This week

1. 13Tue.
   County spending, final votes County Council · final vote Led by $3.77M to raise 16 flood-prone homes. $4.36M of it passes in one consent vote unless a member pulls an item. Oct. 13 · County Council agendas

   What it means

   What it means: The flood item and a $585K shelter contract are on consent. The other $2.47M, for five sheriff's deputies and a diversion program, is discussed on its own. The question: The flood item averages about $236,000 a home. How were these 16 chosen, and how much of the cost does the county carry?
   Pays forElevating 16 flood-prone homes, 5 sheriff's deputies, a shelter contract $6.8Mflood item: about $236,000 per home elevated
2. 13Tue.
   County 2027–28 budget, first lookCounty Council finance committee · Discussion
3. 13Tue.
   Jail repayment splitCounty Council · DiscussionHow the County and its cities share repayment of the new jail.
4. 14Wed.
   Fire benefit charge Fire authority planning committee · Public hearing, 6 p.m.

   How to weigh in: speak at the hearing (6 p.m., City Council Chambers, in person only), or send written comments to fire@cob.org.

   The trade-offIf it passes, Finance estimates the City saves about $20M in 2028. If it fails, the $8M gap stays.Both sides, the timeline and the sources, on the watch list →
   Pays forCurrent fire and EMS service $375a year, median homeabout $31 a month
5. 14Wed.
   Greenways and Parks boards consider mergingCity advisory boards · Discussion, 7:30 a.m.
6. 14Wed.
   Regional transportation projectsWhatcom Council of Governments · Public hearing, 3:30 p.m.The region's 2027 transportation project list.
7. 15Thu.
   Planning CommissionCity Planning Commission · Meeting, 6 p.m.Agenda not posted yet.
8. 19Mon.
   City property tax levy City Council · Public hearing, 7 p.m.

   How to weigh in: sign up to speak at cob.org/ccsignup on the day, or send written comments to ccmail@cob.org.

   The trade-off1% is the most state law allows without a vote, and the City still faces an $8M gap.Both sides, the timeline and the sources, on the watch list →
   Pays forPolice, fire, EMS and other City services; Greenways, affordable housing, safety pensions +1%over the 2026 levy
9. 19Mon.
   The City's 2027 budget gap City staff briefing The trade-offIf the fire authority passes, Finance estimates the City saves about $20M in 2028.Both sides, the timeline and the sources, on the watch list →
   At stakePolice, fire/EMS, library, parks and planning services (about 40 positions), per deputy administrator $8Mgeneral fund
10. 19Mon.
    Ambulance ratesCity Council · Final voteOct. 19 · City Council agenda, AB 25081
    Pays forAmbulance transport, to cover costs the 2014 rates no longer meet+$200–368a transport
11. 19Mon.
    Police traffic equipment grantCity Council · Consent
    Pays forPolice traffic equipment$32,351federal grant
12. 19Mon.
    Home businessesCity Council · Final voteExpands home business uses and shortens permit review.Oct. 19 · City Council agenda, AB 25074
13. 19Mon.
    Comcast franchise, five more yearsCity Council · Final voteOct. 19 · City Council agenda, AB 25077
14. 19Mon.
    Two Barkley-area street vacationsCity Council · Final voteOct. 19 · City Council agenda, Burns St., AB 25096 · Rimland Dr., AB 25093
15. 19Mon.
    Three November ballot measuresCity Council · Public hearing, 7 p.m.Resolutions on measures on the Nov. 3 ballot.

    How to weigh in: sign up to speak at cob.org/ccsignup on the day, or send written comments to ccmail@cob.org.

    Oct. 19 · City Council agenda, AB 25088 · AB 25090 · AB 25091
16. 19Mon.
    Easement in vacated Otis StreetCity Council · Public hearing, 7 p.m.Oct. 19 · City Council agenda, AB 25086
17. 19Mon.
    Lake Whatcom private boat launch permitsPublic Works and Natural Resources Committee · IntroducedA new permit for private boat launches on Lake Whatcom, part of the aquatic invasive species rules.Oct. 19 · City Council agenda, AB 25104 · fees, AB 25102
    $60a permit, or free with a course
18. 22Thu.
    Stream buffersCounty Planning Commission · Workshop, time to be announcedPart of the critical areas rewrite.

Also happening

Public events this week that aren't decisions.

• 13Tue.

  Kratom sales ban takes effect. Bellingham, all day

• 14Wed.

  Middle housing walking tour. 2 p.m., Halleck St. & B St. Led by the City's planning director. Add to calendar

• 15Thu.

  New state housing laws, explained. 10 a.m., City Council Chambers. City staff walk through next year's code changes. Add to calendar

• 15Thu.

  County Council community conversation. 5 p.m., Deming Library. Two council members. Add to calendar

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