[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6227624,"mediaKeyId","3489256-99cd4528ffc598ffd11043a1c3c2920d","parentId",3489256,"title","Commission schedules full discussion, vote on ranked‑choice and related council structure amendments for June 12 amid heated public comment","audioSeconds",1058,"startMs",1445000,"endMs",2503000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3489256-99cd4528ffc598ffd11043a1c3c2920d&start=1445&end=2503","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3489256-99cd4528ffc598ffd11043a1c3c2920d/thumbnail_1445000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6227624/Whatcom-County/Washington/Commission-schedules-full-discussion-vote-on-rankedchoice-and-related-council-structure-amendments-for-June-12-amid-heated-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227624-9016332320815806b2991dca30efa0bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991515&Signature=RMD0KRa45BUINEEJDziBHYt3h-hdgF5V70SyCKplg5uZRsIkfA8yEtajQv3M8Edu8QISnjM9Htx9ue43JqU9ijbtByOqZvYme-pRZ0055iFuJoTRgrNpD5XqdQl7Nk~a1fiRaVIovZG7XpTcx8HGvk5NMAcj5YbZcEYwSjf95WeqD0YqhFFwHzwGn1mCi5Y1kEBBzOI~Y804ULAp56JBY8xuIoGb89UD82yWN8sDf1D4KtJN2ApOXL490jpuHSZlwU7mzsrap2ku4UkkvrUi1YRo6m9RJPJE9eu51PXSLJg~tm8HWJJ8jSq7-amD0Z6-pej49mLH0fQoFTc1rTsvlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Whatcom County, WA","date","2025-05-24T07:10:17.383Z","article","The Charter Review Commission set June 12 for a full discussion and vote on proposed Amendment 31, a package that includes ranked‑choice voting and changes to council composition. The item drew the most sustained public comment at the meeting, with speakers both urging adoption and warning of negative effects.

Public commenters expressed a wide range of views. Supporters argued ranked‑choice voting could broaden representation and encourage cooperation; one caller said, “Let’s let the voters decide,” urging the commission to place the measure on the ballot. Opponents raised concerns about cost, complexity and effects on minority voters, citing research they said raised caution about the method’s outcomes and possible increased ballot exhaustion. Several commenters said they had collected or reviewed dozens of emails showing local opposition and urged commissioners to consider the scope and format of ballot questions.

Commissioners noted the proposal as complex: it would, if adopted, potentially change the voting method and the size and structure of council districts. Several commissioners emphasized that the package contained multiple separate questions (ranked voting itself, number of districts and council size), and that voters might approve some parts and not others. The commission agreed to schedule discussion and a vote on June 12 to allow more time for review and public input.

Because the topic crosses electoral procedure, representation and budget considerations (county staff and elections costs), commissioners and members of the public said they expect further written materials and analysis ahead of the June 12 meeting. The commission’s scheduling decision gives residents time to submit comments and for staff to prepare cost and implementation details for the public record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Whatcom County Charter Review Commission Meeting 5.22.2025","oneSentenceSummary","After public commenters offered both support and opposition to ranked‑choice voting, the commission set June 12 for discussion and a vote on Amendment 31 (ranked‑choice voting and related council structure changes); public comment at the meeting was strongly divided.","taxTitle","Whatcom County, Washington","taxId",2976,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6227632,"Commission votes to give County Council more time and transparency in budget process",212,6967000,7179000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3489256-99cd4528ffc598ffd11043a1c3c2920d&start=6967&end=7179","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3489256-99cd4528ffc598ffd11043a1c3c2920d/thumbnail_6967000.jpg","/articles/6227632/Whatcom-County/Washington/Commission-votes-to-give-County-Council-more-time-and-transparency-in-budget-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227632-2f51b522eb241894d0a9a7242230a66b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991515&Signature=CYIFwSOaUDmpgoH~5S7Wywh9~EE5-k5AH5GAY-ArkrOt5-SV2q1V6d0Yb2JgigFrXgLF~b6MJh-d9eKZAHoxx~8b2~9-swymwrSeQ90pXESTe4jMhpfgQBK8vW4eMDNqcdNf7IJBl3FjI4Vt0OTqUNEP45WSlRcZRRzlvI4INuyAt45Ikg947usVaXsmTc6TTZQkkLyMvzPQZd93X4Q3KhXNzJt5t2r5dEkF76WRG1wuAFwVlVqkEqgxLlUYNw4iCA7I4gAfq2Ec6xZpWYqBCBOviFIFEulYU6~15u6QLEb0BrJ5MJuT5-YxtXA3gGZ4jSPg-hGbL73WJRwbq2Me0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission approved proposed Amendment 23, which modifies the county’s budget development timeline to give County Council an additional month for review and public engagement before final budget decisions.

