Whatcom County Council

The Whatcom County Council held a critical special meeting to finalize the 2026 budget through a series of public hearings and votes on tax levies and budget amendments. The meeting resulted in the adoption of most proposed tax increases, including controversial 1% levy increases for county roads, EMS services, conservation futures, and the general fund, along with approval of a $20.97 million budget amendment. The most significant development was the council's decision to approve "bank capacity" increases — taking the full 1% allowed under state law — for most county functions despite strong public opposition to tax increases. The EMS levy increase was particularly contentious, raising the rate from what voters previously approved to the maximum allowed, representing what Council Member Ben Elenbaas called a "19% increase" that is "slightly sensationalized" but actually reflects a 1% increase over the voter-approved rate. The flood control zone district provided the only surprise of the day when the 1% levy increase failed 3-3, forcing the council to approve the alternate 0% increase option. This represented a rare instance where the council rejected a staff-recommended tax increase, with Deputy Executive Aly Pennucci warning that continued rejection of 1% increases makes it "ever harder to deliver on projects" and maintain adequate fund balances. Public testimony was dominated by EMS supporters, including Fire Chief Ben Boyko of Fire District 7 who described life-saving equipment purchases enabled by previous levy funding, and citizen representative Jim Hallett who praised the county's "world class EMS system." However, several speakers including Lyle Sorenson and Hannah Ortiz challenged the council's spending patterns, with Sorenson criticizing the council for never rejecting budget amendments and calling taxpayers "not a bottomless reservoir." The council's internal tensions were clearly visible, with Elenbaas delivering sharp criticism of his colleagues' consistent approval of spending requests while acknowledging his own isolation in typically voting no. Council Member Mark Stremler emphasized the need for the council to "find budget cuts" for the upcoming biennium, while Todd Donovan supported most items reluctantly, noting that the council added approximately $1 million to the executive's proposed budget. The meeting concluded with County Executive Satpal Sidhu challenging the council to provide more specific direction on what services to cut rather than simply calling for reduced spending, noting that 70% of the county budget consists of personnel costs. The approved budget sets up difficult decisions ahead, as multiple council members acknowledged that even steeper cuts will be necessary in the next budget cycle.