HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 - City Of Blaine Proposition 2025-07 Reduction Of City Limits - General and Special Election November 05, 2025Whatcom County
Auditor's Office
Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
December z, 2025
Election Results Receipt
Stacy Henthorn
County Auditor
Amy Grasher
Chief Deputy Auditor
Copies of the following proposition election results from the November 4, 2025 General and Special
Election, have been delivered to the Assessor's and Treasurer's Office:
a City of Blaine, Proposition 2025-07, Reduction of City Limits
® Bellingham School District 501, Proposition 2025-05, Supplemental Operations Levy
o Bellingham School District 501, Proposition 2025-o6, Facilities Maintenance Levy
0 Lynden School District 504, Proposition 2025-09, General Obligation Bonds
■ Fire Protection District 7, Proposition 2025-o8, Restoring Regular Property Tax Levy
m Fire Protection District 18, Proposition 2025-10, Property Tax Levy for Fire Protection
and Emergency Medical Services
Assessor's Office:
Rebecca Xczar
Treasurer's Office:
Steven Oliver
Date
/a - 3 -goa5
Date
Summary Report Page: 1 of 1
Whatcom County, Washington, GENERAL 2025, Nov 04, 2025 2025-11-24
All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, City of Blaine Prop 2025-07 Reduce 16:42:22
City Limits, All Boxes
Total Ballots Cast: 2171, Registered Voters: 169242, Overall Turnout: 1.28%
Choice Votes Vote %
All Precincts
City of Blaine Prop 2025-07 Reduce City Limits (Vote for 1)
2171 ballots 0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 128 undervotes), 4967 registered voters, turnout 43.71%
Yes 1310 64.12%
No 733 35.88
Total 2043 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 128
STATE OF WASHINGTON )
) ss
COUNTY OF WHATCOM )
A canvass of the votes cast by qualified voters in the City of Blaine for the district's submitted ballot measure for the
November 4, 2025 Special Election is complete.
The results of the election were duly canvassed by the Whatcom County Canvassing Board on November 25, 2025,
and the results of said canvass are above.
Dated this 2"d day of December, 2025, Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington.
Stacy Henthorn
County Auditor
Final Lan ua e
Ballot Title
City of Blaine
Proposition 2025-07
Reduction of City Limits
The City Council of the City of Blaine adopted Resolution No. 1982-25 concerning removal of rural East
Blaine land from City corporate limits. This measure would authorize the City of Blaine to remove 573.0
acres more or less of undeveloped rural land from the City limits in accordance with Chapter 35A.16
RCW. The land includes the most eastern portion of the City limits and is located north of H Street and
south of the Canadian border. The land lacks urban infrastructure and is anticipated to remain rural for
the foreseeable future.
Should this proposition be approved?
Yes
No
Ex lanatn Statement
The land proposed for removal consists primarily of forested wetlands, ponds, and aquifer recharge
areas. It has remained undeveloped since it was annexed in 1996 and lacks urban infrastructure. The
purpose of excluding the land includes reducing burdens on taxpayers for extending urban services,
removing land unsuited for urban development, conserving natural resources, and minimizing impacts
to Blaine's aquifer. Generally, the area is located north of H Street and south of the Canadian border,
and begins 1.25 miles east of North Harvey Road and runs to the easternmost point of the current City
limits.
Whatcom County Auditor's Office
Ballot Measure Coversheet
District Name: City of Blaine
District Address: 435 Martin Street, Suite 3000, Blaine, WA 98230
Contact Person 1
Michael Harmon, City Manager
Name & Title
360-332-8311
Phone & email
Attorney Information
Peter Ruffatto
rvame
pruffatto@csdlaw.com, 360-306-3019
Phone & email
Contact Person 2
Samuel Crawford, Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
ivanie a i iuc
360-543-9820
Phone & email
Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure?
� Yes 0 No
requiredAre the following documents
Resolution
Yes
0 No
with original signatures or a certified copy
Explanatory Statement
by
Yes
0 No
prepared your attorney, not to exceed 100 words
Committee Appointment Forms
forms for
Yes
( No
separate each committee
Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet!
Yes
0 No
Auditor's Office Use
Received By Email
JUL 2 5 2025
Whatcom County Elections
_ 202�; -o
Proposition/Initiative Number
A,i.U,V,(�,Pm1r%-Sig4nature
Missing document(s):
I understand that the submittal deadline date for the missing
documents is and the Auditor's Office will
not begin processing this ballot measure until all documents
have been submitted.
Presenter's Signature
Reviewed 12/12/2023
Received By Email
JUL 2 5 2025
Resolution No. 1982-25 Whatcom County Elections
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BLAINE, WASHINGTON
TO SUBMIT TO ITS VOTERS A PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THE CITY
CORPORATE LIMITS TO REMOVE CERTAIN PROPERTY THAT HAS
REMAINED RURAL IN CHARACTER AND UNDEVELOPED SINCE ITS
ANNEXATION IN 1996.
