HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2025-057Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2025-721
File ID: AB2025-721 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) Final Action: 12/02/2025
Agenda Date: 12/02/2025 Enactment #: ORD 2025-057
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: rrydel@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for County Road purposes for 2026
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Pursuant to Home Rule Charter Section 6.10, this ordinance requests authorization to levy taxes for
County Road 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 (AS2025-721)
Aye: 6 Buchanan, Byrd, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 1 Donovan
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 25, 2025
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-057
AUTHORIZING THE LEVY OF 2026
PROPERTY TAXES FOR COUNTY ROAD PURPOSES
WHEREAS, pursuant to Home Rule Charter Section 6.10 the County Executive is
required to submit for Council consideration 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 County
Road District 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 tax revenues, and other revenues.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that that an
increase in the County Road District property tax 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 $246,923, 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; and
Page 1
BE IT FINALLY ORDAINED, that the Whatcom County Council does hereby authorize
diverting $1,156,530 of the County Road District levy for the budget year 2026 to the General
Fund. Diverted County Road Taxes are to be used for traffic law enforcement in the
unincorporated areas of Whatcom County.
ADOPT,Mthi�*!2nd day of December
Si 'oyu
10
ATT
Tye.,
Cathy Halka, Clqt ,� tip Council
APPROVEIY* 5, O :
d>
approved'by. Chris Quinn 10.3"0.2025/LB
Civil Deputy Pi'osecutW": ,
2025.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Kayl e Galloway, Council C air
sou 4'c'
Satpal Singh kdhu, County Executive
APPROVED ( ) NOT APPROVED
Date Signed:
Page 2