Commissioner McSturney, one of the sponsors, described the amendment as intended to “rebalance the structure of our budget cycle” so council has more time to review budget materials, gather constituent feedback and consider service requests. He noted the previous budget cycle produced hundreds of late service requests and said extra review time promotes better policy and accountability.

Commission discussion was brief and generally supportive. Commissioners said the change should create room for more constituent input and more careful deliberation on proposed service additions. The motion passed with 13 votes in favor and 2 commissioners excused.

If the change is adopted into the charter package and ultimately approved by voters, County staff and Council would follow the revised timeline in the next budget cycle to allow the additional month for deliberation and public outreach.","The commission approved Amendment 23 to modify the county budget development process to give council extra review time and improve public input; the motion passed 13–0 with two excused.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6227637,"Commission updates charter redistricting language to align with state law and expand public input",231,4083000,4314000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3489256-99cd4528ffc598ffd11043a1c3c2920d&start=4083&end=4314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3489256-99cd4528ffc598ffd11043a1c3c2920d/thumbnail_4083000.jpg","/articles/6227637/Whatcom-County/Washington/Commission-updates-charter-redistricting-language-to-align-with-state-law-and-expand-public-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227637-96f1c4161de488306006c040d73a4c1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991515&Signature=LvPYhWX0~93Y-VodepisCTN8BM6DuJjDLsaSvgLEbSAlHJC4Pidl~FiXrP9wKlCxghJfWdIm9vxF1hx-Nu1vLlcYL84sNjix82X7cXiOZssgXyI~MMClB-gAvu05nFFqCxaCWwpHAIpEKDcdnt998FF24-UpCwPUgDuvJPSByVtR2DVgYca7yaIbtxKyHfsRP-aacWjqRk8ttvlhcoM7xvEtac8XPWU2CzecW-2IvaE15uBrrlJwXDDbSZKgMgABGgFmRwR14lTa-MOJqsnPByIQK6v2MyP99dkzvpf8JE4h0xrf4e7mIR~KmtysNQTJHQhBS1Kz3R5MlxnV8bIPuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission approved a conforming amendment to the charter’s redistricting provisions to align county practice with state law and to formalize additional public engagement steps.

Commissioner Collins introduced the amendment, which clarifies that districting must respect equal population, compactness and communities of interest and incorporate state redistricting requirements enacted since the charter’s language was written. The proposal also emphasizes a public process: draft maps, public hearings and iterative revisions before a final map is adopted.

Proponents said the change brings the charter into step with statutory developments and ensures the county’s redistricting method will seek to avoid splitting cities and neighborhoods unnecessarily. “We’re going to try and maintain community integrity for cities like Blaine, Ferndale and Nooksack,” the sponsor said during discussion, noting recent state law changes and the need for consistent standards across counties, cities and school districts.

There was little debate. Commissioners asked procedural questions about timelines and whether past redistricting bodies had complied with the timing language; the sponsor said the amendment mainly codifies current practice and the state rules the county already must follow. The motion passed with 13 votes in favor and two commissioners excused.

