[{"EventItemId":67933,"EventItemGuid":"45A25C79-A728-46A1-82CC-85DB853635E6","EventItemLastModifiedUtc":"2026-10-23T15:29:19.55","EventItemRowVersion":"AAAAAADhqTo=","EventItemEventId":3325,"EventItemAgendaSequence":1,"EventItemMinutesSequence":1,"EventItemAgendaNumber":null,"EventItemVideo":350237,"EventItemVideoIndex":2,"EventItemVersion":null,"EventItemAgendaNote":null,"EventItemMinutesNote":"{\\rtf1\\ansi\\ansicpg1252\\deff0\\deflang1033{\\fonttbl{\\f0\\fnil\\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}}\r\n{\\colortbl ;\\red0\\green0\\blue0;}\r\n\\viewkind4\\uc1\\pard\\f0\\fs26 Council Chair Kaylee Galloway called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. in a hybrid meeting.\\cf1\\par\r\n}\r\n","EventItemActionId":null,"EventItemActionName":null,"EventItemActionText":null,"EventItemPassedFlag":null,"EventItemPassedFlagName":null,"EventItemRollCallFlag":0,"EventItemFlagExtra":0,"EventItemTitle":"Call To Order","EventItemTally":null,"EventItemAccelaRecordId":null,"EventItemConsent":0,"EventItemMoverId":null,"EventItemMover":null,"EventItemSeconderId":null,"EventItemSeconder":null,"EventItemMatterId":null,"EventItemMatterGuid":null,"EventItemMatterFile":null,"EventItemMatterName":null,"EventItemMatterType":null,"EventItemMatterStatus":null,"EventItemMatterAttachments":[]},{"EventItemId":67934,"EventItemGuid":"A11F6240-002F-47BF-B97E-159F3CAA7148","EventItemLastModifiedUtc":"2026-10-20T22:12:57.49","EventItemRowVersion":"AAAAAADhZi8=","EventItemEventId":3325,"EventItemAgendaSequence":2,"EventItemMinutesSequence":2,"EventItemAgendaNumber":null,"EventItemVideo":350238,"EventItemVideoIndex":11,"EventItemVersion":null,"EventItemAgendaNote":null,"EventItemMinutesNote":null,"EventItemActionId":null,"EventItemActionName":null,"EventItemActionText":null,"EventItemPassedFlag":null,"EventItemPassedFlagName":null,"EventItemRollCallFlag":1,"EventItemFlagExtra":0,"EventItemTitle":"Roll Call","EventItemTally":null,"EventItemAccelaRecordId":null,"EventItemConsent":0,"EventItemMoverId":null,"EventItemMover":null,"EventItemSeconderId":null,"EventItemSeconder":null,"EventItemMatterId":null,"EventItemMatterGuid":null,"EventItemMatterFile":null,"EventItemMatterName":null,"EventItemMatterType":null,"EventItemMatterStatus":null,"EventItemMatterAttachments":[]},{"EventItemId":67935,"EventItemGuid":"845AC8E6-42C9-4614-99B4-E8832F1638D5","EventItemLastModifiedUtc":"2026-10-20T22:12:57.49","EventItemRowVersion":"AAAAAADhZjE=","EventItemEventId":3325,"EventItemAgendaSequence":3,"EventItemMinutesSequence":3,"EventItemAgendaNumber":null,"EventItemVideo":350240,"EventItemVideoIndex":28,"EventItemVersion":null,"EventItemAgendaNote":"If you require special assistance to participate, please contact the Council Office at 360-778-5010 at least 96 hours in advance. Assistive listening devices are available in Council Chambers, and live captions are available through Zoom for those participating remotely. This committee meeting is also noticed as a meeting of the Whatcom County Council, with the agenda limited to committee business.\r\n","EventItemMinutesNote":null,"EventItemActionId":null,"EventItemActionName":null,"EventItemActionText":null,"EventItemPassedFlag":null,"EventItemPassedFlagName":null,"EventItemRollCallFlag":0,"EventItemFlagExtra":0,"EventItemTitle":"Announcements","EventItemTally":null,"EventItemAccelaRecordId":null,"EventItemConsent":0,"EventItemMoverId":null,"EventItemMover":null,"EventItemSeconderId":null,"EventItemSeconder":null,"EventItemMatterId":null,"EventItemMatterGuid":null,"EventItemMatterFile":null,"EventItemMatterName":null,"EventItemMatterType":null,"EventItemMatterStatus":null,"EventItemMatterAttachments":[]},{"EventItemId":67941,"EventItemGuid":"A7A4AF5F-716A-444B-B499-5EFD2F0E4FA3","EventItemLastModifiedUtc":"2026-10-20T22:12:57.493","EventItemRowVersion":"AAAAAADhZjM=","EventItemEventId":3325,"EventItemAgendaSequence":4,"EventItemMinutesSequence":4,"EventItemAgendaNumber":null,"EventItemVideo":350241,"EventItemVideoIndex":36,"EventItemVersion":null,"EventItemAgendaNote":null,"EventItemMinutesNote":null,"EventItemActionId":null,"EventItemActionName":null,"EventItemActionText":null,"EventItemPassedFlag":null,"EventItemPassedFlagName":null,"EventItemRollCallFlag":0,"EventItemFlagExtra":0,"EventItemTitle":"Committee