The Tallyhttps://thetallynews.com/What Bellingham and Whatcom County governments decide, what it costs and where it stands, counted from public records. Every number links to its source.en-usSat, 07 Nov 2026 16:30:04 +0000https://thetallynews.com/mark.pngThe Tallyhttps://thetallynews.com/ Bellingham plans to offer about $4.5 million for housing and social services in 2027https://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-housing-and-social-services-grants-2027https://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-housing-and-social-services-grants-2027Sat, 07 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryHousing · BellinghamBellingham is preparing to offer about $4.5 million in grants for housing help and social services in 2027. The Port of Bellingham holds a hearing Nov. 12 on borrowing up to $41.7 millionhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/port-of-bellingham-bond-hearing-up-to-41-millionhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/port-of-bellingham-bond-hearing-up-to-41-millionSat, 07 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryMoney · BellinghamThe Port of Bellingham may borrow up to $41.7 million by selling tax-exempt bonds. Bellingham's school board may vote Nov. 12 on closing two elementary schoolshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-school-board-vote-closing-two-elementary-schoolshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-school-board-vote-closing-two-elementary-schoolsSat, 07 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryMoney · BellinghamBellingham Public Schools is considering closing Columbia and Carl Cozier elementary schools after this school year. Bellingham and Olympia weigh closing elementary schools as enrollment falls. Marysville already did.https://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-elementary-school-closures-bellingham-olympia-marysvillehttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-elementary-school-closures-bellingham-olympia-marysvilleSat, 07 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 16 · MoneyIn each district below, enrollment fell, and state school money, which follows students, fell with it. Each looked at closing buildings to save money. A Bellingham board votes Nov. 10 on removing some parking on Holly Street downtownhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-holly-street-parking-removal-votehttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-holly-street-parking-removal-voteFri, 06 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryTransport · BellinghamBellingham's Transportation Commission votes Nov. 10 on removing parking along parts of Holly Street. Whatcom County may lend $1 million toward 64 affordable apartments in Bellinghamhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-county-unity-street-affordable-homes-loanhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-county-unity-street-affordable-homes-loanFri, 06 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryHousing · Whatcom CountyWhatcom County may lend $1 million toward 64 affordable rental homes in Bellingham. Cities pay the county to hold the people they arrest, and the deals differhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-city-jail-costs-county-dealshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-city-jail-costs-county-dealsTue, 03 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 7 · MoneyA county runs the jail. Cities send it the people their police arrest. Lynden voters are rejecting a property tax increase for police, fire and city staffhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/lynden-property-tax-increase-police-fire-election-counthttps://thetallynews.com/stories/lynden-property-tax-increase-police-fire-election-countThu, 05 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryMoney · LyndenLynden voters are turning down a property tax increase in the unofficial count from the Nov. 3 election. Three Washington places asked voters Nov. 3 to raise property tax past the yearly limithttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-property-tax-levy-lid-lifts-lynden-fire-districtshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-property-tax-levy-lid-lifts-lynden-fire-districtsThu, 05 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 15 · MoneyEach place below asked voters to let it collect more property tax than the state's yearly limit allows. Bellingham weighs permits for private Lake Whatcom launches; other lakes check boats insteadhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-lake-boat-inspection-permits-and-checkshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-lake-boat-inspection-permits-and-checksMon, 02 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 13 · EnvironmentLakes trying to keep out invasive mussels choose how strict to be at the launch: voluntary checks, required inspections, or permits. Bellingham may extend its temporary housing rules; other cities renew theirs the same wayhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-temporary-housing-rules-renewalshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-temporary-housing-rules-renewalsSun, 01 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 11 · HousingWashington cities often meet new state housing laws with temporary zoning rules, then renew them while they write permanent ones. The County Council made its first 11 changes to the 2027-2028 budget, and the budget itself is still not adoptedhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-county-2027-28-budget-first-amendmentshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-county-2027-28-budget-first-amendmentsWed, 28 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryMoney · Whatcom CountyOn Oct. 20, the County Council held a special meeting on the County Executive's recommended 2027-2028 budget. The draft minutes record 11 approved changes. Fire District 1 asks again for the levy that failed by 124 votes in Augusthttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-fire-district-1-levy-second-tryhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-fire-district-1-levy-second-tryFri, 16 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryHealth & safety · Fire District 1 (Everson, Nooksack area)Prop. 2026-08 would raise the district's fire levy to $1.48 per $1,000 of assessed value, from $1.12 now. State Supreme Court weighs a $200 cap on most misdemeanor bail; hearing Nov. 10https://thetallynews.com/stories/washington-supreme-court-misdemeanor-bail-cap-hearinghttps://thetallynews.com/stories/washington-supreme-court-misdemeanor-bail-cap-hearingTue, 03 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700StorySafety · WashingtonWashington's Supreme Court holds a hearing Nov. 10 on new rules for bail before trial. Comcast will cut 159 Washington jobs starting Dec. 31, including some in Bellinghamhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/comcast-layoffs-washington-and-bellinghamhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/comcast-layoffs-washington-and-bellinghamTue, 03 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryMoney · BellinghamComcast told the state it will lay off 159 Washington workers, starting Dec. 31. Washington weighs a $200 bail cap; New Jersey and Illinois already cut cash bailhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-cash-bail-limits-washington-new-jersey-illinoishttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-cash-bail-limits-washington-new-jersey-illinoisTue, 03 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 14 · Health & safetySeveral places have limited cash bail, so fewer people wait in jail before trial only because they cannot pay. Bellingham's shelter moves to every night; nearby places choose every night or cold nights onlyhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-winter-shelter-models-every-night-or-cold-nightshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-winter-shelter-models-every-night-or-cold-nightsMon, 02 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 12 · HousingPlaces that shelter people in winter use one of two models: open every night all season, or open only when the forecast turns cold. Blaine gets $66.4 million to lift Bell Road over the train trackshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/blaine-bell-road-rail-overpass-granthttps://thetallynews.com/stories/blaine-bell-road-rail-overpass-grantSun, 01 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryTransport · BlaineBlaine will get $66.4 million in federal money to build an overpass at the Bell Road rail crossing, the area's member of Congress announced Oct. 29. Whatcom County now allows a cannabis store in one Guide Meridian industrial areahttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-retail-cannabis-store-guide-meridianhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-retail-cannabis-store-guide-meridianSat, 31 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryHousing · Whatcom CountyThe County Council changed its zoning rules Oct. 27 to allow a cannabis store in one industrial area on the Guide Meridian, the draft minutes record. Whatcom County approves its updated disaster plan, which federal prevention grants requirehttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-natural-hazards-mitigation-plan-2026https://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-natural-hazards-mitigation-plan-2026Sat, 31 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryEnvironment · Whatcom CountyThe County Council approved an updated plan for cutting disaster losses on Oct. 27, 7 to 0, the draft minutes record. Blaine pauses data centers and battery storage for a year; other Washington places did toohttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-data-center-and-battery-storage-pauseshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-data-center-and-battery-storage-pausesSat, 31 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 10 · EnvironmentBlaine and several other Washington governments have paused new data centers while they write rules for them. Sumas is choosing how to cut its flood risk, and residents can weigh in Oct. 29https://thetallynews.com/stories/sumas-flood-risk-reduction-planhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/sumas-flood-risk-reduction-planWed, 28 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryEnvironment · Sumas and Whatcom CountyThe 2021 flood put more than 3 feet of water on Sumas's main street and caused more than $150 million in damage, a County planning document says. Bellingham plans a tiny home village for 2027; other cities show what running one costshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-tiny-home-village-costshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-tiny-home-village-costsFri, 30 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 9 · HousingBellingham is building a village of 35 to 40 tiny homes for people without housing, at 2140 Division Street. Lynden teachers set an Oct. 28 strike