The commission’s action sends the conforming language forward; if approved by the electorate as part of any charter package or otherwise, County officials would use the clarified standards and public engagement steps in the next redistricting cycle.","Commissioners voted to amend the charter’s redistricting section to reflect state law requirements and to formalize public engagement during the map‑drawing process; the motion passed 13–0 with two excused commissioners.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6227640,"Whatcom County charter amendment to create an ombuds office fails after public debate and close roll call",1076,3132000,4208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3489256-99cd4528ffc598ffd11043a1c3c2920d&start=3132&end=4208","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3489256-99cd4528ffc598ffd11043a1c3c2920d/thumbnail_3132000.jpg","/articles/6227640/Whatcom-County/Washington/Whatcom-County-charter-amendment-to-create-an-ombuds-office-fails-after-public-debate-and-close-roll-call","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227640-35e596c3d093f970c3015d22814928e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991515&Signature=mLb8ps4rAWUZoU~XkUFqEHmVQSahIp6Knnkci4T0ZKduo1m4xNRwmNr7NcYvGvg1feXqvtt2BfRrTiLOZG2WgGvxlGDAanKyVLTfuTDrXZ3e90p0afOsKH~XS-mRS0912P49I8RCYEt~bcvxYVVg8BaLBZ0FGsQmIi5hIpUKg0yORX0ugqRinQstdum~oIRZQHXvSMEhnuNYVi~VvrYBixFsT4zGXy0na-i2vtWbhvHDZCt6A6SL3HhDoPKzzc0xTO-Trp5aiHathI1f0rNVFB61WKeciGWAXY9fIBecbDqvNgHL0g5pp0qT-tBWkRaWCu5-6U9eVyzur9fw2PLfFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Whatcom County Charter Review Commission commissioners voted against sending proposed Amendment 14, which would create a county Office of the Ombuds, to voters following extended public comment and commissioner debate.

Supporters said the independent office would provide residents and county employees with a neutral place to raise complaints, help identify systemic problems and reduce expensive litigation. Opponents questioned the cost and whether existing county systems could be reallocated to provide the same service.

Proponents at the meeting urged the commission to give voters the choice. “An office of the ombuds would improve civic engagement and community relations by assisting both those within government and the people they serve,” public commenter Debbie Anderson Gray said during the hearing. Ray Deck, founder and CEO of Scoop of Kids, told the commission that an ombuds could identify cross‑departmental issues—he cited contracting delays as an example—and recommended an appointed, long term for independence.

Commission debate focused on structure, independence and cost. Sponsors described the amendment as intentionally general to let County Council shape staffing and operations if voters approved it, with an estimated first‑year cost presented to commissioners of roughly $400,000 for a fully independent office staffed with two full‑time equivalent positions; sponsors said the council would have time to phase funding in the next budget cycle. Some commissioners said they supported the idea in principle but were wary of creating a permanent new office without clearer budget offsets; others said the charter route would better protect the office’s independence than an ordinance.

A motion to formally adopt and send proposed Amendment 14 to the voters was made by Commissioner Coltenfeldt. The commission then conducted a roll‑call vote. Recorded votes were: Lindsey Graham Ellenbosch — no; Colton Coltenfelt — yes; Brad Kelly — no; Maya Morales — yes; John Muschwick — no; Joel Fitzjordan — yes; Andrew Redding — yes; Jessica Rynstra — yes; Jennifer Wright — yes; Doug Chadwick — no; Damon Collins — yes; Liz Darrow — yes; Joe Ellemos (changed from pass to yes). The motion failed 9–4 with 2 commissioners excused.

The failed motion means the commission will not place Amendment 14 on the November ballot at this time; commissioners and speakers noted the argument could be revisited in later charter work or brought before voters by another route. Supporters asked that, if the item resurfaces, the ballot language include an approximate cost estimate so voters can weigh benefits against fiscal impact.","After hours of public comment and commissioner debate, a motion to place proposed Amendment 14 (establishing a Whatcom County Office of the Ombuds) on the ballot failed on a roll-call vote; supporters argued it would increase transparency and reduce costly litigation, opponents cited cost and the risk of expanding government.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission schedules full discussion, vote on ranked‑choice and related council structure amendments for June 12 amid heated public comment

Commission votes to give County Council more time and transparency in budget process

Commission updates charter redistricting language to align with state law and expand public input

Whatcom County charter amendment to create an ombuds office fails after public debate and close roll call