Discussion","EventItemTally":null,"EventItemAccelaRecordId":null,"EventItemConsent":0,"EventItemMoverId":null,"EventItemMover":null,"EventItemSeconderId":null,"EventItemSeconder":null,"EventItemMatterId":null,"EventItemMatterGuid":null,"EventItemMatterFile":null,"EventItemMatterName":null,"EventItemMatterType":null,"EventItemMatterStatus":null,"EventItemMatterAttachments":[]},{"EventItemId":67942,"EventItemGuid":"AA772908-B59C-43C2-9004-0284E1AD76D1","EventItemLastModifiedUtc":"2026-10-23T15:34:07.577","EventItemRowVersion":"AAAAAADhqaU=","EventItemEventId":3325,"EventItemAgendaSequence":5,"EventItemMinutesSequence":5,"EventItemAgendaNumber":"1.","EventItemVideo":350242,"EventItemVideoIndex":37,"EventItemVersion":"1","EventItemAgendaNote":null,"EventItemMinutesNote":"{\\rtf1\\ansi\\ansicpg1252\\deff0\\deflang1033{\\fonttbl{\\f0\\froman\\fprq2\\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\\f1\\fnil\\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}}\r\n{\\colortbl ;\\red0\\green0\\blue0;}\r\n\\viewkind4\\uc1\\pard\\f0\\fs26 Donnell Tanksley, Whatcom County Sheriff, briefed the Council regarding the tight budget cycle and the Executive\\rquote s proposal to eliminate Sheriff\\rquote s deputy positions. Tanksley explained that out of the options proposed by the Executive (in Staff Memo - Criminal Justice Training Commission Grant attached to AB2026-687), option three was the most viable. Tanksley also recognized that the grant funding that would support maintaining sheriff\\rquote s deputy positions expires in 2028.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil discussed the different potential options for funding additional sheriff\\rquote s deputies including how many deputies the County can fund, if the Criminal Justice sales tax revenue can be used to fund deputy positions after 2028, and if the County could find savings to pay for additional deputies by having them conduct additional tasks that are currently being contracted out. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nKayla Schott-Bresler, Deputy Executive, explained that adding the sixth deputy position back into the budget would have a higher cost because there would not be matching funds from the Criminal Justice Training Commission Grant.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nTanksley stated that he hasn\\rquote t had the chance to read any of the proposals. He explained he would like to have a conversation about deputies providing additional services such as courthouse security in the long term. \\par\r\n\\b\\i\\par\r\nGalloway moved\\b0\\i0  to approve amendment line number 12 (in the list of Councilmember Budget Amendments attached to AB2026-687), which would fund scenario two (described in Staff Memo-Criminal Justice Training Commission Grant). (This proposal is to fund four entry level deputy positions in the Sheriff's Office plus one deputy in\\par\r\ntraining hired in July 2026.)\\par\r\n\\par\r\nScanlon seconded the motion.\\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Galloway and Scanlon shared that this was the most fiscally responsible option while still putting four more sheriff\\rquote s deputies on patrol across Whatcom County. Scanlon added that Council should not wait before having the conversation about how to fund these positions past 2028.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil discussed the process for approving budget amendments, stating that if this motion passed, the other proposed amendments funding sheriff\\rquote s deputy positions would not be contemplated. Council also noted that votes at this meeting would be preliminary direction for staff to prepare additional service requests (ASRs) and a final vote to amend the budget would still be required at a later meeting. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nElenbaas asked if the Executive\\rquote s Office would prefer councilmember budget amendments to be more prescriptive about where reductions should be made to accommodate additional spending or if they would prefer councilmembers be more general and allow the Executive\\rquote s Office to identify reductions based on their familiarity with the budget.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nSchott-Bresler answered that they would prefer for councilmembers to provide general policy direction of where they would like to look for reductions and that the more time they have knowing what reductions Council might accept, the better they can mitigate the impacts of those reductions. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nRandy Rydel, Finance Director, shared his screen and talked through a graph of projected fund balances in this biennium and beyond. He explained that the County needs to have a fund balance of at least 15% of the prior year\\rquote s revenues. Based on the current trajectory, the Executive\\rquote s proposed budget goes below the 15% threshold in 2030. Rydel also showed how the projections change if the Council added five or six sheriff\\rquote s deputy positions. