Whatcom County Council

The retreat provided comprehensive briefings on council office functions, from Open Public Meetings Act compliance to travel reimbursement procedures. Staff presentations covered the agenda management system, Board of Equalization operations, advisory group oversight, and upcoming emergency preparedness documents. The session included significant discussion about streamlining the county's 54 advisory groups, with Council Member Elenbaas requesting recommendations for consolidation. A major portion of the day involved facilitated strategic planning led by Eric Johnson from Columbia Policy Advisors. Council members identified 24 strategic issues ranging from completing the comprehensive plan update to improving government transparency and trust. Priority areas included housing and homelessness, flood recovery and mitigation, business development, healthcare access, and the new justice center project. The retreat also addressed procedural matters including comprehensive plan review processes, meeting management, and the relationship between council and executive branches. Legal updates covered attorney-client privilege, executive session protocols, and the scope of legal representation for council members.

**Motion 1:** Hire an intern for the spring quarter **Vote:** Approved 7-0 **Details:** 15 hours per week, quarter-by-quarter basis, part-time temporary extra help position with budget flexibility **Motion 2:** Appoint Elenbaas, Stremler, and Rienstra to the hiring committee **Vote:** Approved 7-0 **Amendment:** Originally proposed Elenbaas and Stremler; amended to include Rienstra for North County representation **Timeline:** Applications to start immediately, interviews in March, position begins April through mid-June

"I think 54 is insane. I don't, I can't even fathom that it functions appropriately, or that you can even deal with that." **Cathy Halka, on OPMA compliance:** "Really anytime a quorum gets together to talk about anything county business related, it should be a properly noticed meeting." **County Executive Sidhu, on communication:** "We want councilmembers to reach out to the Administration, that councilmembers should reach out directly to department heads and copy the Executive's Office when they need information." **Council Member Buchanan, on timing:** "I personally find that very challenging, like the afternoon before a council meeting to receive, you know, a resolution." **Facilitator Eric Johnson, on strategic planning:** "Think about political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal realms and write down how the current operating environment and culture...is going to affect the work that you have coming up." **Council Member Boyle, on strategic issues:** "Housing and care (support) for our unstably- or under-housed individuals."

A structured study guide helping readers understand the meeting's content and context. ### Meeting Overview On February 17, 2026, the Whatcom County Council held a special all-day informational retreat to review council policies and procedures, and conduct strategic planning for 2026. The meeting lasted nearly 7 hours and covered council operations, legal updates, and priority-setting exercises. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA):** Washington State law requiring government bodies to conduct business in public meetings with proper notice. Any gathering of a quorum (4 council members) to discuss county business must be publicly noticed. **Quorum:** The minimum number of council members needed to conduct official business, now four members since the council expanded to seven members. **Advisory Groups:** Citizen committees appointed by either the council or county executive to provide input on specific policy areas. Whatcom County has 54 such groups. **Board of Equalization:** A quasi-judicial body that hears appeals of property tax assessments. Currently processing over 867 appeals for the 2025 assessment year. **Comprehensive Plan:** Long-range planning document that guides county development and land use decisions, currently being updated after a decade. **Legislative Information Center (Insight):** Public-facing online system where citizens can access county meeting agendas, minutes, and legislation dating back to 1979. **Executive Session:** Closed-door meeting allowed under specific circumstances like legal matters or personnel issues. **Committee of the Whole:** Council meeting format where all seven members participate in discussion, often used for policy development. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kaylee Galloway | Council Chair | | Elizabeth Boyle | Council Member | | Barry Buchanan | Council Member | | Ben Elenbaas | Council Member | | Jessica Rienstra | Council Member | | Jon Scanlon | Council Member | | Mark Stremler | Council Member | | Cathy Halka | Clerk of the Council | | Satpal Sidhu | County Executive | | Eric Johnson | Columbia Policy Advisors (facilitator) | | Kimberly Thulin | Prosecuting Attorney | | Tom Seguine | Chief Civil Prosecutor | ### Background Context This retreat represented the first major strategic planning session for the newly constituted seven-member council (expanded from five in 2024). The timing was significant as the council faces several major initiatives including completing the first comprehensive plan update in over a decade, opening a new justice center, recovering from recent flooding, and implementing the voter-approved Healthy Children's Fund. The retreat format allows council members to step back from regular business and focus on big-picture planning and operational improvements. The meeting's extensive agenda reflected the complexity of county government operations, from technical aspects like public records management to strategic questions about housing, economic development, and government transparency. The council is also navigating new roles and responsibilities that come with representing a larger, more diverse population as the county continues to grow. ### What Happened — The Short Version The council spent the morning learning about office operations from staff, including how public meetings work, records management, and communication services. They voted to hire an intern and selected a hiring committee. Staff explained how various county systems work, from property tax appeals to legislative research. After lunch, the county executive briefed them on department priorities and budget timelines. The prosecutor's office explained legal procedures and attorney-client relationships. The afternoon focused on strategic planning, with members identifying priority issues like housing, flood recovery, economic development, and government transparency. A professional facilitator led exercises where council members shared their priorities and envisioned county accomplishments three years from now. Common themes included better basic services, housing solutions, flood preparedness, and improved community trust in government. ### What to Watch Next - March 3: First special comprehensive plan meeting (chapters 1-3) - April 14: Final deadline for comprehensive plan amendments - May 12: Final comprehensive plan public hearing - Spring quarter: New council intern begins work - Ongoing: Board of Equalization hearings processing 867+ property tax appeals ---

**Q:** How many council members make a quorum under OPMA? **A:** Four members. Any time four or more council members gather to discuss county business, it must be a properly noticed public meeting. **Q:** What is the council's deadline for adding items to next week's agenda? **A:** Tuesday at noon, one week before the meeting date. **Q:** How many advisory groups does Whatcom County have? **A:** 54 advisory groups, with about half appointed by the council and half by the county executive. **Q:** What major planning document is the council currently updating? **A:** The Comprehensive Plan, which hasn't been updated in over a decade and guides county development and land use. **Q:** How many property tax appeals is the Board of Equalization processing this year? **A:** Over 867 appeals for the 2025 assessment year, including many from Lummi Island due to reassessments. **Q:** What special process did the assessor's office implement for flood-damaged properties? **A:** They proactively inspected and issued re-evaluations for 820 flood-affected properties, rather than waiting for owners to file damage claims. **Q:** Who facilitates council strategic planning discussions? **A:** Eric Johnson from Columbia Policy Advisors led the strategic planning exercises at this retreat. **Q:** What are the council's two main meeting format types mentioned? **A:** Regular council meetings and Committee of the Whole meetings, where all seven members participate in policy discussions. **Q:** What is the Legislative Information Center? **A:** Also called "Insight," it's the public online system for accessing county meeting agendas, minutes, and legislation back to 1979. **Q:** What new position did the prosecutor's office introduce? **A:** Tom Seguine as the new Chief Civil Prosecutor, who will work directly with the council on legal matters. **Q:** What are council members' individual annual travel budgets? **A:** $5,000 per council member, with additional funds available from a shared travel account if needed. **Q:** How long is the typical council internship? **A:** One academic quarter (about 3 months) at 15 hours per week, with potential for renewal. **Q:** What is the council's target timeline for comprehensive plan completion? **A:** Introduction on April 28th and final public hearing on May 12th, 2026. **Q:** What was identified as a top strategic priority by multiple council members? **A:** Housing and support services for unstably housed individuals, mentioned by several members. **Q:** What major infrastructure project is the county currently developing? **A:** A new justice and behavioral care center, identified as a key 2026 priority. ---