Whatcom County Council meeting roundup

The latest news from the March 21 Whatcom County Council meeting.

Blaine water and sewer improvement projects

Council unanimously authorized an agreement with the city of Blaine to provide nearly $1.9 million in grant funding and a $625,000 loan for its sewer improvement project on G Street, part of 8th Street, west of the Blaine school district campus and near the Pacific Highway port of entry. The grant funding is provided through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Council also unanimously passed a separate agreement with the city of Blaine to provide $375,000 in grant funding and a $125,000 loan for its Wellfield Pump Station Infrastructure Project in east Blaine. The grant and loan will be financed through the county’s Economic Development Investment program.

Healthy Children’s Fund implementation plan

Council voted 7-0 to adopt the Healthy Children’s Fund two-year implementation plan at its March 21 regular meeting.

The fund’s property tax measure, which Whatcom County voters narrowly approved as Proposition 5 in the November 2022 election, is estimated to raise approximately $9.98 million each year for 10 years, for investments in early learning and care and vulnerable families. Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS), which will serve as the fund administrator, was tasked with developing and overseeing the implementation plan. 

The plan will use 64 percent of its program funds, or $12.8 million over the two years, for affordable, high-quality, professional and accessible early learning and care experiences in six priority investment areas. Another 27 percent of the funds, about $5.4 million, will be used to support vulnerable children and families, particularly around mental and behavioral health and reducing child and family homelessness.

Criminal Justice Treatment Account

Council voted 7-0 to approve the Criminal Justice Treatment Account (CJTA) plan update for 2023-25. Whatcom County receives nearly $645,000 from the Washington State Healthcare Authority each biennium to fund alternatives for treating nonviolent offenders with substance use disorders.

The Whatcom County CJTA panel has met several times since 2018, and made recommendations for the following services: Substance use disorder assessments for people in the jail, residential treatment service availability, rental assistance for recovery court participants, recovery court case management, and medication for opioid use disorder in the jail, according to the CJTA plan. The panel kept the same basic plan as the previous biennium, adding a substance use disorder assessment program.

Election precinct boundaries

Council unanimously introduced an ordinance amending the election precinct boundaries in Whatcom County Code for public hearing at its Tuesday, April 11 regular meeting.

The proposed precinct maps can be viewed at bit.ly/3TSlak3.