### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council held a Special Meeting Committee of the Whole on January 14, 2025, for their annual reorganization. All seven council members were present to select new leadership positions and assign committee memberships for 2025. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Committee of the Whole:** A meeting format where all council members meet as a committee to discuss matters informally before formal action. **Executive Pro Tempore:** A council officer who serves as a backup to the chair and vice chair, but who cannot serve on the Council of Governments (COG). **Standing Committees:** Permanent council committees that handle specific areas of county business, including Criminal Justice & Public Safety, Finance & Administrative Services, Planning & Development, Public Works & Health, and Climate Action & Natural Resources. **Council of Governments (COG):** A regional body where multiple jurisdictions coordinate on shared issues; the Executive Pro Tempore is prohibited from serving on this body. **WSAC:** Washington State Association of Counties - an organization representing all 39 counties in Washington State on legislative and policy issues. **Lake Whatcom Policy Group:** A special committee focused on protecting Lake Whatcom, the region's primary drinking water source. **Swiss (Snohomish, Whatcom, Island, Skagit, San Juan):** A regional partnership between five northwestern Washington counties. **Reorganization:** The annual process where the council selects leadership positions and assigns committee memberships for the coming year. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Barry Buchanan | Outgoing Council Chair (2024), At-Large A | | Kaylee Galloway | Newly elected Council Chair (2025), District 1 | | Jon Scanlon | Newly elected Council Vice-Chair, At-Large B | | Todd Donovan | Newly elected Executive Pro Tempore, District 2 | | Tyler Byrd | Council Member, District 4 | | Ben Elenbaas | Council Member, District 5 | | Mark Stremler | Council Member, District 3 | ### Background Context This annual reorganization meeting is required by county procedures and allows the council to adapt their structure and leadership for the year ahead. Committee assignments are particularly important because they determine which council members will have the deepest involvement in specific policy areas. The leadership positions (Chair, Vice-Chair, Executive Pro Tempore) rotate among council members, providing different perspectives and ensuring shared responsibility for running council meetings and representing the county externally. The restrictions on certain positions (like the Executive Pro Tempore not being able to serve on COG) ensure proper separation of duties and prevent conflicts of interest in regional governance. ### What Happened — The Short Version Barry Buchanan opened the meeting as outgoing chair. Council members nominated and elected Kaylee Galloway as the new Council Chair for 2025, with Jon Scanlon as Vice-Chair and Todd Donovan as Executive Pro Tempore. The bulk of the meeting involved systematically going through dozens of committee and board appointments, with council members self-nominating for positions of interest and the group voting on appointments. The process was collaborative, with members sometimes withdrawing nominations to avoid contested votes or to allow colleagues to serve in areas matching their expertise or districts. ### What to Watch Next - The next Council meeting where the newly appointed committee chairs will begin leading their respective committees - How the new committee compositions handle major 2025 issues like solid waste policy changes and legislative session priorities - The effectiveness of the new leadership team in managing council operations and external relationships ---

**Q:** Who was elected Council Chair for 2025? **A:** Kaylee Galloway was elected with 6 votes, defeating a declined nomination of Jon Scanlon. **Q:** Which council member serves as Vice-Chair for 2025? **A:** Jon Scanlon was elected Vice-Chair, receiving 6 votes compared to Tyler Byrd's 1 vote. **Q:** What is the role of Executive Pro Tempore? **A:** A backup leadership position that cannot serve on the Council of Governments (COG). Todd Donovan was elected to this role. **Q:** How many standing committees does the County Council have? **A:** Five standing committees: Criminal Justice & Public Safety, Finance & Administrative Services, Planning & Development, Public Works & Health, and Climate Action & Natural Resources. **Q:** Who chairs the Finance & Administrative Services Committee? **A:** The committee includes Buchanan, Byrd, and Donovan, with the chair automatically serving as Council Rep to What-Comm Administrative Board. **Q:** What is the Lake Whatcom Policy Group? **A:** A special committee focused on protecting Lake Whatcom. Donovan and Galloway were appointed as the two representatives from the Climate Action & Natural Resources Committee. **Q:** Which council member was appointed to the most committees? **A:** Barry Buchanan was appointed to numerous committees including several justice-related boards and WSAC positions. **Q:** What does WSAC stand for? **A:** Washington State Association of Counties - the organization representing all 39 counties in Washington State. **Q:** Who represents the county on the Northwest Clean Air Agency? **A:** Todd Donovan was appointed, defeating Ben Elenbaas who noted his air regulatory experience. **Q:** When did the reorganization meeting adjourn? **A:** The meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m., with an executive session scheduled to follow at 9:50 a.m. **Q:** How many council members were present for the meeting? **A:** All seven council members were present: Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler. **Q:** What committee focuses on solid waste issues? **A:** The Solid Waste Advisory Committee, with Mark Stremler continuing his appointment to this role. **Q:** Who was appointed to represent the county on transportation issues? **A:** Jon Scanlon was appointed to the COG Transportation Policy Board, with Galloway as alternate. **Q:** Which council member will serve on the Racial Equity Commission? **A:** Kaylee Galloway was reappointed to continue her non-voting role on the Racial Equity Commission. **Q:** What happens with the Climate Impact Advisory Committee appointment? **A:** No new appointment was needed because Galloway's three-year term continues through December 31, 2025. **Q:** Who was appointed to handle ferry-related issues? **A:** Jon Scanlon was appointed as the non-voting attendee to the Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee. **Q:** Which committee will Ben Elenbaas chair? **A:** Elenbaas was elected to chair the Planning & Development Committee, along with Donovan and Scanlon. **Q:** Who will represent the county on emergency management issues? **A:** Ben Elenbaas was appointed to both the EMS Oversight Board and Local Emergency Planning Committee. ---