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Home My WebLink About2025 - Whatcom County Charter Amendment Prop No. 4 Clarifying the Power and Duties of Elected Officials - General and Special Election November 5, 2025Summary Report Page: 1 of 2 Whatcom County, Washington, GENERAL 2025, Nov 04, 2025 2025-11-24 All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, WC Prop 1 Auth Councilmembers to 16:40:46 Hire Aides, WC Prop 10 Initial Rules Charter Review Comm Meetings, WC Prop 11 Adjust Sig Requirements for Charter Amend, WC Prop 12 Land Supply and Construction Cost Analysis, WC Prop 2 Establish Office Ombuds, WC Prop 3 Establishing Performance Audits, WC Prop 4 Power and Duties Elected Officials, WC Prop 5 Modifying Redistricting Process, WC Prop 6 Adjusting Signatures Required for Referendum, WC Prop 7 Prohibiting County Gov from Interfering, WC Prop 8 Modifying Budget Process, WC Prop 9 Add Accountability to Financial Reporting, All Boxes Total Ballots Cast: 76618. Registered Voters: 169242, Overall Turnout: 45.27% Choice Votes Vote % All Precincts WC Prop 1 Auth Councilmembers to Hire Aides (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 5285 undervotes), Approved 26560 37.23% Reiected 44773 62.77% Total 71333 100.00% Overvotes 0 Undervotes 5285 WC Prop 2 Establish Office Ombuds (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (3 over voted ballots, 3 overvotes, 3421 undervotes), Approved 35918 49 07% Reiected 37276 50.93% Total 73194 100.00% Overvotes 3 Undervotes 3421 WC Prop 3 Establishing Performance Audits (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (1 over voted ballots, 1 overvotes, 3959 undervotes), Approved 62001 85.33% Reiected 10657 14.67% Total 72658 100.00% Overvotes 1 Undervotes 3959 WC Prop 4 Power and Duties Elected Officials (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (1 over voted ballots, 1 overvotes, 3848 undervotes), Approved 67059 92.15% Reiected 5710 7.85% Total 72769 100.00% Overvotes 1 Undervotes 3848 WC Prop 5 Modifying Redistricting Process (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (4 over voted ballots, 4 overvotes, 5073 undervotes), Approved 56628 79.15% Reiected 14913 20.85% Total 71541 100.00% Overvotes 4 Undervotes 5073 169242 registered' voters, turnout 45.27% 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% WC Prop 6 Adjusting Signatures Required for Referendum (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (1 over voted ballots, 1 overvotes, 3954 Undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approvea 33995 46.78% Rejected 38668 53.22% Total 72663 100.00% Overvotes 1 Undervotes 3954 WC Prop 7 Prohibiting County Gov from Interfering (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (4 over voted ballots, 4 overvotes, 4582 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 43647 60.59% Rejected 28385 39.41 % Summary Report Page: 2 of 2 Whatcom County, Washington, GENERAL 2025, Nov 04, 2025 2025-11-24 All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, WC Prop 1 Auth Councilmembers to 16:40:46 Hire Aides, WC Prop 10 Initial Rules Charter Review Comm Meetings, WC Prop 11 Adjust Sig Requirements for Charter Amend, WC Prop 12 Land Supply and Construction Cost Analysis, WC Prop 2 Establish Office Ombuds, WC Prop 3 Establishing Performance Audits, WC Prop 4 Power and Duties Elected Officials, WC Prop 5 Modifying Redistricting Process, WC Prop 6 Adjusting Signatures Required for Referendum, WC Prop 7 Prohibiting County Gov from Interfering, WC Prop 8 Modifying Budget Process, WC Prop 9 Add Accountability to Financial Reporting, All Boxes Total Ballots Cast: 76618. Registered Voters: 169242. Overall Turnout: 45.27% Choice Votes Vote % Total 72032 100.00% Overvotes 4 Undervotes 4582 WC Prop 8 Modifying Budget Process (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (2 over voted ballots. 2 overvotes, 4117 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved �i 7700 93 3E Reiected 4 /93 6.61 Total 72499 100.00% Overvotes 2 Undervotes 4117 WC Prop 9 Add Accountability to Financial Reporting (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (1 over voted ballots, 1 overvotes. 3830 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 67942 93.34% Rejected 4845 6.66% Total 72787 100 00% Overvotes 1 Undervotes 3830 WC Prop 10 Initial Rules Charter Review Comm Meetings (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (3 over voted ballots, 3 overvotes, 6455 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 58991 84.08% Reiected 11169 15.92% Total 70160 100.00% Overvotes 3 Undervotes 6455 WC Prop 11 Adjust Sig Requirements for Charter Amend (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (4 over voted ballots, 4 overvotes, 6701 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 28650 40 98% Reiected 41263 59 02"s Total 69913 100.00% Overvotes 4 Undervotes 6701 WC Prop 12 Land Supply and Construction Cost Analysis (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (2 over voted ballots, 2 overvotes. 