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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Dec 9 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, December 9, 2025 8:50 AM Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 10:20 A.M.(PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010); AGENDA REVISED 12.8.2025 COUNCILMEMBERS Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee Call To Order Roll Call Committee Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 8:52 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 Donovan stated Item #20 (AB2020-853) is a substitute and that they would consider item #21 (AB2025-854) separately so they can hold it. Buchanan moved to recommend approval of Consent Agenda items one through forty. Councilmembers considered consent items 6, 13, 16, 18, 21, and 31 separately. Councilmembers asked questions on the following: Consent Agenda item # 17 (AB2025-849) Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office, spoke about the plan (as outlined in the Staff Memo on file) for the City of Bellingham to partner with South Whatcom Fire Authority (SWFA) to provide emergency services on Galbraith Mountain, and that they have requested that the County be a contributor for two years. Consent Agenda item #s 34-38 (resardina Operation Stonegarden) Scanlon stated he has been hearing a lot from constituents who are concerned about Federal law enforcement in the county. He asked whether the cities which the County is working with have made similar statements (as made by the Whatcom County Sheriff) that they are operating in alignment with the Keep Washington Working Act, and whether something can be put in those agreements that says the cities have to comply with the act. Steve Harris, Undersheriff, stated he presumes that the cities are compliant with Washington State laws (the same as the Sheriffs Office) and are not doing anything that would put them in jeopardy of violating those laws, but Whatcom County Page l Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee he would refer the Council to the individual municipalities. He spoke about whether a statement could be added to the agreements and spoke about what is involved in the Stonegarden activities. He answered whether the Stonegarden grants are mainly for border communities, and stated they are. Consent Agenda item # 10 (AB2025-836) Bea Acland, Human Resources, briefed the councilmembers and stated this comes up every year. It is excess insurance for larger workers compensation claims. Donovan restated the motion and stated they would consider Consent Agenda item numbers 1-5, 7-12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23-30, and 32-40 by consent. Councilmembers voted on the Consent items (see votes on individual items below). 1. AB2025-815 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Axon Enterprise, Inc. for a five-year subscription of Axon Justice Premier for 41 users for storage and sharing of law enforcement body worn camera and other media evidence using Axon's cloud -based service, in the amount of $302,588 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. AB2025-824 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an amended agreement between Whatcom County and Shawna Bosman, ARNP for juvenile detention nurse practitioner services, in the amount of $105,519 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. AB2025-828 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center to provide eviction prevention resolution services, in the amount of $72,760, for a total amended contract amount of $282,519 Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR Whatcom County Page 2 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 0 4. AB2025-829 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Ferndale Community Services to increase housing stability for families with young children in the amount of $481,996, for a total amended contract amount of $858,412 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 5. AB2025-831 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Lydia Place to increase housing stability for families with young children in the amount of $955,060 for a total amended contract amount of $2,110,584 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 6. AB2025-832 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to provide on -site supportive services to residents of the permanent supportive housing facility known as 22 North, in the amount of $648,568 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW 7. AB2025-833 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Sean Humphrey House to provide partial funding for the operating expenses of two adult family homes which are providing care solely for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and who are exiting housing instability, in the amount of $59,000 Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Whatcom County Page 3 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 0 8. AB2025-834 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Lydia Place to expand mental health and parent support services to low-income families with children ages 0-5 in the amount of $348,177, for a total amended contract amount of $822,963 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. AB2025-835 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Sustainable Connections to increase countywide solid waste reduction rates in the amount of $136,875 for a total amended contract amount of $322,292 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. AB2025-836 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract to bind coverage with Midwest Employer Casualty in the amount of $120,069 for renewal of insurance protection for the self -insured workers compensation program for calendar year 2026 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 11. AB2025-839 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Crossroads Consulting for facilitation of the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee, in the amount of $39,900 Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following Whatcom County pugs 4 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 0 12. AB2025-844 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Whatcom Conservation District for education, outreach, and technical assistance with Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) stormwater programs, in the amount of $119,000 (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 13. AB2025-845 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Whatcom Conservation District for education, outreach, and technical assistance with Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility (LWSU) stormwater programs, in the amount of $90,000 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW 14. AB2025-846 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a subrecipient agreement amendment between Whatcom County and the Whatcom Conservation District to ensure ongoing technical support funded by the National Estuary Program for Pollution Identification and Correction Program efforts, in the amount of $773,342 for a total amended amount of $1,561,674 (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 15. AB2025-847 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the Whatcom Conservation District for Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) Program technical assistance and cost share, in the amount of $77,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) Whatcom County Page 5 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee 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 16. AB2025-848 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. to complete the final phase of a four-year study of the timing and magnitude of groundwater pumping on streamflow