The latest news from June Whatcom County Council meetings.
Emergency Medical Services
six-year levy continuation
Whatcom County Council introduced the renewal of a countywide tax levy for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) that was amended to lower the rate from $.295 per $1,000 to $.199 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in a 5-2 vote, with councilmembers Tyler Byrd and Ben Elenbaas opposed. Approval to place the levy on the November ballot will be voted on during the July 12 meeting.
Covid-19 response report
discussion in next meeting
Council will discuss a review of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which was completed by an independent consulting firm, in the council’s public works and health committee meeting on Tuesday, July 12.
A draft of the Covid-19 review recently released praises the county’s overall health response but criticizes its organization and communication with the public. Council will discuss the study along with comments from current and former county staff.
Birch Bay Drive and
Pedestrian Project funding
Council unanimously passed a contract amendment by consent agenda for Birch Bay berm funding from Washington State Department of Transportation in the amount of $1.4 million.
Berm construction was completed in August 2021, and the total estimated project cost is nearly $15.3 million.
Communications for
incarceration task force
Council voted 5-2, with councilmembers Byrd and Elenbaas opposed, to enter into an $88,800 contract with Pyramid Communications for public communications for the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force (IPRTF).
IPRTF’s purpose is to review the county’s criminal justice and behavioral health programs and make specific recommendations to safely and effectively reduce incarceration of individuals struggling with mental illness and chemical dependency, according to the county’s website. Pyramid Communications will help the task force develop a communications campaign and framework.
Housing and
essential needs program
Council voted 6-1, with councilmember Byrd opposed, for the county executive to enter into a $2.5 million contract between the county and Opportunity Council to administer a housing and essential needs (HEN) program.
HEN provides funding and utility assistance, essential items and case management for recipients whose eligibility is determined by the department of social and health services. According to the memorandum, Opportunity Council will serve 175 HEN-eligible individuals with rental assistance and case management services, and 230 will receive essential items.
Kindergarten readiness
levy lid lift proposition
A proposed levy lid lift to increase Whatcom County’s regular property tax levy by $0.19 per $1,000 of assessed valuation will be on the November 8 ballot. Council voted 5-1-1, with councilmember Elenbaas opposed and councilmember Byrd abstaining, to submit the proposition to the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office.
If passed, the county’s regular property tax levy will be $0.94 per $1,000 assessed value, according to the memorandum. The increase will fund childcare and early childhood programs to improve kindergarten readiness and funding for support of homeless and otherwise vulnerable children. About $8.2 million will be collected in 2023 and the following nine years.
Developmental
disability services funding
Whatcom County Council unanimously authorized a final contract agreement with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services for nearly $4.1 million in developmental disability services funding. The total contract amount is $8.2 million.
Funding goes to employment and community access services for adults with developmental disabilities, child development services for children 3 years old and under, and community information and training. It will aid an estimated 670 adults and children, according to the memorandum.
For more information on upcoming council meetings, visit the county’s website at bit.ly/3ApLlXF.
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