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil discussed potential solutions for funding the sheriff\\rquote s deputy positions. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nScanlon asked what the net impact would be of asking the Sheriff\\rquote s Office to take on additional tasks. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nSteve Harris, Undersheriff, answered that the Sheriff\\rquote s Office is not excited about taking on additional tasks, including animal control, but they would still prefer to have additional deputies that can prioritize their response if needed.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil discussed their desire to see more deputies on patrol and the different options for funding additional deputies. \\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\pard\\sa160 The motion carried by the following vote:\\par\r\n\\b Aye:\\b0  4 - Boyle, Galloway, Rienstra, and Scanlon \\par\r\n\\b Nay\\b0 : 3 - Buchanan, Elenbaas, and Stremler\\par\r\n\\pard\\par\r\nCouncilmembers discussed the possibility of phasing in additional deputy positions and revisiting the conversation at the mid-biennium. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nSchott-Bresler and Rydel answered questions on how position freezing affects the budget and the potential of revisiting the conversation at the mid-biennium.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil discussed how to move forward with the remaining amendments. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nKimberly Thulin, Prosecuting Attorney\\rquote s Office, answered a question on parliamentary procedure. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nBoyle introduced budget amendment proposal number one on the list of Councilmember Budget Amendments, adding back $5,000 for Councilmember travel. \\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\b\\i Boyle moved \\b0\\i0 to restore $5,000 to the Council's budget for educational travel.\\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Rienstra seconded the motion.\\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Council discussed the motion including what expenses councilmembers should cover themselves.\\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Councilmember Scanlon asked if the Council Office has a budget lapse this year.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nKirsten Smith, Clerk of the Council, answered that Council Office does have a budget lapse in the travel fund and some other unspent funds, but a lot of those funds will be reduced in the next budget.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil discussed how councilmembers use travel funds. \\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\pard\\sa160 The motion failed by the following vote:\\par\r\n\\b Aye:\\b0  3 - Boyle, Galloway, and Rienstra\\par\r\n\\b Nay\\b0 : 4 - Buchanan, Scanlon, Elenbaas, and Stremler\\par\r\n\\pard\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Smith introduced amendment number two on the list of Councilmember Budget Amendments to fully fund the contract for hearing examiner services and answered questions about the bid process.  \\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil discussed the proposal including the scope of hearing examiner services.\\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\b\\i Scanlon moved\\b0\\i0  to approve proposal number two (in list of Councilmember Budget Amendments). \\par\r\n\\par\r\nBoyle seconded the motion. \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\pard\\sa160\\b0 The motion carried by the following vote:\\par\r\n\\b Aye:\\b0  6 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler\\par\r\n\\b Nay\\b0 : 1 - Elenbaas\\par\r\n\\pard\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Scanlon introduced budget amendment proposal number three to accelerate spending in the Healthy Children\\rquote s Fund and stated he wanted to hear from Health and Community Services about a memo that looks at projected spending over the next few years. