Whatcom County Council approves BBWARM rate increase, fee structure

Whatcom County Council approved a rate increase and change to the funding structure in the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District during its June 18 meeting. The rate increase is the first in the district’s 15-year history.

The average single-family Birch Bay home currently pays $75 annually for BBWARM services. Annual rates for the same size property will increase over four years to $107.55 in 2025, $136.59 in 2026, $163.90 in 2027 and $190.13 in 2028, then adjust with inflation.

Rates have been based on the density of impervious surface area on a property, such as pavement, roofs, driveways or parking areas. The district’s rate structure previously categorized properties in a low, medium or high tier for development density that required property owners to annually pay either $60, $75 or $104.

With council’s approved changes, rate increases in 2025 will increase depending on the property owner’s current rates. After that, BBWARM will switch to a uniform rate.

BBWARM’s annual revenue was $720,000 in 2010 and $780,000 in 2023, said Holly Faulstich, natural resource specialist at Whatcom County Public Works Department. County documents show operating and capital costs for BBWARM projects have risen 50 to 62 percent due to inflation.

The district also has experienced increased demand for projects, especially after the 2021 flooding, said Kraig Olason, stormwater program division manager at Whatcom County Public Works Department.

“It seems like a big increase but if we would have plugged away at it over time, it wouldn’t have been quite as dramatic,” Olason said. “And we did roll it out over four years so hopefully that will take some of the sting out.”

Only one person spoke during the public hearing before council’s vote, voicing concern that BBWARM’s purview has expanded since it formed. The commenter suggested the county replace Birch Bay and Lake Whatcom’s stormwater districts with countywide stormwater management and stormwater control districts.

Councilmember Todd Donovan said he was in support of the commenter’s idea of a countywide stormwater program but wanted to approve the fee increase as an immediate fix.

Council voted 6-1, with councilmember Ben Elenbaas opposed, to approve the rate increase and funding structure change. Elenbaas, who represents Birch Bay, said during the meeting he wanted to be sure Birch Bay residents would receive services that matched the rate increase. He said he knew drainage was a big issue for Birch Bay residents and wanted to hear more input from Birch Bay residents.