serves as Chair of the County Council? **A:** Kaylee Galloway serves as Council Chair. **Q:** What is the deadline for additional applications to the JPOP Committee? **A:** 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. **Q:** How long did the executive session last? **A:** 27 minutes, from 7:17 p.m. to 7:44 p.m. **Q:** What did the council do with the Comprehensive Plan docket resolution? **A:** They approved AB2026-195 unanimously (7-0), assigned resolution number RES 2026-009. **Q:** How much will the health department agreement be worth after the amendment? **A:** $11,229,797 total, with an additional $101,475 being added. **Q:** Who was confirmed to the Housing Authority Board? **A:** Steven Price was confirmed as the County Executive's appointment. **Q:** What is the largest budget amendment being introduced? **A:** $3,920,278 in AB2026-206 (Budget amendment request no. 6). **Q:** How are Planning Commission appointments decided when there are multiple candidates? **A:** The first applicant to receive four votes is appointed. **Q:** What agreement involves the Public Utility District? **A:** An interlocal agreement for the PUD to operate and maintain water systems as an agent for the county. **Q:** How did Chair Galloway change her Planning Commission vote? **A:** She initially voted for Jeremy Thompson but changed to Selena Knoblauch after the first round. **Q:** What was closed with AB2026-200? **A:** The Bellingham Senior Center HVAC Replacement Fund. **Q:** Who moved most of the consent agenda items? **A:** Jon Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved approval. --- ## MODULE S3: QUIZ WITH ANSWER KEY **Question 1: How much money did the council authorize for the Whatcom Chief Ferry maintenance contract?** - A) $752,159 - B) $891,918 - C) $741,113 - D) $3,920,278 **Question 2: Who was appointed to serve on the Planning Commission?** - A) Jeremy Thompson - B) Lindsey Elenbaas - C) Selena Knoblauch - D) Gurdeep Bains **Question 3: Which councilmember was the sole "no" vote on all introduction items?** - A) Barry Buchanan - B) Ben Elenbaas - C) Jessica Rienstra - D) Jon Scanlon **Question 4: What is the purpose of the proposed sales and use tax in AB2026-213?** - A) Transportation improvements - B) Parks and recreation - C) Criminal justice purposes - D) Flood control projects **Question 5: How many community members spoke during Open Session?** - A) 18 - B) 19 - C) 20 - D) 21 **Question 6: What special role does the council serve for the Everson-Nooksack Berms Project?** - A) City Council - B) Planning Commission - C) Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors - D) Housing Authority Board **Question 7: How long did the executive session last?** - A) 15 minutes - B) 22 minutes - C) 27 minutes - D) 35 minutes **Question 8: What was the total amended amount of the health department interlocal agreement?** - A) $101,475 - B) $752,159 - C) $891,918 - D) $11,229,797 **Question 9: Who serves as Chair of the Whatcom County Council?** - A) Elizabeth Boyle - B) Jessica Rienstra - C) Kaylee Galloway - D) Jon Scanlon **Question 10: When is the deadline for additional applications to the JPOP Committee?** - A) March 24, 2026 - B) April 7, 2026 - C) April 14, 2026 - D) May 1, 2026 **Answer Key:** **1. B — The council authorized $891,918 for Lake Union Drydock Company to perform drydocking, repair, and maintenance of the Whatcom Chief Ferry.** **2. C — Selena Knoblauch was appointed to the Planning Commission after receiving four votes in the second round of voting.** **3. B — Ben Elenbaas cast the sole "no" vote on all eight introduction items, while the other six councilmembers voted yes.** **4. C — AB2026-213 proposes a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for criminal justice purposes as authorized by state law.** **5. D — The minutes specifically list 21 people who spoke during Open Session.** **6. C — When approving the berms project, the council acts as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors.** **7. C — The executive session ran from 7:17 p.m. to 7:44 p.m., lasting 27 minutes.** **8. D — The health department agreement was amended to a total of $11,229,797, adding $101,475 to the existing agreement.** **9. C — Kaylee Galloway serves as Council Chair and called the meeting to order.** **10. B — The deadline for additional applications to the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee is 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.** --- ## MODULE S4: Q&A — COMMON QUESTIONS **Q: Why does the county need to spend almost $900,000 on ferry maintenance?** A: The Whatcom Chief Ferry provides essential transportation service to communities that would otherwise be isolated. Like any marine vessel, ferries require regular drydocking for hull maintenance, engine repairs, and safety inspections to ensure reliable service. This type of major maintenance happens periodically and is significantly more expensive than routine upkeep. **Q: How competitive was the Planning Commission appointment process?** A: Very competitive, with six qualified candidates applying for one position. The voting was close, with Selena Knoblauch and Ben Elenbaas each receiving three votes initially, requiring Chair Galloway to change her vote to break the tie. This demonstrates healthy civic engagement when multiple qualified people want to serve. **Q: Why did Ben Elenbaas vote against all the introduction items?