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nChamp Thomaskutty, Health and Community Services Director, stated that, based on the current contracts and plans that have not gone to the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, the department anticipates a fund balance between three and seven million at the end of the biennium. Thomaskutty explained that there is room to do additional projects within the biennium but needs some time to confirm fund balance projections and expects that there will be contracts that were already awarded that need to increase due to an increase in building costs. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nGreg Iturria, Health and Community Services, stated that there is guesswork in forecasting costs and revenues over the next 30 months, but, based on the current spending plan, the conservative estimate would be a $3 million dollar fund balance at the end of the biennium and a less conservative estimate would be around $7.2 million, assuming Council does not propose anything else.  \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Sarah Simpson, Health and Community Services, stated that once they have all current awarded capital projects under contract, they plan to release another capital project RFP. Simpson also mentioned that capital projects are costing more than initially expected.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nScanlon and Rydel discussed ways to inform the public about how much money the County is intending to spend from the Healthy Children\\rquote s Fund in this biennium. \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Council and Simpson discussed what types of capital projects are being funded, how to fund projects that open child care centers or expand child care slots, and the need to increase capital project spending going to the community. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nSchott-Bresler shared that Health and Community Services will be presenting to the Council on Tuesday, October 27 an update on the fund and feedback from local providers. Schott-Bresler also answered questions on the Healthy Children\\rquote s Fund balance.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nThomaskutty stated that, in general, the Executive-proposed budget provides what is needed to execute the Healthy Children\\rquote s Fund spending plan outlined in the memo (Staff Memo-Healthy Children\\rquote s Fund Balance and Spending Plan), though some details may need to be worked out later. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nScanlon explained that, given this information, he did not wish to make a motion.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nRienstra stated that she would like to withdraw amendment number five and speak in support of amendment number four to restore funding to the senior centers. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil discussed the Community Priorities Fund with Schott-Bresler and how much funding is available.\\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\b\\i Galloway moved\\b0\\i0  approval of amendment number four for the senior centers (in list of Councilmember Budget Amendments).\\par\r\n\\par\r\nBoyle seconded the motion.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nBennett Knox, Parks and Recreation Director, answered questions on whether the idea for a community entity that coordinates across senior centers is progressing and if there have been conversations with cities to see if they are considering funding options for senior centers. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncilmembers discussed the funding source for senior centers and where the support would come from after this biennium.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil and Schott-Bresler discussed a $2 million dollar proposed project for the Meridian School District that would affect the Community Priorities Fund balance. \\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\pard\\sa160 The motion carried by the following vote:\\par\r\n\\b Aye:\\b0  6 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler\\par\r\n\\b Nay\\b0 : 0\\par\r\n\\b Away:\\b0  1 - Elenbaas\\par\r\n\\par\r\nScanlon introduced budget amendment proposal number six, $100,000 for the Planning and Development Services fee study and budget amendment proposal number seven, $200,000 for development code review and update.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil discussed the fee study and code review with James Marks, Planning and Development Services (PDS) Director, including what will be included in the fee study and code update, how staff versus consultants will be involved, and when it makes sense to fund these items. \\par\r\n\\b\\i\\par\r\nScanlon moved\\b0\\i0  to support number six (in list of Councilmember Budget Amendments) at $100,000 from the Community Priorities Fund.