depletion at three study locations, in the amount of $147,532 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW 17. AB2025-849 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for partial funding of emergency medical services on Galbraith Mountain and nearby areas in the amount of $49,000 in 2025 and $49,191 in 2026 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. AB2025-850 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. to complete Phase 2 of an investigation into the impacts of agricultural the drains on stream flows, in the amount of $128,531 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW 19. AB2025-852 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and the State of Washington Office of Public Defense to accept RCW 10.101 grant funds for the purpose of improving public defense services in Whatcom County in the amount of $436,108 Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Whatcom County Page 6 Council Finance and Administrative Committee ✓Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee Nay: 0 20. AB2025-853 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Whatcom Fire District #7 to fund up to two lateral paramedic positions, in the amount of $149,951 for a total amended contract amount of $495,488 Buchanan moved that the SUBSTITUTE Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 0 21. AB2025-854 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham to eliminate funding for three lateral paramedic positions, decreasing the contracted amount by $224,823 for a total amended contract amount of $783,619 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW 22. AB2025-855 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Just Appraised Inc. to extend the terms of Contract #202412018 for three years in the amount of $123,094 for a total amended contract amount of $183,369 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 23. AB2025-856 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center to provide mediation services, in the amount of $120,000 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 24. AB2025-857 Request authorization for the County Executive to award Bid 425-82 and enter into a contract between Whatcom County and CAMAO Construction, LLC for Whnkoin County Page 7 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee replacement of the roof of the maintenance garage at Maple Falls Community Park, in the amount of $99,443 Buchanan moved that the Bid Award be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 0 25. AB2025-860 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a Collective Bargaining Agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Nurses Association for the period January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2028 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 26. AB2025-861 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for the County to provide probation services to the City 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 27. AB2025-862 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Blaine for the County to provide probation services to the City 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 28. AB2025-864 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Everson for the County to provide probation services to the City Whatcom County Page 8 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee 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 29. AB2025-865 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Lynden for the County to provide probation services to the City 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 30. AB2025-866 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Sumas for the County to provide probation services to the City 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 31. AB2025-868 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and the Whatcom Community Foundation for administrative services for the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission in the amount of $150,000 THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BELOW 32. AB2025-869 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a Collective Bargaining Agreement between Whatcom County and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for the period of January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2027 Buchanan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Wkateonn County Page 9 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee Nay: 0 33. AB2025-870 Request authorization for the County Executive to award Bid #25-80 and enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Trico Office Interiors to supply and install a modular office furniture system in the Assessor's Office in the amount of $114,725 Buchanan moved that the Bid Award be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 0 34. AB2025-874 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Blaine for Operation Stonegarden FY24, in the amount of $20,130 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 35. AB2025-875 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Everson for Operation Stonegarden FY24, in the amount of $20,130 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 36. AB2025-876 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Ferndale for Operation Stonegarden FY24, in the amount of $20,790 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 Whatcom County Page 10 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee 37. AB2025-877 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Lynden for Operation Stonegarden FY24, in the amount of $20,130 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 38. AB2025-878 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Sumas for Operation Stonegarden FY24, in the amount of $20,130 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 39. AB2025-879 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for Operation Stonegarden FY24, in the amount of $16,665 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 40. AB2025-880 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Summit Law Group to provide legal services for matters related to collective bargaining, in the amount not to exceed $164,076 in 2025 and not to exceed $89,076 in 2026 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 Council "Consent Agenda" Items Considered Separately Whatcom County Page 11 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee 6. AB2025-832 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to provide on -site supportive services to residents of the permanent supportive housing facility known as 22 North, in the amount of $648,568 Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 1 - Byrd 13. AB2025-845 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an Interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Whatcom Conservation District for education, outreach, and technical assistance with Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility (LWSU) stormwater programs, in the amount of $90,000 Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. Byrd stated he would like to see more Flood Control Zone District funds going toward actual flood control projects, mitigating flood damage, and prevention. Donovan's motion that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 1 - Byrd 16. AB2025-848 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. to complete the final phase of a four-year study of the timing and magnitude of groundwater pumping on streamflow depletion at three study locations, in the amount of $147,532 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) Donovan moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 1 - Byrd 18. AB2025-850 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. to complete Phase 2 of an investigation