6275 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 61 134 86 91 "ra Reiected 920 / 13.09 Total 70341 100.00% Overvotes 2 Undervotes 6275 STATE OF WASHINGTON ) ) ss COUNTY OF WHATCOM ) A canvass of the votes cast by qualified voters in Whatcom County 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 2nd day of December, 2025, Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington. Stacy Henthorn County Auditor Proposition No 4 - Clarifying the Power and Duties of Elected Officials Ballot Title The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to clarify the powers and duties of county elected officials. This measure would amend Article 3 of the Whatcom County Charter to clarify the independence of the County Elected Offices from the office of the County Executive and to make more consistent the terminology used to describe those offices. This amendment clarifies the powers and duties of each elected office without changing those powers or duties. Should this proposal be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement The powers and duties of the County Executive, the County Assessor, the County Auditor, the County Treasurer, and the County Sheriff are prescribed in Article 3 of the Whatcom County Charter. In that Article, language describing the offices and their roles could be considered ambiguous or confusing. If adopted, this Amendment would update the language in Article 3 to clarify the powers and duties of each elected office and to reaffirm the independence of these elected county officials from the County Executive. This Amendment does not change the powers or duties of any elected office. Amending Language Article 3 - The Executive Branch Section 3.22 Powers and Duties As Chief Executive Officer, the County Executive shall have all the executive powers of the County which are not expressly vested in the County Assessor, the County Auditor, the County Treasurer, and the County Sheriff (hereafter referred to as Other Elected Officials) and other specific elective officers by this Charter. The County Executive shall have the power to: (a) Supervise all administrative offices and executive departments established by this Charter or created by the County Council. (b) Execute and enforce all ordinances and state statutes within the county. (c) Present to the County Council an annual statement of the governmental affairs of the County and any other report which may be deemed necessary. (d) Prepare and present to the County Council budgets and a budget message setting forth proposals for the County during the next fiscal year. (e) Prepare and present to the County Council comprehensive plans including capital improvement plans for the present and future development of the county. (f) Veto any ordinance adopted by the County Council except as otherwise provided in this Charter. (g) Assign duties to administrative offices and executive departments which are not specifically assigned by this Charter or by ordinance. (h) Sign or cause to be signed, on behalf of the County, all claims, deeds, contracts and other instruments. Page 7 District Informabon District Name: District Address: Contact Person 1 Whatcom County Auditor's Office Ballot Measure Coversheet Whatcom County 311 Grand Ave., Bellingham WA 98225 Jenna Gernand, Legislative Coordinator Name & Title 360-778-5017, jgernand@co.whatcom.wa.us Phone & email Attorney Information Kellen Kooistra Name 360-778-5751, kkooistr@co.whatcom.wa.us Phone & email Contact Person 2 Kirsten Smith, Deputy Clerk Name & Title 360-778-5015, ksmith@co.whatcom.wa.us Phone & email Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure? :0 Yes 0 No Resolution 1 Yes No with original signatures or a certified copy Explanatory statement prepared by your attorney, not to exceed 100 words Yes 0 No Committee Appointment Forms separate forms for each committee Yes C No Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet Auditor's Office Use Received if 1-��7� AUG 0 5 2025 VIhatcom. Cou* Eledons �fC7 O'S�� d • - 1 Proposition/initiative N m �Ier� Deputy Auditor's Skgna[ Yes 0 No 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 CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Cathy Halka, AICP, CIVIC COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL July 29, 2025 MEMORANDUM To: County Auditor Stacy Henthorn From: Kaylee Galloway, Council Chair T4 RE: Submittal of 2025 Charter Review Commission Amendments COUNCILMEMBERS Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Kaylee Galloway Jon Scanlon Mark Stremler The County Council, at its July 22, 2025 meeting, voted 7-0 to receive the amendments put forward by the Charter Review Commission and submit them to the Auditor's office for the Nov. 4, 2025 General Election. Senior Deputy Prosecutor Kellen Kooistra wrote ballot titles and explanatory statements for the amendments, with input from the Charter Review Commission. Cc: Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council Attachment: 2025 Proposed Charter Amendments COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360)778-5010 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL CLERK'S CERTIFICATE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Cathy Halka, AICP, CIVIC For AB2025-507: Receipt of the Whatcom County Charter Review Commission's proposed amendments to Whatcom County voters and submittal to the Auditor I, the undersigned, duly chosen, qualified, and acting Clerk of the County Council of Whatcom County, Washington, and keeper of the records of the County Council (hereinafter referred to as "Council"), DO HEREBY CERTIFY: 1. The attached record of the Whatcom County Council, AB2025-507, is a true and correct copy of the original file, consisting of 21 pages, as maintained and duly recorded in my office pursuant to RCW 36.22.010(6), 36.32.140; 2. Said file is maintained in all respects in accordance with law, and that the content of the file has not, to the best of my knowledge, been altered; 3. 1 am authorized as Clerk of the Whatcom County Council to execute this certificate. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the Whatcom County Council, this 28 day of July, 2025. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY WASHINGTON �,%Jjj1Hfill/, C ,- W*"-..