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nGalloway seconded the motion.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nThe motion carried by the following vote:\\par\r\n\\b Aye:\\b0  5 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, and Scanlon\\par\r\n\\b Nay\\b0 : 2 - Elenbaas and Stremler\\par\r\n\\pard\\par\r\n\\pard\\sa160\\b\\i Scanlon moved\\b0\\i0  to support number seven (in list of Councilmember Budget Amendments) at $200,000 from the Community Priorities Fund.\\par\r\n\\pard\\par\r\nGalloway seconded the motion.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil discussed whether they can say yes to these amendments and retract their support later once they have considered all the potential uses of the fund.\\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\pard\\sa160\\b0 The motion carried by the following vote:\\par\r\n\\b Aye:\\b0  5 - Boyle, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, and Scanlon\\par\r\n\\b Nay\\b0 : 2 - Buchanan and Stremler\\par\r\n\\pard\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Councilmember Boyle introduced budget amendment proposal number eight to fund an additional attorney for the Prosecuting Attorney\\rquote s office.\\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Councilmembers discussed the motion including the importance of supporting the criminal justice system, adding an additional judge position, how to fund the attorney position after 2028, and whether to wait to have this conversation until after a new Prosecutor is elected.\\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Scanlon suggested taking no action on this proposal and reconsider this topic at the mid-biennium review.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil discussed budget amendment proposals number 13, 14, and 15 together since they all pertain to providing funding to the food bank.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nGalloway introduced budget amendment proposal number 13, which proposes using banked capacity in the Healthy Children\\rquote s Fund and allocating $400,000 per year from the Healthy Children\\rquote s Fund to the Food Bank Network. This approach would require a levy ordinance. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nElenbaas stated that his wife is on the board of the Blaine Food Bank and asked if that should affect his involvement in discussion and voting.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nThulin answered that since she does not get paid or directly benefit from funding provided to the food bank, Councilmember Elenbaas can participate in discussion and voting.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nRienstra introduced budget amendment proposal number 14, increasing funding to the Food Bank Network by $862,000 per year from Community Priorities Fund and General Fund.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncilmember Scanlon introduced budget amendment proposal number 15, increasing funding to the Food Bank Network by $150,000 per year from the Community Priorities Fund.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncilmembers and Thulin discussed the options including what would be involved in using Healthy Children\\rquote s Fund money and the role of local government in funding food banks.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil paused discussion on food bank funding and moved on to budget amendment number 18, which proposes restoring base funding to the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission. \\par\r\n\\par\r\nMiriam Karamoko, Chair of the Racial Equity Commission, spoke to the impacts of reduced funding to the Commission.  \\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil and Karamoko discussed the amendment including the plan for development of a fundraising strategy, strategies to fill vacant positions, and the historic funding of the Commission. \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Council recessed at 12:06 p.m. for lunch and returned at 1:04 p.m.\\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Council resumed discussion about increasing funding to the Food Bank Network (amendments number 13, 14, and 15) including the role of local government, the benefits of flexible funding for the food banks, and the challenges associated with using Healthy Children\\rquote s Fund dollars.