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 Whatcom County Courthouse
Welcome to the first issue of the Whatcom County Council Newsletter!
2025 is shaping up to be a busy year for the Council and the county as a whole due to the ongoing Comprehensive Plan Update, the once in a decade convening of the Charter Review Commission, and the development of several major capital projects, amongst all of the county's other regular work and responsibilities.
We are sharing this newsletter to help you track progress on these and other key topics and provide you with a more in-depth look at some of the most important items on Council's agenda.
Our goal in creating this newsletter is to highlight opportunities for you to get involved and share your perspective on the issues that matter most to you.
Thank you for taking the time to read this first issue. We are grateful to be part of such an incredible community.
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At the first meeting of each new year, County Council elects its leadership and determines membership on its five standing committees, as well as many other boards, commissions, and committees.
This year, Councilmembers elected Kaylee Galloway as County Council Chair. The position of chairperson comes with a number of powers. The chairperson serves as the Council’s representative on a variety of boards and committees, including the EDI Board, Law Library Board, SWISS Executive Committee, and County Finance Committee. In meetings, the chair is charged with preserving order, controlling and expediting debate, and determining all points of order.
"It's an honor to be appointed Council Chair by my colleagues," said Galloway. "Council has a lot of exciting work ahead, including the Comprehensive Plan update, Justice Project implementation, childcare investments, affordable housing and homelessness efforts, and more. I look forward to working with my fellow councilmembers to improve processes, broaden community engagement, and ensure accountability and transparency."
Councilmembers elected Jon Scanlon as Vice-Chairperson. This position is tasked with performing the duties and responsibilities of the Chair in their absence.
Todd Donovan was elected to serve as Executive Pro Tempore, a position charged with performing the duties of the County Executive in the event of an extended absence.
Councilmembers also determined membership and Council representation on over 30 local, state, and federal boards and commissions. See a complete list of membership at the link below.
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 Council Chair Kaylee Galloway
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 Council Vice-Chair Jon Scanlon
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 Charter Review Commissioners
The 2025 Charter Review Commission convened for their first meeting on Monday, January 6. The fifteen-member commission is elected every ten years to assess the charter’s suitability to the needs of the county, solicit feedback from community members, and propose potential amendments.
In Washington State, Whatcom County is one of only seven counties to operate under a home rule charter. Adopted by voters in 1978, the Whatcom County Charter is essentially the county’s constitution. It establishes the organizational structure of Whatcom County government, processes for elections, powers of elected officials, and procedures for initiative and referendum. The charter also describes the processes for its own review and amendment.
Whatcom County voters elected three commissioners from each of the five County Council districts at the last general election in November.
2025 Charter Review Commissioners:
District 1: Liz Darrow, Joel Pitts-Jordan, Andrew Reding
District 2: Eamonn Collins, Colton Kaltenfeldt, Maya Morales
District 3: Doug Chadwick, Jessica Rienstra, Jennifer Wright
District 4: Joe Elenbaas, Brad Kelly, Hannah Ordos
District 5: Lindsey Graham Elenbaas, Jon Mutchler, Rod Stump
At their first meeting, commissioners elected commission convener, Liz Darrow of District 1, chair, with Jennifer Wright of District 3 selected for the position of vice-chair.
Any commissioner is allowed to propose amendments to the charter, and a simple majority vote is required to move a proposed amendment onto a subsequent meeting agenda for discussion. Per the charter, any amendment proposed by a commission member must be approved by a supermajority (10 votes) of commissioners in order to be filed with the County Council and submitted to voters for consideration at the next general election.
At their next meeting, which will be on Thursday, February 13 at the Lynden Library, commissioners will discuss and hear feedback from community members on the following potential amendments:
- Require the Convener to Determine Rules for Initial Charter Review Meeting
- Make Prosecuting Attorney a Non-Partisan Office
- Change Required Number of Referendum or Charter Amendment Signatures to Percentage of Votes Cast at Last County Executive Election
Regular commission meetings are scheduled at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of every month through July. Commission meetings will be held in various locations throughout the county in order to ensure community members from all five districts have an opportunity to participate. Potential meeting locations include public libraries in Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, and Deming, as well as the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center. All regularly scheduled meetings are open to the public and include scheduled time for public comment. Community members are encouraged to attend in person or join remotely to provide feedback and engage in this important process.
