Voters in Whatcom County Fire District 21 will decide Aug. 4 whether to approve a levy lid lift to support fire and emergency medical services in northwest Whatcom County. District officials say the current levy rate has fallen from $1.37 per $1,000 of assessed value approved by voters in 2006 to about $0.77 per $1,000 due to levy rate compression, while costs and emergency service demands have increased. If approved, the measure would fund staffing, equipment replacement, facility maintenance and firefighter training. For a home assessed at $500,000, the district estimates annual property taxes would increase from about $385 to $600 in 2027, an increase of approximately $215, or about $18 per month. The levy lid lift would also allow annual increases of up to 3% for the following five years.
Drivers should expect daytime closures on Drayton Harbor Road west of Shintaffer Road beginning Monday, June 8, as Puget Sound Energy relocates utilities in advance of an upcoming Whatcom County landslide repair project. The road will be closed weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, June 19, at the location of the current single-lane closure. A signed detour will be available during closure hours. Drayton Harbor Road will reopen to traffic during evenings and on weekends.
The City of Blaine has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking development partners for a major mixed-use redevelopment project on city-owned property in downtown Blaine. The project would include construction of a new 8,000-square-foot public library, space for a future childcare facility, and more than 30 multifamily housing units with a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. City officials say the project is intended to spur downtown revitalization, expand housing opportunities, and support economic growth. The city is encouraging innovative public-private partnerships and development approaches, noting recent zoning changes that removed height and parking restrictions in the downtown district. Proposals are due July 8, with an optional site tour scheduled for June 23. More information is available at cityofblaine.com.
The Blaine Art Gallery will host an opening reception for its June exhibition from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday at 922 Peace Portal Drive. The exhibit, which runs through July 5, features acrylic paintings by Tom Bakker, pastel works by Lyn Rackley and mixed-media pieces by Gordon Nealy. The gallery will also showcase artwork by Blaine High School students Addie Sakali, Lillian Alms and Ruby Friese. The public is invited to attend the reception, which will include refreshments and treats from L & L Bakery.
