The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2025 - Whatcom County Charter Amendment Prop No. 8 Modifying the Budget Process - General and Special 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% Rejected 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% Rejected 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% Rejected 57'10 7.85% Total 72769 100.00% Overvotes 1 Undervotes 3848 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 5 Modifying Redistricting Process (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (4 over voted ballots, 4 overvotes, 5073 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 56628 79.150/, Reiected 14913 20.85% Total 71541 100.00% Overvotes 4 Undervotes 5073 WC Prop 6 Adjusting Signatures Required for Referendum (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots 0 over voted ballots, 1 overvotes, 3954 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 33995 46.78% Reiected 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. Re istered 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 67706 93.39% Rejected 4793 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% Reiected 4845 6.66%q 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% Rejected 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% 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 . 61134 86.91 % Reiected 9207 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 yHHe'nJthhorn v County Auditor Proposition No 8 - Modifying the Budget Process Ballot Title The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to modify the budget amendment process. This measure would amend Article 6 of the Whatcom County Charter to require the County Executive to publish budget preparation instructions via website 180 days before the end of the budget cycle, would require county departments and the county executive to submit budget related information earlier in the budget cycle, would require the Executive to provide budget information to the Council, and would require the executive to post other budget related information to a public website. Should this proposal be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement The Whatcom County Charter sets deadlines for when County agencies must provide budget information to the executive and when the executive must provide a complete budget and budget message to the Council. If adopted, this amendment would modify those deadlines, requiring that information to be provided earlier in the budget cycle and require compliance with a deadline set by state law. This amendment would also require the Executive to publish budget preparation instructions, the budget and the budget message, and a required report on incomes and expenses on a public facing website. Amending Language Article 6 - Financial Administration Section 6.10 Presentation and Adoption of Budgets At-4east-seventy-€ive-(75-)-dey-ss-priorye-t#e--er&d- aeh-Iat+dget— ydeIn accordance with RCW 36.40,050, the County Executive shall present to the County Council a complete budget and budget message, proposed current expense and capital budget appropriation ordinances, and proposed tax and revenue ordinances necessary to raise sufficient revenues to balance the budget; and at least thirty (30) days prior to the end of the budget cycle, the Council shall adopt appropriation, tax and revenue ordinances for the next budget cycle. Section 6.20 Budget Information (1) On or before the earlier of one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the end of the budget cycle or the date set forth under RCW 36.40.010, the County Executive shall notify in writing each county official elected or appointed in charge of an office department, service, or institution of the count to file with them detailed and itemized estimates both of the probable revenues from sources other than taxation and of all expenditures required by such office department service or institution for the ensuing budget cycle. The notification submitted under this subsection as well as any other instructions for preparing the budget shall be made available on a public facing website. I At ene-hLmdf-ed4lir ty-f+ve-(4.35-)On or before the earlier of one hundred fifty (150) days prior to the end of the budget cycle or the date set forth under RCW 36,40.010, all Page 15 District Name: District Address: Contact Person 1 Whatcom County Auditor's Office Ballot Measure Coversheet II 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 tnfmmation Kellen Kooistra Name 360-778-5751, kkooistr@co.whatcom.wa.us Phone & email Resolution with original signatures or a certified copy Explanatory Statement prepared by your attorney, not to exceed 100 words Committee Appointment Forms separate forms for each committee Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet Auditor's Office Use i'�eceived In Person AUG 0 5 2025 Whatco M. Courity Elections Propositiionliinitiative N m {er 1 Deputy Auditor's Sig,,jii 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? i& Yes 0 No J Yes No Yes No Yes 0 No iYes 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 —Y6 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, A132025-507, 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 i 6A a • c /j • Cathya�k� C0� Clerk of jhe Council - STATE OF COUNTY COURTHOUSE '�GaM CO 311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105�� Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 Ak 9SFr p G� 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 Mutchler, Rod Stump Proposition No. 8 - Modifying the Budget Process Ballot Title The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to modify the budget amendment process. This measure would amend Article 6 of the Whatcom County Charter to require the County Executive to publish budget preparation instructions via website 180 days before the end of the budget cycle, would require county departments and the county executive to submit budget related information earlier in the budget cycle, would require the Executive to provide budget information to the Council, and would require the executive to post other budget related information to a public website. Should this proposal be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement The Whatcom County Charter sets deadlines for when County agencies must provide budget information to the executive and when the executive must provide a complete budget and budget message to the Council. If adopted, this amendment would modify those deadlines, requiring that information to be provided earlier in the budget cycle and require compliance with a deadline set by state law. This amendment would also require the Executive to publish budget preparation instructions, the budget and the budget message, and a required report on incomes and expenses on a public facing website. Amending Language Article 6 - Financial Administration Section 6.10 Presentation and Adoption of Budgets In accordance with RCW 36.40.050, the County Executive shall present to the County Council a complete budget and budget message, proposed current expense and capital budget appropriation ordinances, and proposed tax and revenue ordinances necessary to raise sufficient revenues to balance the budget; and at least thirty (30) days prior to the end of the budget cycle, the Council shall adopt appropriation, tax and revenue ordinances for the next budget cycle. Section 6.20 Budget Information 1 On or before the earlier of one hundred eight180 days prior to the end of the budget cycle or the date set forth under RCW 36.40.010 the County Executive shall notify in writing each county official, elected or appointed, in charge of an office de artment service or institution of the county, to file with them detailed and itemized estimates, both of the probable revenues from sources other than taxation and of all expenditures required by such office department, service or institution for the ensuing budget ccle. The notification submitted under this subsection as well as an other instructions for re grin the bud et shall be made available on a public facing website. At least one hundred thirty five 115-)Dn or before the earlier of one hundred fifty 150 days prior to the end of the budget cycle or the date set forth under RCW 36.40.010, all Page 15 agencies of County government shall submit to the County Executive information necessary to prepare the budget. The Count Council may request and the Executive shall make available any information submitted pursuant to this subsection within seven days of request of the Council. 3 At least one hundred twenty 120 days prior to the end of the budget ccle the Executive shall transmit to the Council and make available on a public facing website available information submitted pursuant to Subsection 2 of this section. Section 6.41 Budget Control Within six weeks following the end of each quarterly period during the budget cycle, and more often if required, the County Executive shall submit to the County Council an�sh on the Executive's ublic facing website a written report showing the relation between the estimated income and expenses and actual income and expenses to date; and if it shall appear that the income is less than anticipated, the Council may reduce appropriations, except amounts required to meet contractual obligations and for debt, interest and other fixed charges, to such a degree as may be necessary to keep expenditures within the cash income. Section 6.50 Copies of the Budget Copies of the budget and budget message shall be delivered to the County Auditor and each councilmember. The budget message and supporting tables shall be published on the Executive's public facing website and furnished to any interested person upon request for a reasonable fee as established by ordinance and shall be available for public inspection from the time the budget message is delivered. Page 16