Whatcom County Council

Whatcom County Council convened an emergency special meeting to authorize the use of up to $750,000 from the Healthy Children's Fund to provide flood relief assistance to families with vulnerable children affected by the December 2025 storms. The resolution, sponsored by Council Members Mark Stremler and Barry Buchanan, passed unanimously 7-0 after amendments addressing legal requirements for potential reimbursement. The meeting was driven by urgent need following devastating floods in Everson, Sumas, and Nooksack that displaced numerous families. Council Member Stremler recounted his personal experience volunteering in flood cleanup, describing the emotional impact of watching young children carry their destroyed Christmas tree to debris piles outside their flooded home. With federal and state disaster relief uncertain, council members felt compelled to act immediately using local resources. The resolution expresses Council's intent to support flood recovery but does not directly authorize expenditure — that authority remains with the County Executive under emergency declaration procedures. Human Services staff reported connecting with 575 people seeking flood assistance, including 37 families with children ages 0-5 who would qualify under the Healthy Children's Fund parameters. Legal counsel clarified that while the fund generates over $1.5 million annually in interest, any expenditures must comply with the fund's legal restrictions focusing on vulnerable children zero to five years old. Two amendments passed 6-1 to ensure proper handling of potential state or federal reimbursement if disaster relief funding materializes later. The North Sound Accountable Community of Health and Community Foundation are currently funding temporary housing with their own resources, hoping for eventual reimbursement but prepared to absorb costs if federal relief doesn't arrive. Council members emphasized urgency, noting that families need help now rather than waiting months or years for federal disaster declarations.