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Home My WebLink About2025 - Whatcom County Charter Amendment Prop No. 9 Adding Accountability to Financial Reporting Requirements - 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, Reclistered 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), 169242 registered'voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 26560 37.23% Rejected 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), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% 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), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 62001 65.3Y" Rejected 10657 14.67% Total 72658 100.00% Overvotes 1 Undervotes 3959 WC Prop 4 Power and Duties Elected Officials (Vote for 1) 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% 76618 ballots (1 over voted ballots, 1 overvotes, 3848 undervotes). Approved 67059 92.15% Rejected 5710 7.85% Total 72769 100.00% Overvotes 1 Undervotes 3848 WC Prop 5 Modifying Redistricting Process (Vote for 1) 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% 76618 ballots (4 over voted )allots, 4 overvotes, 5073 undervotes), Approved 56628 79.15% Rejected 14913 20.85% Total 71541 100.00% Overvotes 4 Undervotes 5073 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% Approveo 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 28335 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 67706 93.39°4 Rejected 4793 h.61 %0 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 J8% Rejected 1 1 i 69 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% Rejected 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 61 34 86.91 re Rejected 9?0 i 13.09°G, 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 2"d day of December, 2025, Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington. Stacy Henthorn County Auditor Proposition No 9 Adding Accountability to Financial Reporting Requirements Ballot Title The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to modify the financial reporting requirements of the County Executive. This measure would amend Section 6.41 of the Whatcom County Charter to prohibit supplemental appropriations if the Executive has not complied with mandatory financial reporting requirements. Currently, the County Executive is required to submit a quarterly report to Council showing the relation between estimated income and expenses and actual income and expenses. This amendment would prohibit the Council from approving supplemental appropriations, with certain exceptions, if that report is not made. Should this proposal be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement The Whatcom County Charter requires the Executive to submit to the County Council a written report showing the relation between estimated income and expenses and actual income and expenses periodically during the budget cycle. If adopted, this Amendment would prohibit the County Council from approving any supplemental budget appropriations unless such a report has been submitted within the last 90 days, unless the supplemental appropriations are for emergencies, mandatory or legally unavoidable costs, or are cost neutral. If the Executive requests supplemental appropriations under these exceptions, the Executive must certify that any funds used maintain a positive balance. Amending Language Article 6 - Financial Administration Section 6.41 Budget Control L) 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 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 tT«ash-inceme available resources. (2) If a report under subsection 1 of this section is late no supplemental appropriations may be approved by the Council The Council may resume making supplemental appropriations once a report for the relevant quarterly ep riod is submitted. (3) Subsection 2 of this section does not apply to: (a) Emergency appropriations subject to hearing under RCW 36.40.140 through RCW 36.40.170, (b) Emergency appropriations not subject to debate under RCW 36.40.180 _ Page 17 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 7 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 ersoll AUG 0 5 2025 Whatcorn CourAy Eleckns PtopoSition/Initiative N rr1 er Deputy Auditor's Signa: 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? eYes i; ] No Yes e Yes 1 Yes 1 s� Yes NZ No 0 No 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 7,6 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, CMC 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 `�11111IN 1111/,111 tip,,�,® C ova• a ° Catsy Clerk of jhe Counc 11 - G,STATE��: COUNTY COURTHOUSE cdG 311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105 P' N �; Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 4 Ali 1 pl G4 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 Pro psi ion No, 9 - Adding Accountability to Financial Reporting Reguirements Ballot Title The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to modify the financial reporting requirements of the County Executive. This measure would amend Section 6.41 of the Whatcom County Charter to prohibit supplemental appropriations if the Executive has not complied with mandatory financial reporting requirements. Currently, the County Executive is required to submit a quarterly report to Council showing the relation between estimated income and expenses and actual income and expenses. This amendment would prohibit the Council from approving supplemental appropriations, with certain exceptions, if that report is not made. Should this proposal be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement The Whatcom County Charter requires the Executive to submit to the County Council a written report showing the relation between estimated income and expenses and actual income and expenses periodically during the budget cycle. If adopted, this Amendment would prohibit the County Council from approving any supplemental budget appropriations unless such a report has been submitted within the last 90 days, unless the supplemental appropriations are for emergencies, mandatory or legally unavoidable costs, or are cost neutral. If the Executive requests supplemental appropriations under these exceptions, the Executive must certify that any funds used maintain a positive balance. Amending Language Article 6 - Financial Administration Section 6.41 Budget Control Ll) 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 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 Eash ii-e-a-me available resources. (2) If a report under subsection 1 of this section is late no supplemental appropriations may be apl2roved by the Council. The Council may resume -making supplemental a ro riations once a report for the relevant quarterly period is submitted. 3 Subsection 2 of this section does not apl2ly to: (a) Emergency appropriations subject to hearing under RCW 36.40.140 through RCW 36.40.170, b Emergency a ro riations not subject to debate under RCW 36.40.180i Page 17 (c) Appropriations which constitute mandatory caseload, enrollment, inflation, or other legally unavoidable costs not contemplated in the current budget and which must be expended prior to the beginning of the next budget ccle• or (d) Appropriations which are cost neutral and do not result in a reduced ending balance for any fund. 4 For any a ra riation request to be considered under subsection 3 of this section the Executive shall submit a si Q ned statement certif in q that all funds utilized for the sure of requested appropriations will maintain a positive fund balance. Page 18