HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2025-026• Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2025-355
File ID: AB2025-355 Version: 1 Status: Adopted
File Created: 05/01/2025 Entered by: LCumming@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Public Works File Type: Ordinance
Department
Assigned to: Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee Final Action: 05/27/2025
Agenda Date: 05/27/2025 Enactment #: ORD 2025-026
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: sdraper@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Ordinance authorizing interfund loans to finance cash flow for county road fund up to $4 million 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:
05/13/2025 Council
SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED
Council Finance and
Administrative Services
Committee
Aye:
7
Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay:
0
05/27/2025 Council Finance and Administrative
RECOMMENDED FOR
Services Committee
ADOPTION
Aye:
3
Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay:
0
05/27/2025 Council ADOPTED
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Whatcom County Page t Printed on 5/28/2025
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2025-355)
Attachments: Proposed Ordinance, Substitute Ordinance for 5.13.2025, Notice of Action Proposed on 5.13.2025
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 512812025
1 PROPOSED BY: Public Works
2 INTRODUCTION DATE:
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5 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-026
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7 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING INTERFUND LOANS TO FINANCE CASH FLOW FOR
8 COUNTY ROAD FUND
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11 WHEREAS, the Road Fund executes numerous capital projects annually through the
12 Annual Construction Program; and
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16 WHEREAS, not all capital projects meet the multi -year requirement to be in a
17 capital project fund per County policy project accounting requirements; and
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21 WHEREAS, most capital work performed is executed between the summer months
22 of May and September, which results in large cash outflows from the Road Fund; and
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26 WHEREAS, property taxes make up roughly 80% annually of revenue for the Road
27 Fund; and
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31 WHEREAS, property taxes are collected from the taxpayers twice a year, with the
32 first half on April 30111 and the second half on October 31st; and
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36 WHEREAS, the national annual average of the Consumer Price Index was 232.957
37 in 2013 and 313.056 in 2024, reflecting a 34.38% rise inflation over the past
38 decade, and
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42 WHEREAS, costs associated with capital projects have risen significantly, resulting
43 in progress payments in excess of $1,000,000 per project; and
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47 WHEREAS, given the processing time required to receive grant fund
48 reimbursements, large project payments to Contractors can be significantly delayed
49 without a sufficient cash balance; and
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WHEREAS, per RCW 36.82.070- the Road Fund is designated for the construction,
alteration, repair, improvement, or maintenance of county roads and bridges; and
WHEREAS, the Road Fund requires sufficient cash flow to support the ongoing
operations of the non -capital services provided to the County, and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County has access to various funding sources, including the
Economic Development Investment Program, Real Estate Excise Tax, and General
Fund, each with specific eligibility criteria, that can support certain Road Fund
operations and capital projects, contingent upon the allowable uses of those funds;,
and
WHEREAS, the County Treasurer and County Finance Director hold the fiduciary
responsibility for all County funds and have intimate knowledge of their health and
allowable uses per Federal, State, and County law, and
WHEREAS, action must be taken to ensure the Road Fund has the cash flow
capacity necessary to support the ongoing operations of the non -capital services
provided to the County, 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 any
eligible County Funds to the County Road Fund for cash flow purposes. The loans
shall not exceed $4,000,000 per project and shall not be for a term exceeding two
years. No interest shall be charged on the loans.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Director of Administrative Services shall
notify the Council of the fund they recommend to the Treasurer for executing the
loan, and shall also notify the Council if the Treasurer's decision deviates from that
recommendation.
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Y , 2025.
Approved via email / Chris Quinn 5.28.2025-LB
Christopher Quinn, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
K ylee alloway, Council Chat
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHA COUNTY, WA �N�GTON
Satpal Sidhu, I
unty Executive
Approved ( ) Denied
Date Signed: !G • 3• 2