** A: The minutes don't provide his reasoning for the consistent "no" votes on introduction items. Since these were just introductions (not final approvals), his votes may reflect concerns about the process, priorities, or specific content that will be addressed during committee review. **Q: What does the new criminal justice tax actually mean for taxpayers?** A: The proposed tax would be one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) on sales and purchases. For every $100 spent, this would add 10 cents in tax. The money would fund criminal justice services like courts, prosecution, public defense, or jail operations. This still needs committee review and a public hearing before final approval. **Q: Why was there an executive session about litigation?** A: Executive sessions for litigation allow councilmembers to receive confidential legal advice about pending lawsuits without compromising the county's legal position. The content must remain confidential, but the 27-minute length suggests a significant legal matter requiring detailed discussion. **Q: How does the flood control project protect the community?** A: The Everson-Nooksack Berms Project involves engineering design for flood barriers that protect homes and businesses from river flooding. Whatcom County has experienced significant flood damage in recent years, making these infrastructure investments crucial for public safety and economic protection. **Q: What happens to all the items that were just introduced?** A: Introduction items go to appropriate committees for detailed review, public input, and amendments if needed. Budget amendments will be analyzed for fiscal impact, while the tax proposal requires a public hearing before final council vote. The process typically takes several weeks. **Q: Are there any conflicts of interest with the appointments?** A: Ben Elenbaas addressed this directly, stating he didn't believe there were legal issues with his wife Lindsey being an applicant for the Planning Commission position. While he participated in the vote, his wife did not receive enough votes to be appointed. **Q: Why did so many people speak during Open Session?** A: The minutes don't specify what topics the 21 speakers addressed, but large turnouts typically indicate community concern about specific issues, policy proposals, or upcoming decisions. Open Session allows public input on matters not scheduled for formal hearings. **Q: What comes next for the Comprehensive Plan amendments that were docketed?** A: Docketing is just the first step - it creates an official list of proposed changes for future consideration. Council expressed concerns about prioritization and ensuring docketed items don't just disappear. Staff will now prioritize these amendments and schedule them for public review and hearings, though the timeline isn't specified.

## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE **Meeting ID:** WHA-CON-2026-03-10 ### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council held its regular meeting on March 10, 2026, with all seven councilmembers present. The meeting covered routine business including contract authorizations, advisory group appointments, and introduction of budget amendments and a new criminal justice tax proposal. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Consent Agenda:** A group of routine items that can be approved together in a single vote to streamline meetings. Any councilmember or member of the public can request that an item be considered separately. **Docketing:** The formal process of adding proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations to an official list for future consideration and public review. **Executive Session:** A closed meeting where councilmembers discuss confidential matters like pending litigation. The public is excluded but the session must be announced with the legal reason and expected duration. **Flood Control Zone District Board:** A separate governmental role where county councilmembers act as supervisors for flood control projects. This requires separate votes and legal authority. **Introduction Items:** Proposed ordinances or appointments that are formally introduced but not yet voted on. Introduction allows for committee review and public input before final action. **Interlocal Agreement:** A contract between different government agencies (like the county and state) that outlines shared responsibilities, funding, or services. **Open Session:** A time during council meetings when members of the public can speak for up to three minutes on issues not scheduled for public hearings. **Quasi-judicial:** A legal role where the council acts like a judge in specific types of decisions, such as major development permits. This restricts what councilmembers can discuss outside of formal proceedings. