Whatcom County Council November and December meeting roundup

The latest news from November and December Whatcom County Council meetings 

Whatcom County final 2023-24 budget

Whatcom County Council adopted, in a 5-2 vote, with councilmembers Tyler Byrd and Ben Elenbaas opposed, the county’s final budget for 2023-24 in its November 22 regular meeting. The county will spend over $117.2 million in 2023 and $121.1 million in 2024 out of the general fund, according to the ordinance.

Elenbaas said he was torn because he only had one vote, and while he supports many budget items, like 10 new deputies to join Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, he listed other issues he believes need to be addressed. His concerns included homelessness, flooding issues, a new jail facility and mental health. 

“So I’m torn. Torn on whether I’m voting ‘yes’ or voting ‘no,’” he said. “Probably leaning more towards a no, because I really want to support the whole package, and I don’t know if I’m there yet.”

Blaine Urban Growth Area

Council unanimously adopted a new urban growth area for the city of Blaine as the previous interlocal agreement, passed in 2012, was set to expire. 

Changes from the last agreement include being subject to the review and evaluation program in the 2022 buildable lands report, city to reimburse county for depreciated value of capital road and stormwater construction projects completed during the 15-year period prior to annexation – previously 10-year, responsibilities for sales tax revenue sharing, and modifications to resource lands and rural areas provisions. 

Blaine, Birch Bay and 

Custer area traffic, signage

Council voted on numerous traffic detours and signage changes in Blaine, Birch Bay and Custer.

Council held a public hearing to establish a one-way traffic pattern on Drayton Harbor Road for eastbound travelers and a signed detour for westbound travelers that will begin around Friday, January 13, 2023, while public works repairs the westbound lane of Drayton Harbor Road, west of Shintaffer Road. The safety detour is five miles, connecting Harborview Road, Lincoln Road, Semiahmoo Parkway and Drayton Harbor Road, according to the detour map. 

The repairs will not be completed until summer 2024, according to a November 29 press release. An ordinance to remove a temporary stop sign on Drayton Harbor Road was also held in council for public testimony.

Council adopted separate ordinances to install stop signs at two intersections on Bay Road, at Kickerville and Valley View roads.

Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce funding

Council granted the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce $130,000 to pay for the operations of the Birch Bay Visitor Information Center for 2023. 

An additional $10,000 was added to the contract to pay for the cost of renting port-a-potties that would better accommodate the visiting public, according to the memorandum. The contract for 2022 was $110,000. 

BBWARM education and outreach funding

Council passed an ordinance for the county to provide $93,000 to Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management District (BBWARM) for stormwater outreach assistance.  

BBWARM was created in 2007 in response to community concerns about water quality, flooding and loss of aquatic habitat in the Birch Bay watershed, according to its website.

For more county council information, visit whatcom.legistar.com/calendar.aspx.