### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council Public Works & Health Committee met on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, to review and recommend approval of a resolution related to the 2025 Whatcom County Coordinated Water System Plan update. The committee ultimately recommended approval of a substitute resolution with amendments that clarify how water service areas should be considered in urban growth area expansion decisions. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Coordinated Water System Plan:** A comprehensive planning document that coordinates water service among multiple water utilities in Whatcom County. This plan requires state approval and is updated periodically to ensure adequate water service for current and future development. **Urban Growth Area (UGA):** Geographic areas designated under Washington's Growth Management Act where urban development is intended to be concentrated over a 20-year period. These areas are meant to promote compact development while protecting rural areas. **Growth Management Act (GMA):** Washington state law that requires certain counties and cities to plan for orderly growth, protect natural resources, and ensure efficient use of public infrastructure including water systems. **Water Service Area:** Geographic areas where a municipality or water district provides water service. These boundaries may extend beyond urban growth areas in some cases. **Water Utility Coordinating Committee:** A committee that reviews public comments and changes to the Coordinated Water System Plan before it goes to the County Council for approval. **State Department of Health:** The state agency that must approve the Coordinated Water System Plan after County Council adoption. They have 90 days for their review process. **AB 2025-640:** The agenda bill number for the resolution relating to the water system plan update. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Jon Scanlon | Committee Chair | | Ben Elenbaas | Committee Member | | Mark Stremler | Committee Member | | Todd Donovan | Council Member (also present) | | Kaylee Galloway | Council Member (also present) | | Sue Sullivan | Environmental Health Manager, Health and Community Services | | Aly Pennucci | Deputy Executive | ### Background Context This meeting represents the final local government step before the Coordinated Water System Plan goes to the state for approval. The plan has been in development for about 18 months and incorporates public comments, climate considerations, and data updates. The resolution also addresses how water service areas should be considered when making future urban growth area expansion decisions—a critical issue as the county updates its comprehensive plan under the Growth Management Act. The discussion revealed ongoing coordination challenges between water system planning and land use planning, particularly around how existing water infrastructure should influence future development patterns while still following Growth Management Act requirements for orderly, compact development. ### What Happened — The Short Version Sue Sullivan briefed the committee that this was the final step before sending the water plan to the state, noting that public comments had been incorporated and the Water Utility Coordinating Committee had completed their review. Council Member Elenbaas raised concerns about language that would completely prohibit using water service areas as justification for urban growth area expansion, preferring language that says they can't be the "sole" justification. Council Member Galloway presented a substitute resolution with additional "whereas" clauses that better align the resolution with Growth Management Act principles and modify the restrictive language about water service considerations. After discussion about balancing infrastructure considerations with comprehensive planning requirements, the committee voted 3-0 to recommend approval of Galloway's substitute resolution to the full Council. ### What to Watch Next - Full County Council consideration of the substitute resolution at their evening meeting - State Department of Health review and approval process (90 days) - Ongoing comprehensive plan discussions that will need to coordinate water system capacity with urban growth area designations - Future discussions about how water infrastructure should factor into land use planning decisions ---