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kaylee Galloway | Council Chair | | Elizabeth Boyle | Councilmember | | Barry Buchanan | Councilmember | | Ben Elenbaas | Councilmember | | Jessica Rienstra | Councilmember | | Jon Scanlon | Councilmember | | Mark Stremler | Councilmember | | Cathy Halka | Clerk of the Council | | Kimberly Thulin | County Attorney | | Selena Knoblauch | Appointed to Planning Commission | | Makela Alem | Appointed to Child and Family Well-Being Task Force | | Steven Price | Confirmed for Housing Authority Board | | JoEll Snyder | Confirmed for Conservation Easement Program Oversight Committee | ### Background Context This meeting represents typical county council business, balancing infrastructure maintenance, regulatory oversight, and citizen engagement. The ferry maintenance contract highlights the county's responsibility for providing essential transportation services to remote areas. The flood control project reflects ongoing efforts to protect communities from natural disasters, particularly important in flood-prone areas like Everson and Nooksack. The advisory group appointments demonstrate the county's reliance on citizen volunteers to provide expertise and community input on specialized topics like planning, housing, and conservation. The introduction of a new criminal justice tax shows how local governments seek funding for essential services when existing revenue sources are insufficient. ### What Happened — The Short Version The council approved several routine contracts including $891,918 for ferry maintenance and $752,159 for flood control engineering. They appointed citizens to serve on advisory committees, including a competitive vote for the Planning Commission where Selena Knoblauch won with four votes. The council introduced eight items for future consideration, including budget amendments totaling over $4.6 million and a new tax proposal for criminal justice services. Twenty-one community members spoke during Open Session. The meeting concluded with a 27-minute executive session to discuss pending litigation, with councilmembers providing updates afterward. ### What to Watch Next • Final votes on the budget amendments and criminal justice tax after committee review and public input • Future meetings where the docketed Comprehensive Plan amendments will be prioritized and scheduled for work • Upcoming deadline of April 7, 2026, for additional applications to the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee ---

## MODULE S2: FLASH CARDS **Meeting ID:** WHA-CON-2026-03-10 **Q:** How much did the council authorize to spend on ferry maintenance? **A:** $891,918 for drydocking, repair, and maintenance of the Whatcom Chief Ferry through Lake Union Drydock Company. **Q:** Who was appointed to the Planning Commission? **A:** Selena Knoblauch was appointed after receiving four votes in a competitive process with six applicants. **Q:** What is the purpose of AB2026-213? **A:** To authorize a new sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) for criminal justice purposes. **Q:** How many people spoke during Open Session? **A:** Twenty-one community members spoke during the public comment period. **Q:** What role does the council serve when approving the Everson-Nooksack Berms Project? **A:** They act as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors. **Q:** How much is the engineering contract for the flood control berms project? **A:** $752,159.46 to WSP USA, Inc for engineering and design services. **Q:** Which councilmember voted against all introduction items? **A:** Ben Elenbaas was the sole "no" vote on all eight introduction items. **Q:** What was discussed during the executive session? **A:** Pending litigation, as authorized under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), with county attorney Kimberly Thulin present. **Q:** Who serves as Chair of the County Council? **A:** Kaylee Galloway serves as Council Chair. **Q:** What is the deadline for additional applications to the JPOP Committee? **A:** 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. **Q:** How long did the executive session last? **A:** 27 minutes, from 7:17 p.m. to 7:44 p.m. **Q:** What did the council do with the Comprehensive Plan docket resolution? **A:** They approved AB2026-195 unanimously (7-0), assigned resolution number RES 2026-009. **Q:** How much will the health department agreement be worth after the amendment? **A:** $11,229,797 total, with an additional $101,475 being added. **Q:** Who was confirmed to the Housing Authority Board? **A:** Steven Price was confirmed as the County Executive's appointment. **Q:** What is the largest budget amendment being introduced? **A:** $3,920,278 in AB2026-206 (Budget amendment request no. 6). **Q:** How are Planning Commission appointments decided when there are multiple candidates? **A:** The first applicant to receive four votes is appointed. **Q:** What agreement involves the Public Utility District? **A:** An interlocal agreement for the PUD to operate and maintain water systems as an agent for the county. **Q:** How did Chair Galloway change her Planning Commission vote? **A:** She initially voted for Jeremy Thompson but changed to Selena Knoblauch after the first round. **Q:** What was closed with AB2026-200? **A:** The Bellingham Senior Center HVAC Replacement Fund. **Q:** Who moved most of the consent agenda items? **A:** Jon Scanlon reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved approval. ---