Whatcom County Council Public Works & Health Committee

The Whatcom County Council Public Works & Health Committee received the first external performance audit and evaluation of the Healthy Children's Fund, conducted by SEVA Workshop. The presentation revealed significant findings about the fund's performance since its inception, particularly concerning the substantial unspent balance of taxpayer money. Of the $26 million collected through the voter-approved levy, only 31% has been encumbered (contracted) and just 11% has been dispersed (actually paid out) as of July 2025. This leaves approximately $18 million unspent, a figure that Council Member Todd Donovan described as "pretty stunning to people when they hear that." The evaluation found that spending has been consistently lower than planned across both administrative and programmatic categories. Despite the slow spending pace, SEVA Workshop Principal Vivian Savath reported that the fund is beginning to deliver results, with over 41,000 clients served, eight new infant childcare slots created, and an innovative flexible drop-in program providing 192 slot days monthly. However, the evaluation revealed that awareness of the fund's services remains low in the community, and providers have experienced frustration with unclear guidance and lengthy contracting timelines. The evaluation provided five key recommendation areas: longer-term strategic planning, improved interdepartmental processes, policy clarification, enhanced communications strategy, and increased administrative capacity. SEVA Workshop found that the fund has operated at about 25% of its allowed administrative capacity, suggesting that fuller staffing could accelerate program implementation. Health and Community Services Director Sarah Simpson defended the cautious approach, explaining that nearly $14 million in new contracts are in the pipeline through recent RFPs for capital projects ($5.5 million) and childcare subsidies ($9.4 million). The committee plans to reconvene in January to discuss the department's response to the evaluation's recommendations once the final report is released December 31st.