### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole met on October 21, 2025, for a comprehensive session focused primarily on the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update and the 2026 county budget. The meeting ran from 1:01 p.m. to 4:28 p.m. and included significant decisions on Urban Growth Area (UGA) boundaries for several cities and preliminary discussions on budget amendments totaling over $20 million. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Urban Growth Area (UGA):** Designated boundaries around cities where urban development is allowed and encouraged under Washington's Growth Management Act. Cities must show they can accommodate projected population growth within these areas. **Comprehensive Plan Update:** A required periodic review and update of the county's long-range planning document that guides land use, transportation, utilities, and other development policies. Whatcom County is currently conducting its 2025 update. **Committee of the Whole:** A meeting format where all seven county council members participate as a committee to discuss items before they go to the full council for formal action. Allows for more informal discussion and preliminary guidance. **Mid-Biennium Budget Adjustment:** A budget modification in the middle of the two-year budget cycle to address changing revenue and expenditure needs. The current proposal involves $20,970,606 in adjustments. **Banked Levy Capacity:** The unused portion of a taxing district's authorized levy rate that can be used in future years. Several levy discussions involved using previously banked capacity. **Planning Commission:** A citizen advisory board that reviews and makes recommendations on planning and zoning matters to the county council. **Environmental Impact Statement (EIS):** A detailed analysis of the potential environmental effects of proposed comprehensive plan changes, required under state environmental laws. **Flood Control Zone District:** A special purpose district that levies taxes to fund flood control projects and maintenance throughout Whatcom County. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kaylee Galloway | Council Chair / Committee Chair | | Todd Donovan | Council Member | | Tyler Byrd | Council Member | | Barry Buchanan | Council Member | | Ben Elenbaas | Council Member | | Jon Scanlon | Council Member | | Mark Stremler | Council Member | | Lucas Clark | Planning and Development Services | | Matt Aamot | Planning and Development Services | | Aly Pennucci | County Executive's Office | | Elizabeth Kosa | Public Works Department Director | | Gary Stoyka | Public Works Department | | Chris Behee | City of Bellingham | | Michael Cerbone | City of Ferndale | ### Background Context This meeting occurred during a critical phase of Whatcom County's mandatory comprehensive plan update, which happens every eight years under state law. The Growth Management Act requires counties to plan for projected population growth while protecting agricultural lands and natural resources. Urban Growth Areas are a key tool in this process, defining where cities can grow and where rural areas should be preserved. The budget discussions reflected ongoing fiscal challenges facing the county. The proposed $20.9 million budget adjustment includes both new revenues and expenditure adjustments, with particular attention to maintaining essential services while managing growing costs. The various levy discussions represent the county's primary funding mechanisms for specialized services like flood control, emergency medical services, and conservation. The meeting's timing was significant as cities had been working on their UGA proposals for months, and council needed to provide guidance before the final Environmental Impact Statement could be completed. The budget items required timely action to ensure continuous funding for county operations. ### What Happened — The Short Version The council made several significant preliminary decisions on city Urban Growth Area boundaries. They rejected Blaine's proposed expansion into Birch Point, approved Bellingham's UGA proposal, retained Ferndale's current boundaries, and approved Lynden's minimal changes. They also removed three controversial water policies from the utilities chapter of the comprehensive plan that dealt with moving water from the Nooksack River mouth upstream. On budget matters, the council discussed but took no action on the proposed $20.9 million mid-biennium budget adjustment. They reviewed multiple tax levy ordinances that would implement modest increases (typically 1%) for various county services, including flood control, emergency medical services, and general county operations. The budget discussions revealed ongoing concerns about maintaining service levels while managing fiscal constraints. One agenda item regarding the 2026 state legislative session was withdrawn and will return November 5th. Time constraints prevented discussion of proposed comprehensive plan amendments. ### What to Watch Next • **November 5th meeting:** Public hearing on the budget amendment and levy ordinances, plus the rescheduled legislative session discussion • **Blaine's resubmission:** The city withdrew its UGA proposal pending a November 4th election on de-annexation and will resubmit afterward • **Budget timeline decision:** Council must choose between quick action after the November 5th hearing or a longer process extending to December 2nd with potential amendments on November 18th ---