HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Jun 24 2025Whatcom County
Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes - Final
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
8:30 AM
Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers
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COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final June 24, 2025
Services Committee
Call To Order
Roil Call
Committee Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in
a hybrid meeting.
Present: 3 - Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, and Barry Buchanan
Also Present: Ben Elenbaas, Kaylee Galloway, Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler
Announcements
Council "Consent Agenda" Items
Buchanan moved to recommend approval of Consent Agenda items one
through nineteen.
Stremler stated he had questions on Consent Agenda item numbers 8, 9, and
12 (AB2025-450, AB2025-454, and AB2025-463).
Donovan stated he had a question on Consent Agenda item number 14
(AB2025-465).
Elenbaas stated he had a question about Consent Agenda item number 11
(AB2025-462), but they did not get to that question.
Clerk's note: They discussed AB2025-462 in the evening meeting during
Consent.
Consent Agenda item numbers 8, 9. and 12 (AB2025-450. AB2025-454, and
AB2025-463)
Ann Beck, Health and Community Services, answered why program outputs
and outcomes and reporting requirements were added to these contracts and
if the Opportunity Council contracts have the same. She stated it was to
make sure they were aligning their outputs and outcomes with the quarterly
reports that provide updated information as requested by the Council last
year.
Ashley Geleynse, Health and Community Services, stated they will see this
in the Opportunity Council contracts as well.
The speakers discussed with councilmembers how the different contracted
organizations are doing with what they are attempting to do and how the
Health Department is conveying their successes, that a lot of the language
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in the contracts is tied to guidelines of the grant that is funding them,
whether the metrics the County uses to define the outcomes of its programs
are the same as those used by the national evidence -based practices, a
request to include the defined metrics as an addendum to individual
contracts as opposed to them only being in a quarterly report, whether there
is recent funding from the State that has not yet been allocated and that
there is some room for discussion on how to best allocate some of the
funds going forward, the timing of planning for and allocating funds and
setting community expectations for what flexibility they might have with
the funding, and that the data coming in from these renewed contracts will
feed into the quarterly reports.
Consent Agenda item number 14 (AB2025-465)
Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office, answered how it came about that
the vendor agreed to stay on until the end of the year. She stated they have
negotiated a new end date of December 31, 2025 with Northwest Regional
Council and spoke about why the vendor was willing to extend their
contract. She spoke about the County's search to replace them, and stated
the request for proposal is closing very soon.
Byrd stated he will request to consider Consent Agenda item numbers 1, 2,
16, and 18 separately in the evening meeting.
Consent Agenda item number 5 (AB2025447)
Byrd stated he learned that the "aquatic mammal," mentioned in this
interlocal as causing road damage, is a beaver.
Consent Agenda item number 10 (AB2025-461)
Byrd spoke about the previous related contracts in 2022, 2023, and 2024
and that it appeared that some were approved by the County Council but
some were not. The following people answered questions about those past
contracts:
• Christopher Quinn, Prosecuting Attorney's Office
• Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office
• Julie Anderson, Public Works Department
• Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office
Clerk's note: The Executive's Office stated they would like to do more
research and wrote later in an email that Contract # 202309004-1 for
$1,332,000 was an amendment to an original contract that did not change
the approved dollar amount for the contract, and Contract # 202501036
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falls under the rule in the code that sets the threshold for contracts that
require Council approval as exceeding $40,000.
Councilmembers voted on the Consent items (see votes on individual items
below).