\\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Thomaskutty answered questions on the Healthy Children\\rquote s Fund\\rquote s current contracts with food banks and shared the need to identify long-term stable solutions. \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Council, Thomaskutty, Schott-Bresler, and Simpson discussed the community need, where the Healthy Children\\rquote s Fund can be utilized, and the history of the County funding the food banks. \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Rydel overviewed the Community Priorities Fund and the impacts of Council proposals on the fund.\\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Council and Schott-Bresler discussed what funding amount for the food bank is appropriate and from which fund.\\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Council discussed how much money should be left in the Community Priorities Fund and how much money councilmembers want to allocate to the food banks.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil, Schott-Bresler, and Thomaskutty discussed the Healthy Children\\rquote s Fund balance, potentially funding the Meridian School District project through the Healthy Children\\rquote s Fund, and how much money in the Community Priorities Fun is able to be spent.\\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\b\\i Boyle moved\\b0\\i0  to hold conversations around support of the food bank until next week. That includes proposed amendments number 13, 14 and 15 (in list of Councilmember Budget Amendments). \\par\r\n\\par\r\nScanlon seconded the motion.\\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\pard\\sa160 The motion carried by the following vote:\\par\r\n\\b Aye:\\b0  5 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, and Scanlon\\par\r\n\\b Nay\\b0 : 2 - Elenbaas and Stremler\\par\r\n\\pard\\par\r\nScanlon introduced budget amendment proposals 16 and 17, which both propose to restore funding to the Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil and Schott-Bresler discussed the history of funding for the Commission and reasoning behind the proposed cut. \\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\b\\i Scanlon moved\\b0\\i0  to support amendment number 16 (in list of Councilmember Budget Amendments).\\par\r\n\\par\r\nGalloway seconded the motion.  \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\pard\\sa160\\b0 The motion carried by the following vote:\\par\r\n\\b Aye:\\b0  5 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, and Scanlon\\par\r\n\\b Nay\\b0 : 2 - Elenbaas and Stremler\\par\r\n\\pard\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Council resumed discussion on budget amendment proposal number 18 to restore base funding to the Racial Equity Commission.\\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Council, Schott-Bresler, and Rydel discussed the history of contracting with the Racial Equity Commission. \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\i Scanlon moved\\b0\\i0  to support amendment number 18 (in list of Councilmember Budget Amendments) at $25,000 of Community Priorities Fund only for 2027.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nBoyle seconded the motion.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil discussed the motion including how to off-ramp County support while the Commission looks for other funding and how to support the Commission in filling vacancies.\\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\pard\\sa160 The motion carried by the following vote:\\par\r\n\\b Aye:\\b0  5 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, and Scanlon\\par\r\n\\b Nay\\b0 : 2 - Elenbaas and Stremler\\par\r\n\\pard\\par\r\nScanlon introduced budget amendment proposal number 19, which proposes a pilot project to use Payment Lieu of Taxes (PILT) to support fire districts that carry out response operations on federally managed lands outside of their jurisdiction. \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\i Scanlon moved\\i0  \\b0 to support amendment number 19 (in list of Councilmember Budget Amendments).