WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN The Whatcom County Council adopted the following at its July 28, 2026 meeting: ORDINANCE (2026-035) GRANTING FORGED FIBER 37, LLC A NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE FOR THE PROVISION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES (AB2026-461) This ordinance grants a ten (10) year non-exclusive franchise and the right of entry, use, and occupation of those public Rights-of-Way within the County, expressly to install, construct, erect, operate, maintain, repair, relocate and remove grantee facilities in, on, along and/or across those Rights-of-Way to Forged Fiber 37, LLC for the provision of telecommunications services in unincorporated Whatcom County per the terms of the franchise agreement. Ordinance introduced June 23, 2026. RESOLUTION (2026-030) ESTABLISHING A NEW WHATCOM COUNTY FERRY DISTRICT FUND (COUNCIL ACTING AS THE WHATCOM COUNTY FERRY DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS) (AB2026-520): This resolution establishes a new Ferry District Fund, which will become operative beginning January 1, 2027, to account for revenues, including but not limited to property tax levied under RCW 36.54.130, and expenditures authorized under RCW 36.54 and by resolution or budget of the Board of Supervisors. Resolution introduced July 14, 2026. RESOLUTION (2026-031) ESTABLISHING AN INITIAL BUDGET LEVEL FOR THE WHATCOM COUNTY FERRY DISTRICT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5.7 MILLION (COUNCIL ACTING AS THE WHATCOM COUNTY FERRY DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS) (AB2026-552): This resolution establishes an initial net budget levy for the Whatcom County Ferry District of $5.7 million. Resolution introduced July 14, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-036) ADDING THE FERRY DISTRICT FUNDS AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 10.34 FERRY RATES (AB2026-524): This ordinance amends Whatcom County Code 10.34 Ferry Rates to reflect the new fund and governing body of the Whatcom County Ferry District established May 18, 2026. Ordinance introduced July 14, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-037) ADDING THE FERRY DISTRICT FUNDS AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 10.36.060, FERRY MULTI-RIDE CARDS AND QUARTERLY PASSES, REPLACEMENT APPEAL PROCEDURE (AB2026-525): This ordinance amends Whatcom County Code 10.36.060, Ferry Multi-Ride Cards and Quarterly Passes, Replacement Appeal Procedure to reflect the new role of the Ferry District Board of Supervisors. Ordinance introduced July 14, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-038) ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND FOOTHILLS SUBAREA PLAN FOR THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT PERIODIC REVIEW AND UPDATE (FOR CONCURRENT REVIEW WITH OTHER COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT PROPOSALS) (AB2026-553): This ordinance adopts amendments to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan, including urban growth area (UGA) boundary changes, as part of the periodic update required by the Growth Management Act (36.70A.130). This ordinance will be considered concurrently with other related proposals. Ordinance introduced July 14, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-039) ADOPTING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE TITLE 20 DEVELOPMENT REGULATION AMENDMENTS RELATING TO PERIODIC UPDATE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT (FOR CONCURRENT REVIEW WITH OTHER COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT PROPOSALS) (AB2026-489): This ordinance adopts Whatcom County Code Title 20 development regulation amendments related to periodic update requirements under the Growth Management Act. This ordinance will be considered concurrently with other related proposals. Ordinance introduced June 23, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-040) ADOPTING WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING MAP AMENDMENTS RELATING TO PERIODIC UPDATE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT (FOR CONCURRENT REVIEW WITH OTHER COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT PROPOSALS) (AB2026-490): This ordinance adopts amendments to Whatcom County's zoning map in relation to periodic update requirements under the Growth Management Act. This ordinance will be considered concurrently with other related proposals. Ordinance introduced June 23, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-041) AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 16.20, WHATCOM COUNTY SHELLFISH PROTECTION DISTRICTS (AB2026-526): This ordinance amends Whatcom County Code 16.20, Shellfish Protection Districts, to dissolve the Birch Bay Shellfish Protection District, create a single Shellfish Protection Advisory Committee, provide new criteria for the dissolution of districts, and makes minor administrative revisions. Ordinance introduced July 14, 2026. RESOLUTION (2026-032) AMENDING THE 2026 FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT AND SUBZONES BUDGET, REQUEST NO. 4, IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,830 (COUNCIL ACTING AS THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS) (AB2026-508): This ordinance amends the 2026 Flood Control Zone District and Subzones Budget to record $34,830 in revenue in River & Flood. Ordinance introduced July 14, 2026. ORDINANCE 2026-042) CLOSING THE CENTRAL PLAZA TENANT IMPROVEMENT FUND (AB2026-530): This ordinance closes the Central Plaza Tenant Improvement Fund and returns remaining funds of $192,987 to the Real Estate Excise Tax Fund I. Ordinance introduced July 14, 2026. ORDINANCE (2026-043) AMENDING THE 2026 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, REQUEST NO. 10, IN THE AMOUNT OF $252,250 (AB2026-534): This ordinance amends the 2026 Whatcom County budget as follows: From the General Fund: appropriate $93,500 in What-Comm 911 to fund grant pass-through to What-Comm. From the Real Estate Excise Tax I: appropriate $50,000 in Facilities to fund first floor improvements to the Central Plaza Building. From the Road Fund: appropriate $33,750 in Public Works to fund repair for live load hanger bars (companion to SBR 5477 Gooseberry PT live load hanger bars, which provides the 45% Road Fund contribution). From the Ferry System Fund: appropriate $75,000 in Public Works to fund repair for live load hanger bars (companion to SBR 5477 Gooseberry PT live load hanger bars, which provides the 45% Ferry Fund contribution). Ordinance introduced July 14, 2026. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL ACTION PROPOSED (INTRODUCED) The Whatcom County Council will consider adopting and may amend the following at its 6 p.m. meeting on August 11, 2026 or at a later date: ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 24.03, FOOD SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS (AB2026-559): This ordinance amends Whatcom County Code 24.03, Food Service Rules and Regulations to update references and definitions, remove outdated language, and amend permit suspension language to support a more educational and less punitive approach for retail food establishment regulation. Ordinance introduced July 28, 2026. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SALES TAX FUND - RCW 82.14.345 AND ESTABLISHING AN INITIAL BUDGET FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SALES TAX FUND - RCW 82.14.345 (AB2026-580): This ordinance establishes the Criminal Justice Sales Tax Fund – RCW 82.14.345 with an initial budget of $3,658,280 to track and account for revenues and expenditures in accordance with Whatcom County Code 3.27. Ordinance introduced July 28, 2026. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2026 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, REQUEST NO. 11, IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,658,280 (AB2026-581): This ordinance amends the 2026 Whatcom County budget to record $3,658,280 in Non-Departmental of proceeds from the new Criminal Justice Sales Tax special revenue fund for jail food and medical operating expenditures. Ordinance introduced July 28, 2026. Public documents are available for review weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Council Office, 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 105, Bellingham and at whatcomcounty.us/council. View meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, videos, documents and archives at whatcom.legistar.com. The Council is currently holding hybrid meetings, which can be attended either in person or remotely. Full Council meetings begin at 6 p.m. (unless otherwise announced) in the Council Chambers at 311 Grand Avenue. Instructions for remote participation can be found at www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil or by contacting the Council Office at 360-778-5010. The Council Chambers is handicapped accessible. People with special needs who will be attending Council meetings are asked to contact the Council Office (360-778-5010) at least 96 hours in advance. IPL0362445 Aug 2 2026