Whereas, the current corporate limits of the City of Blaine include 573.0 acres more or less of
land (the "Property" or "Territory"), also known as the East Blaine Area and described in Exhibit
A, and depicted on Exhibit B;
Whereas, the Property is not and has not been served with infrastructure that is urban in nature,
such as City water and sewer, and has not developed to urban levels since being annexed to the
City in 1996;
Whereas, the City Council recognizes that the Property largely consists of undeveloped rural
land including forested wetlands, ponds, and aquifer recharge areas, which, combined with other
factors and changed circumstances, make road and other urban infrastructure improvements cost
prohibitive for the foreseeable future including for the Growth Management Act ("GMA")
planning period;
Whereas, the unsuitability of the Property for urban development is evidenced by, among other
things, the lack of development activity, including the expiration of a vesting development
agreement and the lack of developer -funded urban infrastructure extension since it was annexed
approximately thirty (30) years ago;
Whereas, the Property encompasses approximately 573.0 acres more or less within the City's
corporate boundaries, which limits the City's ability under the GMA to include other lands more
suited for urban use and development;
Whereas, Chapter 35A.16 of the Revised Code of Washington ("RCW") authorizes the
reduction of city limits pursuant to a prescribed statutory process;
Whereas, on April 28, 2025, the City Council approved Resolution 1972-25 directing staff to
develop a proposal to de -annex the Property in the context of the City's Comprehensive Plan
update;
Whereas, after due consideration of prosed reduction in City limits, the City Council has
determined that the reduction would preserve natural neighborhoods and communities; be
consistent with physical and other appropriate boundaries; preserve logical service areas; protect
natural resources; and adjust what has come to be an impractical boundary given the lack of
urban development within the area;
Whereas, after due consideration of the benefits and burdens associated with maintaining the
Property within the City corporate limits, including the burden on taxpayers and preservation of
natural resources in the East Blaine Area, the City Council has determined that the burden
outweighs any benefits and that the Property should be considered for removal from the City
corporate boundaries;
Whereas, the City Council desires to submit the question to the voters at the general election to
be held on November 4, 2025, whereupon should three fifths (3/5ths) of the voters favor removal
of the Property from the City corporate limits, the City Council shall adopt an ordinance
removing said Property;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Blaine as
follows:
Section 1. _FindiPZ2 — Exhibits. The City Council adopts the above recitals as
findings in support of this Resolution, and hereby incorporates Exhibits A, B, C, D and E into
this Resolution.
Section 2. Election — Ballot Title, The City Council directs staff to submit the
attached proposition (Exhibit C, the Proposition) to the voters at the general election to be held
on November 4, 2025 by filling a certified copy of this Resolution with the Auditor of
Whatcom County and take such other action as is necessary therefor under applicable State
law. The City Council further requests that the Auditor of Whatcom County, as ex officio
supervisor of elections, call and conduct a special election in the City on November 4, 2025,
for the purpose of submitting the Proposition to the qualified voters of the City for their
approval or rejection.
Section 3. Territo.Ey5 Pursuant to Chapter 35A.16 RCW, this Resolution
identifies the Territory to be excluded and removed from the City's corporate limits (Exhibits
A and B) and the corporate limits of the City as it will exist after exclusion of the Territory
(Exhibit D).
Section 4. Voter's Pamphlet CQmmittees; Pursuant to RCW 29A.32.280, the
following individuals are appointed to serve on the voter's pamphlet committees, one committee
to prepare arguments advocating voters' approval of the Proposition and one committee to
prepare arguments advocating voters' rejection of the Proposition:
Committee to prepare arguments for Proposition:
1. Richard May
2. Amy Ernlund
Committee to prepare arguments against Proposition:
1. Jay Taber
Section S. Severabilit�. If any provision of this Resolution is declared by any
court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, then such provision shall be null and void and
shall be separable from the remaining provisions of this Resolution and shall in no way
n
affect the validity of the other provisions of this Resolution or of any other ordinance or
Resolution.
5gJLgn,, . Effecfive Date. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its
passage and adoption.
Passed by majority vote of the City of Blaine City Council in open meeting this 14 day of July,
2025.
CITY OF BLAINE COUNCIL
"t.[ J
MARY LOU WT EWARD, Mayar
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
amnel Crawfor , lerk
EXHIBIT A
DESCRIPTION OF TERRITORY TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THE CITY OF BLAINE
THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED TRACTS:
GOVERNMENT LOTS 1 AND 2, TOGETHER WITH THE EAST HALF OF THE
SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 41 NORTH RANGE 1 EAST
OF W.M.
GOVERNMENT LOTS 1, 2,3 AND 4, TOGETHER WITH THE SOUTH HALF OF
SECTION 34, TOWNSHIP 41 NORTH RANGE 1 EAST OF W.M.
GOVERNMENT LOT 4, TOGETHER WITH THE WEST HALF OF THE
SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 35, TOWNSHIP 41 NORTH RANGE 1 EAST
OF W M.
