HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2025-014Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225 4038
(360) 778-5010
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2025-196
File ID: AB2025-196 Version: 1 Status: Adopted
File Created: 02/27/2025 Entered by: LCumming@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Public Works File Type: Ordinance
Department
Assigned to: Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee Final Action: 03/25/2025
Agenda Date: 03/25/2025 Enactment #: ORD 2025-014
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: sdraper(ei),co.whatconi.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Ordinance temporarily amending the funding limit of cash flow loans from the Road Fund to North Lake
Sarnish Bridge No. 107 Replacement Fund -3905 from $2,000,000 up to $6,656,262.32 for a term
not to exceed two years
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See memo
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
Action:
Sent To:
03/11/2025 Council
INTRODUCED Council Finance and
Administrative Services
Committee
Aye:
5
Byrd, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay:
0
Abstain:
2
Buchanan, and Donovan
03/25/2025 Council Finance and Administrative
RECOMMENDED FOR
Services Committee
ADOPTION
Aye:
3
Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay:
0
03/25/2025 Council
ADOPTED
Aye:
6
Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Scanlon, and Stremler
Whatcoin county Page 1 Printed on 312612025
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2025-196)
Nay: 0
Abstain: 1 Galloway
Attachments: Staff Memo, Proposed Ordinance, Notice of Action Proposed on 3.11.2025.pdf
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 3/26/2025
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PROPOSED BY: Public Works
INTRODUCTION DATE: 3/11/2025
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-014
ORDINANCE TEMPORARILY AMENDING THE FUNDING LIMIT OF CASH FLOW
LOANS FROM THE ROAD FUND TO NORTH LAKE SAMISH BRIDGE NO. 107
REPLACEMENT FUND-3905
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2013-022 was passed in order to provide inter -fund loans up
to $1,000,000 to Capital Project Funds from the Road Fund; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2024-022 was passed in order to increase the limit from
$1,000,000 to $2,000,000 per Capital Project Fund; and
WHEREAS, on January 20, 2025, the Federal Government issued an Executive Order
titled "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review" which implemented a 60-day pause on
federal funding and financial assistance; and
WHEREAS, on January 21, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget issued
memorandum "M-25-11" which clarifies that there will be an immediate pause on
disbursement of funds appropriated under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public
Law 117-169) or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58);
and
WHEREAS, the North Lake Samish Bridge No. 107 Replacement Fund-3905 has
received $10,972,210 of federal funding through the Department of Transportation's
Highway Planning and Construction grant (grant #LA-10509/BRS-37VV(001)); and
WHEREAS, the County has demolished and removed the old bridge and is in the
process of constructing the new bridge, which is set to be completed in August of
2025; and
WHEREAS, the County has $1,400,273.27 of outstanding grant invoices due from
the Department of Transportation and $3,505,989.05 in unexpended grant balance;
and
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WHEREAS, the Road Fund has already contributed a $1,500,000 cash flow loan to
allow for project continuation while grant invoices are processed by the Department
of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, the construction of the North Lake Samish Bridge No. 107 replacement
cannot be delayed and must be completed by August of 2025; and
WHEREAS, the County has determined it is vital to ensure there is adequate cash
flow to complete the project and pay all contractors on a timely basis, regardless of
the status of grant reimbursements from the Federal Government; and
WHEREAS, project -committed grant funds in the amount of $4,906,262.32 are
currently at risk of not being distributed to the County as a result of federal
executive funding directives; and
WHEREAS, failure to sufficiently fund the project and complete bridge construction
in a timely fashion will result in significant cost increases and other damage to
Whatcom County tax payers; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to provide for alternative and supplementay means of
funding the North Lake Samish Bridge No. 107 Replacement Fund-3905 in order to
ensure project completion, which is in the public interest; and
WHEREAS, the County has determined that increasing the current Road Fund loan
limit from $2,000,000 to $6,656,262.32 is the most efficient and cost effective
means to ensure sufficient cash flow to the North Lake Samish Bridge No. 107
Replacement Fund-3905 and completion of the project; and
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that the
Whatcom County Treasurer is hereby authorized to make inter -fund loans from the
County Road Fund to the North Lake Samish Bridge No. 107 Replacement Fund-3905
for cash flow purposes. The authrorized loans shall not exceed a total of
$6,656,262.32 and shall not be for a term exceeding two years. No interest shall be
charged on the loans.
N �°® ,
AD,,:: t"s 25th,day of March
r,
ATTEST:
.')
Ca "hy Halka,",Clerk,o. oth(j_"6 ' ricil
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
approved via email by Christopher Quinn/LB
Christopher Quinn,
Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
, 2025.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Kaylee loway, Council Chair
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