datehttps://thetallynews.com/stories/lynden-school-district-teacher-strike-datehttps://thetallynews.com/stories/lynden-school-district-teacher-strike-dateThu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryMoney · Lynden School DistrictLynden School District educators authorized a strike that would start Wed. Oct. 28 if there is no contract. Vote Oct. 13, no contract since Sept. 1. Lynden holds off on Homestead's water rights while the golf course's new owner files its own claimhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/lynden-homestead-water-rights-and-fee-refundshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/lynden-homestead-water-rights-and-fee-refundsWed, 28 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryEnvironment · LyndenLynden wants to keep the water rights tied to the Homestead neighborhood and its closed golf course. Starting with 2027 tax bills, more Whatcom seniors and people with disabilities can pay less property taxhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-senior-disability-property-tax-exemptionhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-senior-disability-property-tax-exemptionWed, 28 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 8 · MoneyWashington cuts property taxes for some older homeowners and homeowners with disabilities whose income is under a set limit. State commission suspends the $7,500 and $75,000 limits on late campaign contributionshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/pdc-suspends-pre-election-contribution-limitshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/pdc-suspends-pre-election-contribution-limitsTue, 27 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryMoney · Washington StateThe state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) adopted an interpretive statement on Oct. 22 and says it will immediately suspend enforcement of the law that… The Port's 2027 budget was on the Oct. 20 agenda, and neither its levy request nor its lease terms are on the record yethttps://thetallynews.com/stories/port-of-bellingham-2027-budget-presentationhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/port-of-bellingham-2027-budget-presentationSun, 18 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryMoney · Port of BellinghamThe 2027 budget was on the agenda for the Port of Bellingham Commission's Tue., Oct. 20 meeting at 4 p.m. (1801 Roeder Ave., also on Zoom and YouTube). County winter shelter contract with Road2Homehttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-county-winter-shelter-contracthttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-county-winter-shelter-contractThu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryHousing · Whatcom CountyThe Finance and Administration Committee of the Whatcom County Council approved a Road2Home contract for a winter overnight shelter in Bellingham on Oct. 13. Two Whatcom areas are nominated for a second round of federal Opportunity Zones, downtown Bellingham's tract and Lummi Nation's Salish Villagehttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-opportunity-zones-second-roundhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-opportunity-zones-second-roundSun, 18 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryMoney · Downtown Bellingham and Lummi NationOn Oct. 8 the Governor announced 99 Washington areas nominated as Opportunity Zones, out of 152 applications. Capped at 1%, budgets across the state are choosing cuts, saved-up tax room or the ballothttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-one-percent-cap-local-budgetshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-one-percent-cap-local-budgetsFri, 16 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 4 · MoneyState law lets most cities and counties grow their property tax collections 1% a year without a vote. Police drones flew 143 times in their first 8 flying days, and the log doesn't show how often they got there firsthttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-police-drones-first-eight-flying-dayshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-police-drones-first-eight-flying-daysFri, 16 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StorySafety · Bellingham and Puget SoundBellingham's drones logged 81 flights from Oct. 12 through Oct. 15, up from 62 in the program's first four days, for 143 since launch Oct. 6. A failing 60-year-old water main near Cherry Point puts at least $60M on PUD water billshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-pud-cherry-point-water-mainhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-pud-cherry-point-water-mainFri, 16 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryUtilities · Whatcom County PUDThe PUD found deterioration at 12 of 13 exposed joints on its 24-inch Douglas Road raw-water line, built in the mid-1960s, and determined it can't be repaired… How fire and ambulance service gets paid for is changing across the regionhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-fire-and-ambulance-fundinghttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-fire-and-ambulance-fundingFri, 16 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 6 · Health & safetyFire and EMS used to come out of a city's general fund or a fire district's property tax. The state gave local governments new taxes, and for one of them the first to act keeps ithttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-new-local-taxes-first-to-acthttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-new-local-taxes-first-to-actFri, 16 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 5 · MoneyIn 2025 and 2026 the Legislature let cities and counties add