ALL OF H STREET ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY ABUTTING THE ABOVE DESCRIBED
PARCELS LYING WITHIN SECTIONS 2,3 AND 4, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE
1 EAST OF W.M.
SITUATE IN WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON.
SUBJECT TO AND TOGETHER WITH ALL EASEMENTS, COVENANTS, RESTRICTIONS
AND/OR AGREEMENTS OF RECORD OR OTHERWISE
EXHIBIT B
DEPICTION OF THE TERRITORY TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THE CITY OF BLAINE
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EXHIBIT C
BALLOT PROPOSITION
CITY OF BLAINE
PROPOSITION NO. 1
REDUCTION OF CITY LIMITS
The City Council of the City of Blaine adopted Resolution No. 1982-25 concerning removal of
rural East Blaine land from City corporate limits.
This measure would authorize the City of Blaine to remove 573.0 acres more or less of
undeveloped rural land from the City limits in accordance with Chapter 35A.16 RCW. The land
includes the most eastern portion of the City limits and is located north of H Street and south of
the Canadian border. The land lacks urban infrastructure and is anticipated to remain rural for the
foreseeable future.
Should this proposition be approved?
L.... Yes
C....No
EXHIBIT D
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE CITY LIMITS AFTER REMOVAL OF
THE SUBJECT TERRITORY
CURRENT CITY LIMITS EXCEPT THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED TRACTS:
GOVERNMENT LOTS 1 AND 2, TOGETHER WITH THE EAST HALF OF THE
SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 41 NORTH RANGE 1 EAST
OF W.M.
GOVERNMENT LOTS 1, 2,3 AND 4, TOGETHER WITH THE SOUTH HALF OF
SECTION 34, TOWNSHIP 41 NORTH RANGE I EAST OF W.M.
GOVERNMENT LOT 4, TOGETHER WITH THE WEST HALF OF THE
SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 35, TOWNSHIP 41 NORTH RANGE I EAST
OF W.M.
ALL OF H STREET ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY ABUTTING THE ABOVE DESCRIBED
PARCELS LYING WITHIN SECTIONS 2,3 AND 4, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE
1 EAST OF W.M.
SITUATE IN WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON.
SUBJECT TO AND TOGETHER WITH ALL EASEMENTS, COVENANTS, RESTRICTIONS
AND/OR AGREEMENTS OF RECORD OR OTHERWISE
EXHIBIT E
CURRENT CITY OF BLAINE LIMITS
CITY OF BLAINE, WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
435 Martin Street, Suite 2000, Blaine, WA 98230
Phone: (360) 332-8311 1 Email: SCraawford@ciLyofblaine.cortl
CERTIFIED COPY OF RESOLUTION
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I, Samuel Crawford, Deputy City Manager/City Clerk of the City of Blaine, Washington, do
hereby certify that the attached document is a true and correct copy of:
Resolution No. 1982-25
Title: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BLAINE, WASHINGTON TO SUBMIT TO ITS
VOTERS A PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THE CITY CORPORATE LIMITS TO REMOVE CERTAIN
PROPERTY THAT HAS REMAINED RURAL IN CHARACTER AND UNDEVELOPED SINCE ITS
ANNEXATION IN 1996.
Adopted on: Monday, July 14, 2025
by the City Council of the City of Blaine, Washington, at a duly noticed and regularly
scheduled meeting held on the above date, and that said resolution is on file and of record in
the Office of the City Clerk.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of Blaine, Washington this July 17, 2025.
amuel Craw rd
Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
City of Blaine, Washington
Peter M. Ruffatto
ATTORNEYS Attorney
CSD �AT LAW pruffatto@csdlaw.com
d. 360.306.3019
July 23, 2025
VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
m h armon.(r_) cityofblaine. com
scrawford(a-)cityofblaine.com
Michael Harmon, City Manager
Samuel Crawford, City Clerk
City of Blaine
435 Martin St.
Blaine, WA 98230
RE: Explanatory Statement on Ballot Proposition for Reduction of City Limits
Dear Mike,
Please consider this to be the proposed explanatory statement for the above -referenced ballot title for
submission to the County Auditor and review and approval by the County Prosecuting Attorney, per
RCW 29A.32.241(1)(d):
The land proposed for removal consists primarily of forested wetlands, ponds, and aquifer
recharge areas. It has remained undeveloped since it was annexed in 1996 and lacks
urban infrastructure. The purpose of excluding the land includes reducing burdens on
taxpayers for extending urban services, removing land unsuited for urban development,
conserving natural resources, and minimizing impacts to Blaine's aquifer. Generally, the
area is located north of H Street and south of the Canadian border, and begins 1.25 miles
east of North Harvey Road and runs to the easternmost point of the current City limits.
The deadline for submission to the County Auditor is August 5, 2025 at 4:30 pm. I trust you will
forward this submission to the County Auditor by that date. Thank you.
Sincerely,
CSD ATTORNEYS AT LAW P.S.
42AI�_
Peter M. Ruffatto
Blaine City Attorney