1. AB2025-443 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to administer Whatcom County's
coordinated entry system through the Whatcom Homeless Service Center, in the
amount of $544,578
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
2. AB2025-444 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to authorize and distribute rental
assistance through the Whatcom Homeless Service Center, in the amount of
$7,274,164
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
3. AB2025-445 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Catholic Community Services to provide on -site supportive
services and housing at Francis Place, in the amount of $277,723
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
4. AB2025-446 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham to provide funding for the
Alternative Response Team Program, in the amount of $375,000
Buchanan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
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AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
5. AB2025-447 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Services - Wildlife Services for wildlife management services, in the
amount of $87,677.87
Buchanan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
6. AB2025-448 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between
Whatcom County and the Port of Bellingham for the acquisition of 58.81 acres
equipped with two 3,000 square foot buildings located at 6211 Northwest Avenue
for the purposes of establishing a Whatcom Agricultural Research Station, in the
amount of a $1,966,542 EDI grant and $933,271 EDI loan, for a total of $2,899,813
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
7. AB2025-449 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a two-year program
agreement between Whatcom County and the State of Washington Department of
Children, Youth & Families to provide detention services at the Whatcom County Jail
for Juvenile Rehabilitation youth eighteen years and older, in the amount of $26,000
per year
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
8. AB2025-450 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Lydia Place to provide rapid rehousing, case
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management, and coordinated entry access services, in the amount of $473,162, for a
total amended contract amount of $722,242
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
9. AB2025-454 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Lydia Place to provide permanent housing and
supportive services in the amount of $258,976, for a total amended contract amout of
$388,463
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
10. AB2025-461 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group to expand
local assistance to homeowners participating in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program,
in the amount of $80,000, for a total amended contract amount of $120,000 (Council
acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors)
Buchanan moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
II. AB2025-462 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a cost reimbursement
agreement amendment between Whatcom County and the Nooksack Indian Tribe to
compensate the Nooksack Indian Tribe for staff time to support the Floodplain
Integrated Planning process, in the amount of $64,000, for a total amended
agreement amount of $88,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control
Zone District Board of Supervisors)
Buchanan moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
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Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
12. AB2025-463 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Lydia Place to provide funding for the emergency
shelter program, in the amount of $436,352, for a total amended contract amount of
$680,728
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
13. AB2025-464 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and The Administrative Office of the Courts for
reimbursement of services related to the Uniform Guardianship Act, in the amount of
$67,740
Buchanan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
14. AB2025-465 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a six-month contract
amendment between Whatcom County and Northwest Regional Council for Jail
Nursing Services, in the amount of $1,354,508.50 for a total contract amount of
$11,009,534.17
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
15. AB2025-466 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between
Whatcom County and the Department of Children, Youth and Families for services
relating to evidence -based programming for juveniles under the supervision of Juvenile
Court
Buchanan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
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AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
16. AB2025-467 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to provide housing case
management services in the amount of $2,007,866, for a total amended contract
amount of $2,927,247
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
17. AB2025-468 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Social and
Health Services, Developmental Disabilities Administration to ensure a coordinated
system of local services for persons with disabilities, in the amount of $6,129,076
Buchanan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
18. AB2025-473 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to administer the Housing and Essential
Needs Program, in the amount of $3,409,883
Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
19. AB2025-474 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a lease agreement
between Whatcom County and Ferndale Youth Sports for maintenance and operation
of the baseball fields at the Northwest Sports Complex, in the amount of $1
Buchanan moved that the Agreement be RECOMMENDED FOR
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AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
Committee Discussion
1. AB2025-470 Discussion regarding out -of -jurisdiction response in Galbraith Recreational Easement
by South Whatcom Fire Authority
The following people discussed the item with Councilmembers:
• Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office
• Mitch Nolze, Fire Chief for South Whatcom Fire Authority
• Steve Harris, Undersheriff
Schott Bresler briefed the councilmembers and stated the Administration
would like to get direction from the Council on whether they should bring
forward a budget supplemental for an interlocal agreement with the City of
Bellingham (see memo on file). She spoke about the easement and that
there was a plan adopted by the City and an assumption that the fire
authority would provide response, but no formal agreement or discussion
about compensation.