small taxes without a public vote. Ambulance fees rise $200 to $368 to cover costs the 2014 rates no longer meethttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-ambulance-fee-increasehttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-ambulance-fee-increaseMon, 12 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryHealth & safety · BellinghamThe City Council passed new Bellingham Fire ambulance rates on first and second reading Oct. 5, 7-0 (AB 25081). Police drones flew 62 times in their first four dayshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-police-drones-first-four-dayshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-police-drones-first-four-daysMon, 12 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StorySafety · Bellingham and statewideBellingham's drone program started answering 911 calls Oct. 6, from three bases. Same product, different punishment, depending on the cityhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-kratom-ban-penalties-by-cityhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-kratom-ban-penalties-by-cityMon, 12 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryHealth & safety · Bellingham and statewideStarting Tuesday, selling kratom or 7-OH inside Bellingham is a gross misdemeanor. Buying and using it stays legal. The board that redraws city lines is missing two membershttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-boundary-review-board-vacancieshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-boundary-review-board-vacanciesMon, 12 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryWho decides · Whatcom CountyTwo of the five seats on Whatcom's Boundary Review Board are empty: the mayors' seat and the special districts' seat. Rural Whatcom's stream and wetland rules get their 10-year rewritehttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-critical-areas-stream-and-wetland-ruleshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-critical-areas-stream-and-wetland-rulesMon, 12 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryEnvironment · Whatcom CountyThe County is updating its critical areas rules for the first time since 2017. Lummi Island's new ferry is close to going out to bidhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/lummi-island-ferry-replacement-bidhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/lummi-island-ferry-replacement-bidMon, 12 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryTransport · Lummi IslandCounty Public Works asks the Council to move $300,000 of ferry surcharge money into the Lummi Island ferry replacement fund (AB2026-735). Bellingham's wetland bank, 10 years in the making, sets a 2027 openinghttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-wetland-mitigation-bankhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/bellingham-wetland-mitigation-bankMon, 12 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryEnvironment · BellinghamThe City asked the Council on Oct. 5 to let the Mayor sign the agreement that creates the Bellingham Mitigation Bank, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers… Utility reviews now run on the permit clock toohttps://thetallynews.com/stories/washington-utility-reviews-permit-clockhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/washington-utility-reviews-permit-clockMon, 12 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryHousing · Statewide, landing locallySince June 11 (HB 2418), water and sewer districts and other agencies that review a housing permit face the same deadlines as the city, and owe the applicant… Weigh in on regional transportation through 2050https://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-regional-transportation-plan-2050https://thetallynews.com/stories/whatcom-regional-transportation-plan-2050Mon, 12 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryTransport · Whatcom CountyWCOG's survey for its long-range transportation plan is open at wcog.org/rtp2050. Shelters wherever homes are allowedhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/washington-shelters-allowed-where-homes-arehttps://thetallynews.com/stories/washington-shelters-allowed-where-homes-areMon, 12 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700StoryHousing · Statewide, landing locallyA state law in effect since June 11 (HB 2266) requires cities to allow transitional and permanent supportive housing wherever homes or hotels are allowed, and… The citizen boards are being rearrangedhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-citizen-boards-rearrangedhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-citizen-boards-rearrangedMon, 12 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 3 · PowerThree recent changes touch the volunteer boards where residents sit inside a decision before it's made. Who provides your services is being redrawnhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-who-provides-local-serviceshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-who-provides-local-servicesMon, 12 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 1 · Growth & boundariesFour places are changing who provides a public service, and each change moves who pays and who answers for it. The state is writing more of the local rulebookhttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-state-writing-local-ruleshttps://thetallynews.com/stories/connection-state-writing-local-rulesMon, 12 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700ConnectionConnection 2 · State & localThe state is setting more of the rules local councils used to set.