Charter amendments 2026-06 and 2026-07
Bellingham votersTwo Bellingham charter amendments: Prop. 2026-06 lets the salary commission set the mayor's pay; Prop. 2026-07 lets a designee sign City contracts and allows electronic signatures. Next: Check back for the result. The County certifies the Nov. 3 election on Nov. 24.
What we get, the trade-off, what's next
What we get
Prop. 2026-06 deletes the charter rule that the mayor's salary can never be lower than the highest-paid City official or employee, and gives the existing independent salary commission (which already sets Council pay) the job of setting it. Prop. 2026-07 lets the mayor name a designee to sign contracts and drops the requirement that the Finance Director attest signatures and physically affix the City seal to every contract, which the City says allows electronic signatures and matches federal and state contracting practice.
What it costs
Neither resolution cites a cost. Today City code sets the mayor's salary at 5% above the highest-paid department head (Resolution 2026-17). The mayor earns just under $237,000 a year (Cascadia Daily News).
The trade-off
If it passes: For 2026-06, the City Attorney's explanatory statement says market-driven raises for employees would no longer automatically raise the mayor's pay; the salary commission would set it through procedures the Council adopts by a later ordinance. Cascadia Daily News reports a municipal code change would also be needed. For 2026-07, a designee could sign and electronic signatures would be allowed.
If it fails: The current rules stay: the mayor earns at least as much as the highest-paid City employee, and the mayor signs contracts with the Finance Director attesting (Charter 5.02).
Timeline
- July 13Council sends both to voters (Resolutions 2026-16 and 2026-17; AB 24977, AB 24978)
- Aug. 3City Attorney files ballot titles and explanatory statements
- Sept. 28Council hearings; resolutions supporting both adopted unanimously (AB 25069, AB 25070)
- Nov. 3Election
How to weigh in: Vote by Nov. 3. The Council's public hearings were held Sept. 28.
The question: What process and timeline would the salary commission use to set the mayor's pay, and what would the starting salary be?
Prop. 2026-06 explanatory statement · Resolution 2026-17 (mayor's salary) · City Charter 5.02 (contracts)
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