The Whatcom County Council as the Health Board met jointly with the Public Health Advisory Board to address three critical agenda items that will shape the future of public health governance in the county. The most significant action was the 6-1 vote to form a new joint working group to develop recommendations for potentially expanding the Health Board structure, following months of research by a previous working group that unanimously recommended expansion under state law requirements. The meeting also featured urgent public health messaging from Health Officer Dr. Amy Harley about rising measles cases nationally, with Whatcom County's vaccination rates below the 95% threshold needed for community immunity. Deputy Executive Kayla Schott-Bresler outlined the recruitment process for a new Health and Community Services Director, emphasizing community stakeholder involvement in the hiring process. The Health Board structure discussion dominated the meeting, with extensive debate about representation, expertise, and community input. The working group's recommendation to expand the board to include tribal representatives, municipal officials, and public health professionals generated significant discussion about electoral accountability versus subject matter expertise. Council Member Ben Elenbaas cast the sole dissenting vote, expressing concerns about making substantial governmental changes without broader community input.
Whatcom County Council as the Health Board (Joint with Public Health Advisory Board)
Executive Summary
Key Decisions & Actions
**Motion 1 - Form New Working Group (AB2025-274):** Passed 6-1 (Elenbaas opposed). The Health Board voted to establish a new joint working group to develop options and recommendations regarding potential Health Board expansion. This follows the previous working group's unanimous recommendation to expand the board structure under RCW 70.05.035. **Motion 2 - Working Group Membership (AB2025-274):** Passed 7-0. The Health Board appointed Todd Donovan, Jon Scanlon, and Ben Elenbaas as the three Health Board representatives on the new working group. **Motion 3 - PHAB Working Group Selection (AB2025-274):** Passed by majority of PHAB. The Public Health Advisory Board agreed to select their working group representatives at their April 17 meeting, with up to four PHAB members eligible to participate. **Presentations Received:** The board received updates on measles outbreak response (AB2025-271) and the director recruitment process (AB2025-278) without formal action required.
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**April 10, 2025:** PHAB lobby day in Olympia to advocate for Foundational Public Health Services funding. Joni Hensley and Kelly Carroll will carpool, with others invited to join. **April 15, 2025:** Planned council presentation on Community Health and Human Services division update and Healthy Children's Fund spending evaluation. **April 17, 2025:** Next PHAB meeting where members will vote on up to four representatives for the new Health Board structure working group. **April 29, 2025:** Planned council presentation on fentanyl plan program evaluation and update. **TBD:** Severe weather shelter year-end review presentation to council. **TBD:** Legal and policy review of statutes to determine how PHAB duties would continue under expanded Health Board structure. **TBD:** Community forums potentially convened by PHAB to gather broader public input on Health Board structure changes.
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