HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2025-050Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2025-872
File ID: AB2025-872 Version: 1 Status: Substitute Amended
and Approved
File Created: 12/26/2025 Entered by: KSmith@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council (Special) Final Action: 12/30/2025
Agenda Date: 12/30/2025 Enactment #: RES 2025-050
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: ksmith@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution authorizing the use of Healthy Children's Fund dollars for flood relief assistance for families
with vulnerable children
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
n/a
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
12/30/2025 Council (Special) SUBSTITUTE APPROVED
AS AMENDED
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Attachments: Proposed Resolution, Substitute Resolution, 2nd Substitute Resolution, Memo - Whatcom Long
Term Recovery Group
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 1/5/2026
PROPOSED BY: BUCHANAN, STREMLER
INTRODUCED: DECEMBER 30, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-050
AUTHORIZING THE USE OF HEALTHY CHILDREN'S FUND DOLLARS TO
PROTECT VULNERABLE YOUNG CHILDREN AFFECTED BY FLOODING
WHEREAS, Whatcom County experienced severe winter storms, high winds,
flooding, mudslides, and landslides beginning December 9, 2025 (herein "2025 Storm
Events"); and
WHEREAS, the winter storms beginning on December 9, 2025 led to evacuations,
property damage, and disruption of daily life for Whatcom County residents and has
intensified the vulnerability of many families with young children in our community; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu issued a Proclamation of
Emergency on December 9, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the availability of state and federal assistance is unknown at this point
and, if available, will likely be slow to arrive; and
WHEREAS, the Healthy Children's Fund is a voter -approved property tax levy to
support early childhood learning and care and for the support of vulnerable children; and
WHEREAS, for purposes of this resolution, "vulnerable children" refers to children
aged 0-5 and their immediate families impacted by the 2025 Storm Events and as otherwise
consistent with the Healthy Children's Fund ordinance and administrative guidelines,
including but not limited to income level, housing instability, or developmental risk; and
WHEREAS, the Council desires to provide rapid support to flood -impacted families
with vulnerable children by using funds from the Healthy Children's Fund; and
WHEREAS, expenditures that stabilize housing, address health and safety needs,
and reduce trauma for children aged 0-5 following a disaster directly support the Healthy
Children's Fund purposes of promoting early childhood health, development, and family
stability; and
WHEREAS, although the Healthy Children's Fund is not intended to function as a
disaster relief program, limited and targeted use of funds to stabilize families with
vulnerable young children following a declared emergency is consistent with the Fund's
purpose; and
WHEREAS, the immediate needs of flood -impacted families with vulnerable children
are not being met by current disaster relief funding systems; and
WHEREAS, ensuring every Whatcom County child gets a healthy start is a
fundamental goal of the Healthy Children's Fund; and
WHEREAS, the use of Healthy Children's Fund dollars under this resolution is
intended to supplement, and not supplant, other local, state, or federal disaster assistance
programs; however, the Council supports the reimbursement of any Healthy Children's Fund
dollars used to support families impacted by the 2025 Storm Events with state or federal
disaster relief dollars that arrive at a later date; and
WHEREAS, the Council expects little to no long-term impact on funds available
through the Healthy Children's Fund due to the limited nature of the proposed use, the
potential for partial or full reimbursement through future state or federal disaster relief
funding, and the continued prioritization of core early childhood investments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council requests
the County Executive to use up to $750,000 from the Healthy Children's Fund to provide
disaster relief assistance related to the 2025 Storm Events to families with vulnerable
children aged 0-5 years, in a manner consistent with purposes of the Healthy Children's
Fund, and that the Executive report back to Council on expenditures, outcomes, and any
reimbursement received from state or federal sources; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council supports the reimbursement of any
Healthy Children's Fund dollars, pursuant to the terms of the Healthy Children's Fund,
used to support families impacted by the 2025 Storm Events with state or federal disaster
relief dollars that arrive at a later date; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this expenditure from the Healthy Children's
fund shall supplement, and not supplant, other local, state, or federal disaster assistance
programs; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this expenditure from the Healthy Children's
Fund shall be made equitably available and accessible to all flood -impacted families with
vulnerable children ages 0-5 years, from all backgrounds, regardless of citizenship or
immigration status.
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APPROVED AS TO FORM.-''_'`
Kimberly Thulin by email 12/30/25-ks
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
2025.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
K lee alloway, Council Chair