### Meeting Overview Whatcom County Council's Committee of the Whole met on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, to hear a presentation from the Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) and deliberate on two key items: supplemental budget requests for the council office and updates to the transportation chapter of the county's comprehensive plan. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Supplemental Budget Request (SBR):** Mid-biennium budget adjustments that departments submit to modify their approved two-year budget allocations. **Level of Service (LOS):** A measurement system for transportation infrastructure that rates quality and efficiency, particularly for roads during peak traffic hours. **Active Transportation:** Non-motorized transportation including walking, biking, and other human-powered mobility options. **Committee of the Whole:** A meeting format where all council members participate to discuss items before formal council action. **Incarceration Prevention & Reduction Task Force (IPRTF):** County advisory body focused on reducing jail population through alternative programs and policies. **Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP):** Committee overseeing the county's jail construction and justice system improvements. **Level of Traffic Stress (LTS):** A rating system for bicycle infrastructure based on comfort and safety for users of different skill levels. **Growth Management Act (GMA):** Washington state law requiring comprehensive planning for development and transportation in growing counties. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Les Reardanz | Whatcom Transportation Authority representative | | Maureen McCarthy | WTA Director of Government Community Relations | | Chris Comeau | TranspoGroup consultant | | Cathy Halka | Clerk of the Council | | Kayla Schott-Bresler | Deputy Executive | | Kimberly Thulin | Council Attorney, Prosecuting Attorney's Office | ### Background Context This meeting occurred during the county's mid-biennium budget review process, requiring departments to justify supplemental budget requests by August 18th. The council office faced pressure to demonstrate fiscal responsibility while maintaining essential services, particularly around justice system oversight and accessibility compliance. The comprehensive plan transportation update represented a major policy shift required by recent changes to the Growth Management Act, forcing the county to adopt new standards for pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure alongside traditional vehicle-focused planning. ### What Happened — The Short Version WTA presented their "beyond the bus" philosophy, highlighting innovative partnerships like workforce housing in Lynden and the planned downtown Bellingham station relocation. The agency revealed a significant budget shortfall with expenses exceeding revenue by $8 million in 2025. Council approved most supplemental budget requests, including $50,000 for ADA compliance, $39,900 for justice project facilitation, and $15,000 for courthouse security, while cutting the internship program budget in half and reducing advertising funds for incarceration prevention efforts. The transportation plan discussion introduced new requirements for multimodal level of service standards, with TranspoGroup consultant Chris Comeau explaining how the county must balance ambitious active transportation goals with financial reality. ### What to Watch Next - Final supplemental budget requests due August 18th to finance department - Transportation element certification by Whatcom Council of Governments - Comprehensive plan adoption process in fall 2025 - Upcoming discussions on council legal representation options - WTA's revenue challenges and potential service impacts ---