\\par\r\n\\par\r\nRienstra seconded the motion. \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Council and Steve Oliver, Treasurer, discussed the motion including increasing federal advocacy around PILT, how much funding the County receives from PILT, ways to pay for outdoor recreation related response activities, and whether search and rescue should also be compensated for their expenses related to response. \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Council discussed the timing for preparing ASRs and introducing a budget ordinance. \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\pard\\sa160\\b0 The motion carried by the following vote:\\par\r\n\\b Aye:\\b0  6 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Elenbaas \\par\r\n\\b Nay\\b0 : 1 - Stremler\\par\r\n\\pard\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Scanlon introduced budget amendment proposal number 20, allocating $50,000 from the Community Priorities Fund in 2027 to create a one-year project to design and launch a county budget and data system platform that reports on county goals and outcomes.\\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\i Scanlon moved\\i0  \\b0 to support amendment number 20 (in list of Councilmember Budget Amendments).\\par\r\n\\par\r\nBoyle seconded the motion.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nCouncil, Schott-Bresler, and Rydel discussed the motion including how much money this project would require, who would design and operate the project, and the how the budget and reporting software will help with transparency and accessibility. \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\pard\\sa160\\b0 The motion carried by the following vote:\\par\r\n\\b Aye:\\b0  7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, Elenbaas, and Stremler\\par\r\n\\b Nay\\b0 : 0\\par\r\n\\pard\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Council discussed who should be included in a subcommittee to work on this project.\\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\b\\i Galloway moved\\b0\\i0  to create a subcommittee comprised of Scanlon, Boyle, and Stremler for the budget data and transparency work.\\par\r\n\\par\r\nScanlon seconded the motion. \\par\r\n\\b\\par\r\n\\pard\\sa160\\b0 The motion carried by the following vote:\\par\r\n\\b Aye:\\b0  7 - Boyle, Buchanan, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, Elenbaas, and Stremler\\par\r\n\\b Nay\\b0 : 0\\par\r\n\\pard\\b\\par\r\n\\b0 Council and Schott-Bresler discussed the budget timeline going forward and the impacts to the Community Priorities Fund and General Fund of the approved motions.\\cf1\\f1\\par\r\n}\r\n","EventItemActionId":453,"EventItemActionName":"DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED","EventItemActionText":"This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED.","EventItemPassedFlag":null,"EventItemPassedFlagName":null,"EventItemRollCallFlag":0,"EventItemFlagExtra":0,"EventItemTitle":"Discussion of the County Executive’s recommended 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;\\red0\\green0\\blue0;}\r\n\\viewkind4\\uc1\\pard\\f0\\fs26 There were no agenda items added by revision.\\cf1\\par\r\n}\r\n","EventItemActionId":null,"EventItemActionName":null,"EventItemActionText":null,"EventItemPassedFlag":null,"EventItemPassedFlagName":null,"EventItemRollCallFlag":0,"EventItemFlagExtra":0,"EventItemTitle":"Items Added by 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\\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\fs24 ATTEST:\\tab\\tab           \\par\r\n                                                                      WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL\\par\r\n                                                                      WHATCOM COUNTY, WA\\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\par\r\n______________________________              ___________________________\\par\r\nKirsten Smith, Council Clerk                             \\fs26 Kaylee Galloway\\fs24 , Council Chair\\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\par\r\n\\par\r\nMeeting Minutes prepared by Kiana 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(This proposal is to fund four entry level deputy positions in the Sheriff's Office plus one deputy in training hired in July 2026.)","EventItemTally":null,"EventItemAccelaRecordId":null,"EventItemConsent":0,"EventItemMoverId":null,"EventItemMover":null,"EventItemSeconderId":null,"EventItemSeconder":null,"EventItemMatterId":null,"EventItemMatterGuid":null,"EventItemMatterFile":null,"EventItemMatterName":null,"EventItemMatterType":null,"EventItemMatterStatus":null,"EventItemMatterAttachments":[]},{"EventItemId":67955,"EventItemGuid":"5019D390-5157-408C-A6CB-A0369D95ED19","EventItemLastModifiedUtc":"2026-10-23T15:29:26.61","EventItemRowVersion":"AAAAAADhqUM=","EventItemEventId":3325,"EventItemAgendaSequence":null,"EventItemMinutesSequence":7,"EventItemAgendaNumber":null,"EventItemVideo":null,"EventItemVideoIndex":null,"EventItemVersion":null,"EventItemAgendaNote":null,"EventItemMinutesNote":null,"EventItemActionId":null,"EventItemActionName":null,"EventItemActionText":null,"EventItemPassedFlag":null,"EventItemPassedFlagName":null,"EventItemRollCallFlag":0,"EventItemFlagExtra":null,"EventItemTitle":"Motion approved to approve proposal number two (in the list of Councilmember Budget Amendments). 