Bellingham's 2027 budget

City of Bellingham

Hearings under way

The City's spending plan for 2027, with an $8M general fund gap and a proposed 1% levy increase. Next: Budget adoption is expected in December. On Nov. 2 the Council held the second budget hearing, with no vote due. It passed the 2027 levy ordinance (a $312,634, 1% increase) on first and second reading, 7-0 (City Action Summary). The Oct. 19 revenue and levy hearing was held with no action (City Action Summary).

What we get, the trade-off, what's next

What we get

The City's general services for 2027: police, fire, EMS, library, parks, planning and the rest, plus voter-approved Greenways, affordable housing and safety pensions.

What it costs

+1% levy over 2026

The proposed levy is 1% over 2026, the most state law allows without a vote, plus new construction. The proposed budget covers an $8M general fund gap from reserves. The levy ordinance on the Nov. 2 agenda adds $312,634 to a 2026 regular levy of $32,630,691 and sets the 2027 regular levy at $33,351,794. The preliminary 2027 budget totals $543 million, $138 million of it general fund.

The trade-off

Without it: The deputy administrator's memo says closing the $8M gap without reserves takes about 40 more positions, including a basic life support ambulance and police officers. If the fire authority passes, Finance estimates the City saves about $20M in 2028.

Timeline

Sept. 28Mayor's proposed budget to the Council
Oct. 5First public hearing
Oct. 19Public hearing on 2027 revenue, including the levy: held, information only, no action (City Action Summary)
Nov. 2Second public hearing on the 2027 budget: held, information only, 12 people spoke. Levy ordinance: passed first and second reading, 7-0 (City Action Summary)
By Nov. 30Levy ordinance must pass
DecemberBudget adoption expected

How to weigh in: Send written comments to ccmail@cob.org, or sign up to speak at cob.org/ccsignup when the levy ordinance is on an agenda.

The question: What does 1% add for a median Bellingham home, and how much of the $8M gap does it cover?

Levy agenda bill, AB 25092 · Deputy administrator's memo · Levy ordinance, AB 25121, and budget hearing, AB 25108 (Nov. 2) · Connection 8: the senior and disability property tax exemption

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