Whatcom County Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee

The Whatcom County Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee advanced 19 items worth approximately $7.8 million in new spending and contract amendments, while engaging in significant debate over a proposed criminal justice sales tax that could generate $7 million annually. The meeting was dominated by two major themes: ongoing implementation of the Healthy Children's Fund through various contract renewals, and discussion of a controversial sales tax proposal that would help the county address rising costs in criminal justice operations. Committee Chair Jon Scanlon used the meeting to introduce alternative approaches to the criminal justice tax proposal, presenting both an alternate ordinance and a companion resolution that would specify how the first two years of tax revenue should be spent. Scanlon's proposals would direct the estimated $7 million annually toward jail health and food services contracts, sheriff's office lease payments, and cost-of-living adjustments for criminal justice staff to maintain current service levels. The committee recommended most items unanimously, but two items saw dissenting votes from Council Members Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler. The first was AB2026-220, a $100,817 grant from Puget Sound Partnership for developing a stormwater business inspection program, where Elenbaas raised concerns about federal oversight and regulatory requirements. The second was AB2026-204, a supplemental budget request for $741,113, where both members voted against the spending increase. The meeting also featured the release of the Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial Report, showing the general fund ending with a balance of $33.8 million, up from projections due to timing of federal grant recognition and opioid settlement funds. Finance Director Randy Rydell noted that despite the higher fund balance, the structural budget challenges remain significant heading into the 2027-2028 biennium. Multiple Healthy Children's Fund contract renewals totalin