HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2025-056Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
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Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2025-719
File ID: AB2025-719 Version: 1 Status: Adopted
File Created: 10/08/2025 Entered by: MMiterko@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Finance Division File Type: Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing
Assigned to: Council (Special)
Agenda Date: 12/02/2025
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: rrydelgco.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Final Action: 12/02/2025
Enactment #: ORD 2025-056
Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for Conservation Futures purposes for 2026
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Pursuant to Home Rule Charter Section 6.10, this ordinance requests authorization to levy taxes fro
Conservation Futures purposed in 2026.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
10/21/2025 Council INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC Council
HEARING
Aye: 6 Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 Byrd
11/05/2025 Council HEARD PUBLIC Council Committee of the Whole
TESTIMONY AND
REFERRED TO
COMMITTEE
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
11/18/2025 Council Committee of the Whole DISCUSSED
12/02/2025 Council (Special) PUBLIC TESTIMONY
12/02/2025 Council (Special)
RECEIVED (file not final)
ADOPTED
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 121312025
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2025-719)
Aye: 4 Buchanan, Donovan, Galloway, and Scanlon
Nay: 3 Byrd, Elenbaas, and Stremler
Attachments: Note regarding attachments to be provided, Proposed Ordinance, Notice of Hearing after
10.21.2025, Notice of Hearing on 12.2.2025
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 121312025
PROPOSED BY: Executive
INTRODUCTION DATE: October 21, 2025
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-056
AUTHORIZING THE LEVY OF TAXES
FOR CONSERVATION FUTURES PURPOSES FOR 2026
WHEREAS, pursuant to Home Rule Charter Section 6.10 the County Executive is required to
submit for Council consideration a budget and proposed tax and revenue ordinances necessary to raise
sufficient revenues to balance the budget; and
WHEREAS, the County Council has approved a budget for the 2025-2026 biennium, including
all sources of revenues and anticipated expenditures on November 19, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the County Council, in the course of considering the mid -biennium review and
modification has reviewed all sources of revenue and examined all anticipated expenses and obligations;
and
WHEREAS, the County Council has determined it is necessary to increase the Conservation
Futures property tax levy 1 % for 2026 to fund essential services; and
WHEREAS, the County Council held a public hearing regarding the county biennial budget
and the mid -biennium review, which included property taxes, and other revenues.
Page 1
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that that an
increase in the County Conservation Futures levy is hereby authorized for the levy to be collected in the
2026 tax year. The dollar amount of the increase over the actual levy amount from the previous year
shall be $14,179, which is a percentage increase of I % from the previous year. This increase is exclusive
of additional revenue resulting from new construction, improvements to property, newly constructed
wind turbines, solar, biomass, and geothermal facilities, and any increase in the value of state assessed
property, any annexations that have occurred and refunds made.
ADOPTED this 2nd day of December
4,1�i9��!itr;
� i
ATT�±tJ
Cathy H�lka, Oler oflhe Ccauncil':
p q
MATE O;
APPROVE,A� )TO FORM
approved by CAfi§ Ou' inn 10.30.2025 /LB
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
2025
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Kayl e Galloway, Council Chair
&WP o 4 'a dJ, -
Satpal Sing Sidhu, County Executive
APPROVED ( ) NOT APPROVED
Date Signed: 12. Is
Page 2