# Whatcom County Finance Committee Tackles Water Storage Studies and Gun Buyback Program ## Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Finance and Administrative Services Committee convened Tuesday morning, January 14, 2025, in the Council Chambers for their first meeting of the new year. Committee members Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, and Barry Buchanan were present for what would prove to be a routine but substantive session covering 22 action items totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars in county business. The meeting began with the annual ritual of selecting committee leadership. In a moment that reflected both collegiality and political positioning, the three members navigated the chair nomination process with Donovan ultimately retaining his leadership role by a 2-1 vote. The brief contest—with Byrd nominating himself before Donovan expressed his desire to continue chairing during his final year—set a tone of respectful competition that would characterize the morning's proceedings. What followed was a methodical march through 20 consent agenda items worth over $1.3 million in contracts and agreements, punctuated by detailed discussions on water storage feasibility studies and a controversial gun buyback program. The meeting exemplified the nuts-and-bolts work of county government: balancing environmental stewardship, public safety initiatives, and fiscal oversight while navigating the complexities of intergovernmental cooperation. ## Leadership Selection: Donovan Retains Committee Chair The meeting opened with the procedural but politically significant task of selecting a committee chair for 2025. Buchanan moved to nominate Donovan, but Byrd quickly interjected with his own nomination for himself. "Todd, if you don't mind, I would like to chair this committee again," Donovan said, making his case for continuity. "I appreciate that. I'd like to continue doing it for my final year." The brief exchange revealed the personal dynamics at play as Donovan, in his final year on the council, sought to maintain his leadership role. When the vote was called, the result reflected both institutional continuity and personal relationships: Buchanan and Donovan voted for Donovan, while Byrd cast his sole vote for himself. "And that passes with Donovan as chair two to one," Donovan declared, immediately assuming his role and moving the committee toward its substantial agenda. ## Water Storage Studies: Balancing Environmental Benefits and Fiscal Prudence The most technically complex discussion of the morning centered on agenda item 14, an $80,000 contract with Anchor QEA to study the feasibility of two water storage projects: Musto Marsh and Springsteen Lake. The projects, designed primarily for stream flow enhancement rather than flood control or water supply, emerged from a broader county initiative to address water challenges in the Nooksack River watershed. Council member Kathy Kershner pressed Gary Stoyka from Public Works for details about how this study compared to previous work. Stoyka explained that the county had acted as fiscal agent for funding awarded to the YRO-1 Watershed Management Board, and that this study would advance beyond the "very broad overview" of the initial storage assessment. "The first study that was done, the storage study, was just a very broad overview of different storage projects that might be possible," Stoyka explained. "So this is taking a little closer look, looking at taking actual flow measurements, doing an actual site visit, doing maybe some geotechnical borings to see what the soils are like." The projects carry a preliminary price tag of $26 million for three storage alternatives, though Stoyka emphasized these were "very preliminary prices" based on "a very high level review." When Kershner questioned whether these projects would actually make a meaningful difference, Stoyka acknowledged the fundamental challenge facing the county. "The South Fork experience is pretty low flows in the summer and so this would certainly, these projects would certainly help, but we would have to get a real understanding of how much they would help to determine if it would be worth the money spent versus some other project," he said. The discussion revealed the complex calculus of environmental management in Whatcom County, where officials must balance the urgent need for water storage solutions against limited financial resources and uncertain outcomes. Stoyka confirmed that if the studies showed "minuscule" benefits relative to the cost, the county retained the option to abandon the projects in favor of alternatives like moving wells or installing pipelines. Regarding property acquisition, Stoyka noted that projects might require either direct purchase or easements, with Springsteen Lake being "pretty high up" on logging land where easements might suffice. ## Gun Buyback Program: Navigating Second Amendment Sensitivities The committee's discussion of agenda item 18—a $125,000 gun buyback program funded through Attorney General cy pres money—generated the morning's most ideologically charged exchange. The program, officially styled as using funds from a settlement with a gun store that allegedly sold high-capacity magazines after the state ban, prompted searching questions about purpose, process, and terminology. Council member Kershner immediately challenged the program's branding. "I find it interesting that it's called a gun buyback when we didn't sell it, we didn't sell these firearms to them. Isn't that kind of a twist on words?" Undersheriff Steve Harris acknowledged the semantic issue while defending the program's intent. "I think the meaning intent is saying that we're buying them back from the community in general as whole, not as an individual." Harris described the program's origins in practical terms, recounting how a longtime veteran had approached the sheriff's office wanting to dispose of firearms without selling them through commercial channels. The veteran "felt that he didn't want to sell them because he wanted to control what actually happened to these firearms when he left his possession." When pressed about the program's goals, Harris articulated a measured approach to public safety. "It's never intended to try to encourage or somebody who wants to keep their firearms to turn them into the government, so to speak," he said. "This is just an opportunity for folks who have firearms that they don't use, don't need to get a little bit of money and return for them and get them off the street." The process for handling collected firearms reflected law enforcement professionalism: every serialized weapon would be checked against databases of stolen firearms and those used in crimes, with stolen weapons returned to rightful owners and others destroyed. Council member Byrd offered strong support for the program despite his pro-Second Amendment stance. "I will say as a very avid Second Amendment supporter and pro-gun individual, who owns several firearms myself, I'm supportive of this program," he declared. "It's one less firearm we had to worry about potentially getting into the hands of a criminal or somebody who shouldn't have it." Harris revealed that the county had received five times more funding than originally requested—$125,000 instead of $25,000—creating opportunities to expand the program's scope. He mentioned