### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee met on April 15, 2025, with Chair Todd Donovan and committee members Tyler Byrd and Barry Buchanan. The meeting focused on early childhood education funding contracts, Rural Sales Tax (EDI) fund allocation policies, and various budget amendments totaling over $6 million. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Consent Agenda:** A group of routine items voted on together without individual discussion unless a member requests separate consideration. **EDI Fund (Rural Sales Tax Fund):** State-authorized funding stream for economic development infrastructure and housing projects, with specific allocation percentages for different purposes. **Innovation Fund:** Part of the Healthy Children's Fund used to pilot new approaches to kindergarten readiness services. **Kindergarten Readiness:** Programs designed to prepare children ages 2-5 for successful entry into the K-12 education system. **Project-Based Budget:** A specific budget allocation for a defined project with a beginning, middle, and end, rather than ongoing operational expenses. **FEMA Reimbursement:** Federal Emergency Management Agency funding to reimburse local governments for disaster-related expenses. **Operation Stonegarden:** Federal homeland security program providing funding for enhanced border security operations. **REET (Real Estate Excise Tax):** Local tax on property sales that can be used for specific capital projects. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Todd Donovan | Committee Chair | | Tyler Byrd | Committee Member | | Barry Buchanan | Committee Member | | Sarah Simpson | Health & Community Services, Child & Family Program Supervisor | | Charlene Ramont | Health & Community Services Interim Director | | Jill Boudreau | Executive's Office | | Satpal Sidhu | County Executive | | Randy Rydel | Administrative Services Finance Director | ### Background Context The county is implementing a major early childhood education initiative funded by the voter-approved Healthy Children's Fund. These pilot contracts with Sendan Center and Whatcom Family YMCA represent the first phase of testing different approaches to providing behavioral health, speech therapy, and occupational therapy services directly at childcare centers. The goal is to improve kindergarten readiness while reducing staff turnover at childcare facilities. Separately, the council is working to establish clearer policies for the Rural Sales Tax (EDI) fund, which generates about $7 million annually. This fund can support economic development infrastructure and, recently, affordable housing projects. The discussion centers on setting percentage targets for different types of investments rather than funding projects on a first-come, first-served basis. ### What Happened — The Short Version The committee approved 14 consent agenda items totaling hundreds of thousands in various contracts and agreements. The main discussion focused on two kindergarten readiness contracts worth $750,850 total, with Council Member Byrd pushing for clearer success metrics and goals rather than just service deliverables. The committee also discussed establishing annual allocation targets for the EDI fund, including possibly reducing the reserve percentage and setting aside specific amounts for housing versus infrastructure projects. Several budget amendments were reviewed, including $4.2 million already committed to childcare facility construction and a $350,000 armored vehicle replacement for the Sheriff's Office. ### What to Watch Next • The EDI Board meets May 8, 2025, to review the new allocation structure and begin the application process • Council will receive Q4 2024 budget reports at the next meeting after delays with the new financial management system • The kindergarten readiness pilot contracts will be evaluated quarterly with a Western Washington University professor • Full Council consideration of the $6.2 million budget amendment package ---