📋 Committee Meeting
Whatcom County Council Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee
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Meeting Summary
The Whatcom County Council's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee met to receive updates on two critical justice system components: district court probation services and Justice Project finances. The meeting revealed growing pressures on both fronts, with probation caseloads increasing 7% in 2025 and construction cost inflation threatening the viability of the proposed jail and behavioral health facility at current funding levels.
District Court Administrator Jake Wiebusch presented an annual update on probation services, which monitor approximately 2,100 individuals at any given time through contracts with multiple municipal courts. The department has seen consistent growth post-COVID, with increasingly complex cases requiring specialized programming the county has developed in-house to fill gaps in community services.
The primary focus was Justice Project finances, with Executive staff presenting three funding scenarios ranging from $165 million to $224 million for capital construction, depending on debt levels and city contribution extensions. Current economic conditions have significantly undercut original assumptions, with sales tax growth dropping from projected 4-5% annually to just 1% in recent years, while construction costs have soared due to inflation.
Lynden Mayor Scott Korthuis addressed the committee on behalf of all cities, indicating potential willingness to extend financial contributions beyond the current six-year commitment, but with specific conditions including adequate jail capacity to avoid booking restrictions and efficient facility design to minimize operational costs. The cities are preparing a formal letter outlining their position.
The committee faced the stark reality that original Justice Project assumptions about both revenue growth and construction costs were "pretty far off," creating pressure for difficult decisions about facility scope, debt levels, and service funding. Council members expressed varying priorities, with some emphasizing the need for adequate jail capacity and others prioritizing behavioral health services and community-based interventions.
With a budget decision deadline of late April to keep the project on schedule, the committee requested additional analyses including refined jail capacity studies, behavioral health service projections, and operational cost modeling. The tension between building adequate jail capacity and funding community-based services emerged as the central challenge, complicated by limited funding mechanisms that heavily favor capital construction over ongoing service programs.
Study Guide
## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE
**Meeting ID:** WHA-CON-CJS-2026-03-10
### Meeting Overview
The Whatcom County Council's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee met on March 10, 2026, to receive an annual report from District Court Probation and discuss critical financial and policy decisions regarding the Justice Project—the county's planned new jail and behavioral health center that will cost between $165-224 million.
### Key Terms and Concepts
**Justice Project:** Whatcom County's plan to build a new jail and behavioral health center to replace aging facilities, funded by a public safety sales tax approved by voters.
**Interlocal Agreement (ILA):** A contract between Whatcom County and seven cities (Bellingham, Lynden, Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Sumas, and Sumas) that defines how much each jurisdiction contributes to the Justice Project and for how long.
**Booking Restrictions:** Policies that limit jail admissions when capacity is reached, often meaning law enforcement must release arrestees who would otherwise be held.
**Behavioral Health Center:** A planned treatment facility that would provide mental health and substance abuse services as an alternative to incarceration for some individuals.
**Deferred Prosecution:** A legal option allowing certain defendants to receive treatment instead of going to trial, typically used for DUI and domestic violence cases.
**District Court Probation:** County department that monitors about 2,100 individuals on pretrial release or post-conviction supervision, primarily for DUI and domestic violence cases.
**Work Center:** An existing county facility that could potentially be used as temporary jail capacity while planning the new facility.
**Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force (IPRTF):** A community group focused on reducing jail population through diversion programs and community-based services.
### Key People at This Meeting
| Name | Role / Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Barry Buchanan | Committee Chair |
| Elizabeth Boyle | Council Member |
| Ben Elenbaas | Council Member |
| Kaylee Galloway | Council Member |
| Jessica Rienstra | Council Member |
| Jon Scanlon | Council Member |
| Mark Stremler | Council Member |
| Jake Wiebusch | District Court Administrator |
| Jed Holmes | County Executive's Office |
| Kayla Schott-Bresler | County Executive's Office |
| Scott Korthuis | Mayor of Lynden, representing small cities |
### Background Context
Whatcom County voters approved a public safety sales tax to fund a new jail and behavioral health center, recognizing that the current jail is overcrowded and aging. The project was initially estimated at $155 million, but inflation and construction cost increases have pushed potential costs to $200+ million. This has created tension between building adequate jail capacity to avoid booking restrictions (a key demand from cities) and funding community-based behavioral health services that could reduce the need for incarceration.
The cities contribute 75% of their municipal sales tax revenue to the project for the first 4-6 years, and their continued cooperation is essential. However, economic conditions have made revenue projections less reliable, forcing difficult decisions about borrowing, facility size, and service priorities.
### What Happened — The Short Version
The committee received an annual update showing that District Court Probation is managing increasing caseloads (7% growth in 2025) with more complex cases, while providing innovative programs like domestic violence treatment groups and electronic monitoring. The department monitors about 2,100 people with 11 probation officers, slightly above national standards for caseload size.
The main discussion focused on Justice Project financing. Staff presented three funding scenarios ranging from $165-224 million for construction, depending on how much the county borrows and whether cities extend their contributions beyond the initial 4-6 year period. Mayor Korthuis indicated cities are willing to contribute for up to 10 years total, but want guarantees the jail will be large enough to avoid booking restrictions and efficient to operate.
Council members expressed different priorities—some emphasized jail capacity and accountability, others stressed behavioral health services and diversion programs. No decisions were made, but the Executive's Office said a budget decision is needed by end of April to keep the project on schedule.
### What to Watch Next
- Cities will send a formal letter outlining their conditions for extending financial contributions
- Multiple studies will be released by end of March: behavioral health analysis, refined jail capacity study, and updated construction scenarios
- Council must decide on a budget cap by end of April 2026
- Negotiations on a revised interlocal agreement between county and cities
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