potential uses for remaining funds, including firearm safety classes, gun safes for low-income residents, and expanded evidence storage capacity for the sheriff's office. The discussion of expanded programming struck a chord with several committee members. Byrd expressed interest in combining firearm safety courses with reopening the county's indoor range, particularly noting conversation about "holding spaces for women in particular." He also emphasized the importance of gun violence prevention work in schools, reflecting on teachers' concerns about "not if, but when gun violence will happen in their schools." Harris confirmed the program's voluntary nature and two-year spending timeline, while noting ongoing discussions with the Attorney General's office about expanding the scope beyond the original application. "We would love to be able to offer classes. And even if it's buying a gun safe or gun locks for people who can't afford them, whatever we can do to assist," he said. The program's name—derived from the Latin legal term "cy pres" meaning "as near as possible"—became a moment of levity when no one in the room could immediately translate the term, with the record noting that attorney Tyler Ream "does not know" the translation. ## Financial Services Contract Extension: Oversight and Transparency Concerns The committee's discussion of a $60,000 contract extension with PFM Financial Services LLC revealed underlying tensions about the pace of major capital project planning and council oversight. The contract, expanding from $39,000 to $99,000, was originally approved in 2023 with the understanding that council would receive presentations about financing strategies for four major capital projects. Chair Donovan expressed frustration with the timeline, noting that the original contract was approved in 2023 and questioning why council hadn't received promised presentations. "I wouldn't think we'd have to wait this long to have a presentation about the work product from the first phase of the contract," he said. Deputy Executive Kayla Schott-Bresler explained that about half the contract had been spent on jail financing projections and negotiations with other jurisdictions regarding revenue sharing for the justice sales tax. She indicated that broader presentations about capital facility financing would come "in February" and that they were "a couple months away from being able to sort of put some information and decisions before the council in particular as it relates to the jail, the sheriff and the Northwest Annex Project." The discussion highlighted ongoing tensions between the executive and legislative branches over the pace and transparency of major project planning. Donovan emphasized council's oversight role, noting that members had received only a "three-page memo" from the sheriff's office about jail planning when more detailed analysis was needed. "I will not be voting on anything that's a three-page memo and I know that wasn't the intention but I hope with some of these big projects we're sharing the work that's being done so that we can analyze these things," Donovan said. Byrd reinforced the need for timely updates about sales tax revenue collection, which would be crucial for servicing debt on these capital facilities. The committee ultimately approved the contract extension 3-0, but with clear expectations for more comprehensive reporting going forward. ## Property Tax Levy Correction: Administrative Error Remedied The committee's final substantive item involved correcting an administrative error in the county's 2025 property tax levy certification. Finance Director Randy Rydel explained that his first year calculating the levy rates had resulted in the exclusion of $10.5 million for the Healthy Children's Fund due to complications with the new calculation form and issues around taking bank capacity on the general fund but not the children's fund. "This was admittedly my first year calculating these and it was also the first year of a new form for the calculation process," Rydel said, taking responsibility for the error. Deputy Executive Aly Pennucci clarified that while the December resolution was incorrect, the ordinance passed during the budget process accurately set the property tax revenue amount. "So there's a mismatch between the ordinance that was passed and what was certified so this is just shoring up what the balanced budget relies upon," she explained. The correction would increase the total levy from $38.5 million to $49.1 million, ensuring that the county's balanced budget assumptions were properly reflected in property tax collections. Committee members asked whether the error would affect revenue collection in the first half of January, but were assured it would not. ## Consent Agenda: Routine But Substantial County Business The committee's consent agenda encompassed 20 items totaling over $1.3 million in contracts and agreements, reflecting the diverse scope of county operations. Notable items included: An $83,781.64 interlocal agreement with Bellingham Fire Department for PFAS-free protective clothing, highlighting environmental health concerns in first responder equipment. Mental health services received significant attention with multiple contracts: $38,000 for NAMI Whatcom County programs, $12,000 for Lake Whatcom Residential & Treatment Center court coordination services, and $8,000 for Unity Care NW services. Environmental and conservation work featured prominently, with $87,940.98 for Lake Whatcom watershed stormwater outreach through Whatcom Conservation District, and $113,492.07 for Birch Bay watershed programs. The county's commitment to social services was evident in a $120,000 two-year agreement with Northwest Regional Council for Meals on Wheels administration. The committee also approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Sheriff's Office Corrections Senior Management Group, reflecting ongoing labor negotiations in public safety sectors. ## Closing and What's Ahead The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m. after efficiently dispatching all agenda items, with committee members expressing satisfaction with the productive session while maintaining their focus on oversight responsibilities. The unanimous votes on all items reflected the routine nature of most business, though the substantive discussions on water storage and gun programs indicated areas where more detailed policy conversations await. Chair Donovan's comments about council oversight responsibilities, particularly regarding major capital projects, suggested that future committee meetings would feature more extensive discussions about the county's long-term financial commitments and project planning processes. The committee scheduled their next meeting for the standard time, continuing their work as one of the county's primary venues for financial oversight and policy development. The meeting exemplified the careful balance county officials must strike between addressing immediate operational needs—from mental health services to infrastructure maintenance—while planning for major long-term investments in facilities and environmental protection. With multiple million-dollar decisions looming and ongoing questions about transparency and oversight, the Finance and Administrative Services Committee's work will remain central to Whatcom County's governance in the months ahead.