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That includes proposed amendments number 13, 14 and 15 (in the list of Councilmember Budget Amendments).","EventItemTally":null,"EventItemAccelaRecordId":null,"EventItemConsent":0,"EventItemMoverId":null,"EventItemMover":null,"EventItemSeconderId":null,"EventItemSeconder":null,"EventItemMatterId":null,"EventItemMatterGuid":null,"EventItemMatterFile":null,"EventItemMatterName":null,"EventItemMatterType":null,"EventItemMatterStatus":null,"EventItemMatterAttachments":[]},{"EventItemId":67960,"EventItemGuid":"40B85B16-1024-461B-A707-C7A94C5E82C7","EventItemLastModifiedUtc":"2026-10-20T23:20:34.213","EventItemRowVersion":"AAAAAADhaCM=","EventItemEventId":3325,"EventItemAgendaSequence":null,"EventItemMinutesSequence":12,"EventItemAgendaNumber":null,"EventItemVideo":null,"EventItemVideoIndex":null,"EventItemVersion":null,"EventItemAgendaNote":null,"EventItemMinutesNote":null,"EventItemActionId":null,"EventItemActionName":null,"EventItemActionText":null,"EventItemPassedFlag":null,"EventItemPassedFlagName":null,"EventItemRollCallFlag":0,"EventItemFlagExtra":null,"EventItemTitle":"Motion approved to support amendment number 16 (in the list of Councilmember Budget Amendments). (This proposal is to allocate $15,000 from the Community Priorities Fund to the Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence for 2027 and 2028.)","EventItemTally":null,"EventItemAccelaRecordId":null,"EventItemConsent":0,"EventItemMoverId":null,"EventItemMover":null,"EventItemSeconderId":null,"EventItemSeconder":null,"EventItemMatterId":null,"EventItemMatterGuid":null,"EventItemMatterFile":null,"EventItemMatterName":null,"EventItemMatterType":null,"EventItemMatterStatus":null,"EventItemMatterAttachments":[]},{"EventItemId":67961,"EventItemGuid":"5BBFD598-FCD6-4D75-ACF4-B4FC4F39CF8E","EventItemLastModifiedUtc":"2026-10-20T23:20:49.777","EventItemRowVersion":"AAAAAADhaC0=","EventItemEventId":3325,"EventItemAgendaSequence":null,"EventItemMinutesSequence":13,"EventItemAgendaNumber":null,"EventItemVideo":null,"EventItemVideoIndex":null,"EventItemVersion":null,"EventItemAgendaNote":null,"EventItemMinutesNote":null,"EventItemActionId":null,"EventItemActionName":null,"EventItemActionText":null,"EventItemPassedFlag":null,"EventItemPassedFlagName":null,"EventItemRollCallFlag":0,"EventItemFlagExtra":null,"EventItemTitle":"Motion approved to support amendment number 18 (in the list of Councilmember Budget Amendments) at $25,000 of Community Priorities Fund only for 2027. 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(This proposal is to allocate $50,000 from the Community Priorities Fund to create a project designing and launching a county budget and data system platform that reports on county goals and outcomes.)","EventItemTally":null,"EventItemAccelaRecordId":null,"EventItemConsent":0,"EventItemMoverId":null,"EventItemMover":null,"EventItemSeconderId":null,"EventItemSeconder":null,"EventItemMatterId":null,"EventItemMatterGuid":null,"EventItemMatterFile":null,"EventItemMatterName":null,"EventItemMatterType":null,"EventItemMatterStatus":null,"EventItemMatterAttachments":[]},{"EventItemId":67964,"EventItemGuid":"FD185E48-BBFC-4A4C-94FB-C0B40510C5CF","EventItemLastModifiedUtc":"2026-10-20T23:21:31.2","EventItemRowVersion":"AAAAAADhaEs=","EventItemEventId":3325,"EventItemAgendaSequence":null,"EventItemMinutesSequence":16,"EventItemAgendaNumber":null,"EventItemVideo":null,"EventItemVideoIndex":null,"EventItemVersion":null,"EventItemAgendaNote":null,"EventItemMinutesNote":null,"EventItemActionId":null,"EventItemActionName":null,"EventItemActionText":null,"EventItemPassedFlag":null,"EventItemPassedFlagName":null,"EventItemRollCallFlag":0,"EventItemFlagExtra":null,"EventItemTitle":"Motion approved to create a subcommittee comprised of Scanlon, Boyle, and Stremler for the budget data and transparency work.","EventItemTally":null,"EventItemAccelaRecordId":null,"EventItemConsent":0,"EventItemMoverId":null,"EventItemMover":null,"EventItemSeconderId":null,"EventItemSeconder":null,"EventItemMatterId":null,"EventItemMatterGuid":null,"EventItemMatterFile":null,"EventItemMatterName":null,"EventItemMatterType":null,"EventItemMatterStatus":null,"EventItemMatterAttachments":[]}]