into the impacts of agricultural tile drains on stream flows, in the amount of $128,531 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) Whatcom County Page 12 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee Donovan moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, answered when the data from the study will be available with actions to build hard policy off of, and stated this is the last year of this and a second study, which both started a few years ago, so they will have results mid -year for one and toward the end of the year for the other. He spoke about the purpose of this study. He answered how they justify this being under the flood control category when it does not seem to be dealing with flooding, and stated the Flood Control Zone District was expanded to include stormwater and watershed management and planning in the 1990s. Donovan's motion that the Contract (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 1 - Byrd 21. AB2025-854 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham to eliminate fiinding for three lateral paramedic positions, decreasing the contracted amount by $224,823 for a total amended contract amount of $783,619 Donovan stated they have a request from the executive's team to hold this item and that it will be coming back to Council in January. Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED TO HOLD IN COMMITTEE. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 0 31. AB2025-868 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and the Whatcom Community Foundation for administrative services for the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission in the amount of $150,000 Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 1 - Byrd Special Presentation 1. AB2025-830 Report from the Auditor's Office Whatcom County Page 13 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee Stacy Henthorn, County Auditor, read from a presentation (on file) on services the Auditor's Office provides and she answered questions. She answered whether she is challenged with holding on to staff who are experienced in administering elections, and stated it had been an issue a few years ago (because of political pressure) but right now they are stable with the staff that they have. She answered questions about recording fees and where they go, how staffing and other factors affect recording revenue, the payment check-out process in the Auditor's Office, and whether there is anything on the legislative agenda for the 2026 session that the County Auditors Association is pushing for that would help make their work easier. She spoke about their legislative priorities. This agenda item was REPORTED. 2. AB2025-858 Quarterly Report from the Finance Division Randy Rydel, Administrative Services Department Finance Director, read from a presentation (on file). Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office, answered if the budget builds in a certain expectation about what sales tax will be growth -wise when they are anticipating what revenues will look like, and stated they did assume about a 2.5 percent increase. She stated they are not at a point where they are revising the forecast fully, but it is one of the factors in proceeding with caution going into 2026 and holding back some discretionary spending in the short term while they see what happens. Rydel stated they have identified a few items that they will not be moving forward with until they get more clarity on what the new basis is that will be added to the sales tax. He continued the presentation and spoke about operational updates, including new budget software, and year-ed activities. Rydel and Pennucci answered questions about budget supplementals in funds that are built up over time to spend larger amounts, whether budget supplementals are an indication of declining State or Federal revenue, and that revenues in funds like the ferry fund cannot be annualized because they are variable and not linear. This agenda item was REPORTED. Committee Discussion 1. AB2025-863 Discussion of a resolution authorizing the sale of personal property, pursuant to Whatcom County Code 1.10, Procedures for Management and Dispostion of County -owned Personal and Real Property Wkalcom County Page 14 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final Services Committee The following people discussed the item with councilmembers: • Elizabeth Kosa, Public Works Department Director • Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office • Kimberly Thulin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office • Brett Piepel, Public Works Department • Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office December 9, 2025 They discussed whether this list could be sent to Search and Rescue to see if anything would be useful for them, what County requirements are around how they dispose of property and the gifting of public funds, that what is up for council consideration today is authorizing the sale of surplus personal property which may be different than the sale of real property, and that if they donate the equipment, the department will not get revenue back, which could have a budget impact for future equipment rates. This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council 1. AB2025-859 Resolution approving a salary schedule and policies for unrepresented Whatcom County employees effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027 Buchanan moved that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 0 2. AB2025-794 Ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 2, in the amount of $12,120,000 Donovan moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. Stremler asked for an explanation of why the request amount is $12,120,000, but the memo states that the net change is only $282,933. The following people read from the memo (on file) and answered questions: • Julia Green, Public Works Department • Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office Donovan's motion that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR Wkateom County Page 15 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final December 9, 2025 Services Committee ADOPTION carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 0 3. AB2025-796 Ordinance establishing the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Leasehold Improvements Project Fund and establishing an initial budget for the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Leasehold Improvements Project Fund Byrd moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 0 4. AB2025-798 Ordinance establishing the Birch Bay Beach Park Project Fund and establishing an initial budget for the Birch Bay Beach Park Project Fund Buchanan moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 1 - Byrd 5. AB2025-816 Ordinance amending the 2025 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 12, in the amount of $3,565,060 Buchanan 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 1. AB2025-882 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into agreement amendments between Whatcom County and the homeowners participating in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Elevation Grant program to account for rising construction costs, in the amount of $449,544 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) Byrd moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 0 Whatcom County Page 16 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final Services Committee Other Business Adjournment There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 10:18 a.m. ATTESTa � GAF Cathy::Halka, Cou � I be►`k F,.. .:' December 9, 2025 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA Todd Donovan -via email 12/16/2025 Todd Donovan, Committee Chair Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger Whateonr County Page 17