### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council held a Special Committee of the Whole meeting on October 28, 2025, focusing primarily on mid-biennium budget adjustments totaling over $20 million. The session was dominated by discussions about potential funding for food banks amid federal SNAP benefit cuts and procedural corrections needed for previous comprehensive plan actions. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Mid-biennium adjustment:** A formal process to modify the county's two-year budget partway through the budget cycle to address changing financial conditions or priorities. **Community Priorities Fund:** A county fund that can be used for general government expenditures, originally created using federal ARPA dollars for specific community priorities. **Capital Reserve Fund:** A fund proposed to be established with $3.5 million to provide cash on hand for facility needs and allow the county to act swiftly on capital projects. **SNAP benefits:** Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provides food assistance; cuts to this program create increased demand on local food banks. **Urban Growth Area (UGA):** Designated areas where urban development is encouraged under the state Growth Management Act; requires formal county approval processes. **REAP funding:** Real Estate Acquisition and Projects fund used for capital improvements and facility needs. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kaylee Galloway | Council Chair | | Jon Scanlon | Council Vice Chair (running meeting remotely) | | Todd Donovan | Council Member | | Tyler Byrd | Council Member | | Ben Elenbaas | Council Member | | Barry Buchanan | Council Member | | Mark Stremler | Council Member | | Aly Panucci | Deputy Executive | | Kayla Schott-Bresler | Deputy Executive | | Kimberly Thulin | Prosecuting Attorney (legal counsel) | | Cathy Halka | Clerk of the Council | ### Background Context This meeting occurred amid a federal government shutdown that eliminated SNAP benefits starting November 1st, creating an urgent crisis for local food banks already serving about half of county households. The county had previously allocated $750,000 for food bank support in 2026, far short of the $2 million requested. Additionally, the county faces ongoing facility needs including space for the Sheriff's Office, which requires a proposed lease with a former council member. The council is working to balance immediate community needs against long-term fiscal sustainability while avoiding the deferred maintenance problems that plagued previous administrations. ### What Happened — The Short Version Deputy Executive Panucci presented follow-up information on budget adjustments, including a detailed breakdown of vacant county positions. Council members engaged in extensive discussion about reallocating funds from the Community Priorities Fund to support food banks facing increased demand due to federal SNAP cuts. Several council members expressed interest in finding one-time funding for food banks, exploring options including the Community Priorities Fund, Healthy Children's Fund, and general reserves. The discussion revealed tensions between immediate community needs and long-term capital planning. The meeting also addressed procedural corrections needed for previous UGA approval motions, but these were postponed to the next meeting due to special meeting limitations. ### What to Watch Next - November 5th Committee of the Whole meeting will include continued budget discussions and proper procedural corrections for UGA motions - Amendment process for budget changes, with deadline before November 18th meeting - Final budget action scheduled for December 2nd after public hearing - Implementation plan for Healthy Children's Fund coming November 5th - Potential lease approval for Sheriff's Office space ---