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Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
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Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2026-480
File ID: AB2026-480 Version: 1 Status: Substitute Approved
File Created: 06/10/2026 Entered by: CHalka@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee Final Action: 07/14/2026
Agenda Date: 07/14/2026 Enactment #: RES 2026-028
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: jgernand((�ko.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution requiring additional public notice of proposed Whatcom County Council action to increase
taxes
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See attached
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
07/14/2026 Council Finance and Administrative RECOMMENDED FOR
Services Committee APPROVAL WITH
PROPOSED
AMENDMENT(S)
Aye: 7 Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
07/14/2026 Council SUBSTITUTE APPROVED
Aye: 7 Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Attachments: Discussion Draft, Proposed Resolution, Proposed Resolution as amended in committee 7.14.2026,
2025 Data, Agenda Bill Master Report
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 711512026
PROPOSED BY: STREMLER
INTRODUCED: July 14, 2026
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-028
REQUIRING ADDITIONAL PUBLIC NOTICE OF PROPOSED TAX MEASURES
AND SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARINGS
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council is elected to represent the people of
Whatcom County and serve in their best interests; and
WHEREAS, public participation in the legislative process enables Council to make well-
informed decisions and ensures that government remains responsive and accountable to the
people; and
WHEREAS, Council is committed to fostering an open and transparent public process
that actively encourages participation and feedback from community members; and
WHEREAS, Council periodically considers legislation that, if adopted, would increase
taxes within Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council periodically acts in other legal capacities
established by state law, including but not limited to serving as the Board of Supervisors of the
Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District and other governing bodies, and in those
capacities may levy taxes, establish fees, or take other legislative actions authorized by law;
and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County provides essential public services including road
construction and maintenance, law enforcement, prosecution, public defense, courts,
emergency medical services, public health, flood control, and other services relied upon by
county residents; and
WHEREAS, taxes, fees, grants, and other public revenues authorized by law are the
primary means by which Whatcom County public services are funded; and
WHEREAS, tax increases can have a significant impact on the financial wellbeing of the
people of Whatcom County, particularly those who are most vulnerable; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Charter 2.30 and the Whatcom County Code at
2.02.120 requires proposed ordinances or summaries thereof, the location where copies are
filed and times the proposed ordinances are available for inspection be published upon
introduction and again upon enactment; and
WHEREAS, the Washington Open Meetings Act at Chapter 42.30 RCW requires any
legislative act must occur at a meeting that is open to the public and advanced notice of the
meeting Agenda be made available to the public as also reflected at Whatcom County
2.02.045; and
WHEREAS, Council wishes to further increase the visibility of potential tax increases
within Whatcom County in order to ensure that community members have ample opportunity
to learn about the proposed tax and provide informed input.
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council routinely conducts public hearings regarding
proposed ordinances and other legislative actions that may affect county laws, taxes, fees,
budgets, land use, or public services, and timely public notice of those hearings promotes
informed public participation; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that Council
Office staff shall provide additional public notice when:
1. A proposed ordinance, resolution, or other legislative action that would levy,
modify, repeal, or submit to the voters a tax or fee is first included on a publicly
posted Council agenda; or
2. The Council schedules a public hearing on any matter.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the additional public notice required by this
resolution shall be provided at the same time the applicable Council agenda is first made
available to the public and shall include:
1. Posting on a County Council -managed webpage dedicated to this purpose;
2. Posting on all County Council social media accounts;
3. Submitting via press release to Whatcom County news outlets.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, these additional notice provisions are meant to
supplement legally required notice provisions set forth in state law and local code.
APPROVED this 14t" day of July, 2026
04
ATTEST ®® ®" V1 ®®®
Cathy H''.Ika, CJeA��fq®noun
APPROVED AS�T&MO "
Kimberly Thulin 7/6/2026 via email (KO)
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
1 ��� f?!! R-�
Kaylee Galloway, Council Chair