-� a CatSytalQ Cou v Clerk of the Council � STATE OF,� _ '°�SNiA1G� e v a v • � v `�1 C'Q r? CoG COUNTY COURTHOUSE c 311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105 { Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 9$1f t N GS WHATCOM COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION TO: Whatcom County Council FROM: 2025 Whatcom County Charter Review Commission DATE: July 10, 2025 RE: Charter Review Commission Recommended Amendments to Voters Liz Darrow, Chair Jennifer Wright, vice -Chair The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission recommends twelve (12) Charter amendments to the voters for the November 4, 2025 General Election. Please forward these amendments to the Whatcom County Auditor per Charter Section 8.20. The full text of the amendments and expanatory statements follow. — ------------ Liz Darrow, Chair Approved via text 7.14.25/ks Jennifer Wright, Vice -Chair District 1: Liz Darrow, Joel Pitts -Jordan, Andrew Reding; District 2: Eamonn Collins, Colton Kaltenfeldt, Maya Morales; District 3: Doug Chadwick, Jessica Rienstra, Jennifer Wright; District 4: Joe Elenbaas, Brad Kelly Hannah Ordos; District 5: Lindsey Graham Elenbaas, Jon Mutchier, Rod Stump Proposition No. 4 - Clarifying the Power and Duties of Elected Officials Ballot Title The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to clarify the powers and duties of county elected officials. This measure would amend Article 3 of the Whatcom County Charter to clarify the independence of the County Elected Offices from the office of the County Executive and to make more consistent the terminology used to describe those offices. This amendment clarifies the powers and duties of each elected office without changing those powers or duties. Should this proposal be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement The powers and duties of the County Executive, the County Assessor, the County Auditor, the County Treasurer, and the County Sheriff are prescribed in Article 3 of the Whatcom County Charter. In that Article, language describing the offices and their roles could be considered ambiguous or confusing. If adopted, this Amendment would update the language in Article 3 to clarify the powers and duties of each elected office and to reaffirm the independence of these elected county officials from the County Executive. This Amendment does not change the powers or duties of any elected office. Amending Language Article 3 - The Executive Branch Section 3.22 Powers and Duties As Chief Executive Officer, the County Executive shall have all the executive powers of the County which are not expressly vested in the County Assessor, the County Auditor, the County Treasurer, and the County Sheriff (hereafter referred to as Other Elected Officials anti_ other specific elective officers by this Charter. The County Executive shall have the power to: (a) Supervise all administrative offices and executive departments established by this Charter or created by the County Council. (b) Execute and enforce all ordinances and state statutes within the county. (c) Present to the County Council an annual statement of the governmental affairs of the County and any other report which may be deemed necessary. (d) Prepare and present to the County Council budgets and a budget message setting forth proposals for the County during the next fiscal year. (e) Prepare and present to the County Council comprehensive plans including capital improvement plans for the present and future development of the county. (f) Veto any ordinance adopted by the County Council except as otherwise provided in this Charter. (g) Assign duties to administrative offices and executive departments which are not specifically assigned by this Charter or by ordinance. (h) Sign or cause to be signed, on behalf of the County, all claims, deeds, contracts and other instruments. Page 7 The specific statement of particular executive powers shall not be construed as limiting the executive powers of the County Executive Section 3.40 The Executive Offices The executive offices shall consist of the demos offices of the Other Elected Officials , , f th and those agendes departments and offices of the executive branch which are primarily engaged in the execution and enforcement of ordinances and statutes concerning the public peace, health and safety and which furnish or provide governmental services directly to or for the residents of Whatcom County Section 3.52 Powers and Duties The County Assessor, County Auditor County Treasurer and County Sheriff created by adoption of this Charter shall have the powers and duties of their respective offices as provided by general law or as modified by this Charter, provided that these offices y +ese F the ^ud*ter and :FFe .,.UFe shall be subject to the personnel, budgeting and any other policies set by the County Council. In lieu of the 12owers and duties provided by general law, the County Auditor shall have the powers and duties described in this section. The County Auditor shall be the recorder of deeds and other instruments which are required by law to be filed and recorded in the County; shall issue licenses and other records, as specified in County law and as an agent of the state; shall certify and administer all elections within the County, as part of these duties shall publish and distribute a local voters pamphlet for all primary and general elections, and maintain voter rolls and records; shall audit County financial systems, records, and management procedures for compliance with recognized accounting principles and conformance to federal, state, and County laws, policies, and procedures; shall insure the adequacy and standing of County finances through certification of an annual financial report; and shall perform other duties as specified by County law. The County Treasurer shall be the official responsible for tax and assessment billing and receipt of money due the County; shall disburse funds for the County; shall be responsible for banking relationships, cash and debt management, and investment of funds; shall maintain necessary records and submit regular reports on treasury activities; and shall perform other duties as specified by County law. Page 8