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 Charter Review Commission Vice-Chair Jennifer Wright and Chair Liz Darrow
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 Charter Review Commissioners listen to public comment at their meeting on January 6
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County Council recently approved a three-year lease agreement between Whatcom County and Swinomish Tribe's didgʷálič Wellness Center for office space at 2028 Division Street in Bellingham. Didgʷálič plans to use this space to provide mobile medication and clinical behavioral health services for individuals suffering from substance use disorders and behavioral health issues. The Division Street location will become a new satellite facility for didgʷálič Wellness Center, which operates primarily out of Anacortes. The didgʷálič service model focuses on providing individualized care to help “sustain a life of recovery.”
Addressing fentanyl and substance use disorder in Whatcom County remains a key Council and county priority. Last year, Council approved resolutions requesting the Governor and President make emergency declarations to raise awareness of the fentanyl crisis, increase coordination between governments and agencies, and release additional funding sources. Council also approved Resolution 2024-017, identifying approaches to the fentanyl emergency in Whatcom County. Soon after, the County Executive published an Executive Order laying out the county's steps for prevention, intervention, and treatment.
"The Council, Executive, and staff have worked hard on this issue. Following the approval of the resolution and executive order, Health and Community Services moved swiftly to carry out the action plan," Councilmember Barry Buchanan said. "Mayor Lund and the City of Bellingham have been strong partners in this work as well."
At the first Public Works and Health Committee meeting of 2025, Councilmembers heard an update from Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) staff regarding the County's progress combating the fentanyl in Whatcom County. According to the presentation, overdose-related emergency room visits are down overall, and deaths from overdose appear to have decreased in 2024 compared to 2023. WCHCS says they are "cautiously optimistic" about the numbers they are seeing, though work remains to be done.
In addition to welcoming expanded services from didgʷálič Wellness Center, WCHCS reported a number of other progress points in their work to address fentanyl in Whatcom County, including a grant-funded opioid prevention and education campaign, the installation of a naloxone vending machine and free naloxone kits, the opening of the Way Station with its ability to provide medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) services, and the embedding of a substance use disorder professional at the emergency department. Going forward, WCHCS will continue work to develop metrics for success and monitor progress.
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 Volunteers Needed!
Did you know that Whatcom County has over 50 boards, commissions, committees, and task forces? These advisory groups provide an invaluable service to the county by advising the County Council and County Executive on a wide array of topics such as criminal justice, economic development, agriculture, parks and recreation, natural resources, land-use planning, and more. Policymakers rely on the wide breadth of experience and expertise offered by volunteer advisory group members in order to make informed, community-based decisions about important issues impacting our county.
Councilmember Mark Stremler believes advisory groups are an essential tool for the administration and County Council to stay informed about issues impacting the county. "Their hands-on experience gives me insight into the issues we are all facing," Stremler said. "Participating in an advisory group is a way to have a voice and represent your community. It requires a small time commitment with impactful benefits for us all."
At their first meeting of 2025, Council appointed and confirmed over 50 new members to over 20 advisory groups. However, there are still vacancies on some key boards, commissions, and committees. If you are interested in volunteering and contributing your unique perspective to one of these county advisory groups, apply at the link below.
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 Mark your calendars!
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Regular County Council and Committee Meeting Dates:
- February 11 and 25
- March 11 and 25
- April 15 and 29
- May 13 and 27
- June 10 and 24
- July 8 and 22
- August 6 (Wednesday)
- September 9 and 23
- October 7 and 21
- November 5 (Wednesday) and 18
- December 9
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Special Committee of the Whole
(begins at 9 a.m.)
Health Board:
(begins at 10 a.m.)
- April 1
- July 29
- September 16
- October 28
- December 2
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Thank you for taking the time to read the Council Newsletter. We are grateful for the opportunity share our work and serve this community.
Email councilinfo@co.whatcom.wa.us with questions or feedback on this newsletter.
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