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed that the County's portion
would likely come from the General Fund or EMS Fund, whether there are
other alternative fund or revenue sources, how they came up with the
agreement amount, how many calls the fire authority responded to previous
to the parking lot at Galbraith and how many they respond to now, whether
the County should start kicking in a third of the cost after it reaches
$147,000, a memo created by staff that looks at how other areas similar to
ours fund search and rescue, whether other areas where there are holes in
the fire district map are being addressed separately from this agreement
around Galbraith and that Galbraith is the anomaly because of the high
volume of calls, that the other areas still have significant cost and South
Whatcom Fire Authority intends to re-engage in that conversation with the
Executive's Office, wanting to proceed with the two-year agreement on one
hand while needing to address the larger issue of other small fire districts
that are helping out in other locations, that Search and Rescue volunteers
are not licensed to do any type of basic or advanced life support, that the
entire east side of Galbraith Mountain is in the County park system, seeing
this as a worthy investment since this recreation brings business to the
county and helps the County recoup some of the dollars while also thinking
about other ways to help fund it, that the Executive can bring the interlocal
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forward and they can continue the discussion when that comes, and that they
can also proactively start discussing other alternative funding sources.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Special Presentation
1. AB2025-371 Report from the Human Resources Division of the Administrative Services
Department
Melissa Keeley, Administrative Services Department Human Resources,
read from a presentation (on file) on HR staff changes, workforce data, and
HR technology tools. She answered whether there are incentive for
employees to use the Learn modules of the NEOGOV software, and stated
professional development and certifications are incentives.
This agenda item was REPORTED.
2. AB2025-477 Presentation on the Behavioral Health Fund and proposed action steps
The following people presented and answered questions:
• Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office
• Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office
• Ann Beck, Health and Community Services
Schott-Bresler read from a presentation (on file) on an overview of the
Behavioral Health Fund, the factors (three-year contracts with the schools
to provide support for youth with mental health programming, increased
labor and other costs, and one time transfers to other projects) that have led
to the structural imbalance of the fund, and short-term recommendations
that they are pursuing, including eliminating vacant positions supported by
the fund, negotiating reductions with the school districts, and using up to $1
million from the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Fund.
Schott-Bresler and Pennucci discussed with councilmembers that they are
able use the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Fund for the
school contracts because even though it is one fund, it has two property tax
revenue sources, and they would just be using the mental health millage
portion.
Byrd stated he does not like the idea of spreading this out to other funds
because the Council does not have visibility of what is actually happening in
those other funds.
Schott-Bresler continued the presentation and stated they are proposing two
budget supplementals. The first is for $1.5 million in the Behavioral Health
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Fund which is up for consideration today. The second is for $1 million in
the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Fund which would come
on July 8. Then they are asking the department to try to absorb or negotiate
around half a million dollars of these expenses. She described how the
budget supplementals would affect each of the respective funds and then
spoke about long-term actions they are working on and next steps.
The speakers discussed with councilmembers the positions that were added
to the fund in 2023, that they will need to get advice from the Behavioral
Health Advisory Committee on what the County might not invest in if they
continue to invest in youth, and whether the fund can tolerate the proposal.
This agenda item was PRESENTED.
Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
AB2025-451 Ordinance amending the 2025 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 7, in the amount
of $1,500,000
Buchanan moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR
ADOPTION.
Byrd stated this is just a patch.
Ann Beck, Health and Community Services, stated the expansion contracts
end in June of 2026 and are not ongoing, and the Mental Health and
Developmental Disabilities Fund is not being overutilized at this point. They
want to make sure they are prioritizing having healthy funds, but they are
also prioritizing the youth in our community right now.
Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office, answered whether this budget
supplemental only works if they also approve the use of millage from the
Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Fund, and stated the
comprehensive plan works if both budget supplementals are approved (see
AB2025-477 above).
Beck answered why they do not just end the school program a year early,
and stated the contracts are for three years and part of the agreement was to
say that the school districts need to make a plan for how they would go
forward after the contracted time. She answered questions about the plan
going forward.
Buchanan's motion that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR
ADOPTION carried by the following vote:
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Aye: 2 - Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 1 - Byrd
2. AB2025-453 Ordinance amending the 2025 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 6, in the amount
of 16,735,908
Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office, answered if they could consider this item
in the evening meeting (because of time constraints), and stated she is
comfortable speaking about it herself tonight without additional people
present. She requested that questions be emailed to her and Finance
Director Rydel so they can be prepared.
Byrd moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 10:11 a.m.
ATTEST:
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J•••�AarC °•. C� "
Cathy halka, Council Clerk
STATE O F ,�
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
Todd Donovan -via email 7/1/2025
Todd Donovan, Committee Chair
Meet ing'Minutesprep retfby Kristi Felbinger
Whalcom County page 11