[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6221771,"mediaKeyId","3611462-35af0c18776d0bad9aea737ec55d6336","parentId",3611462,"title","Former GAO auditor urges commission to create independent performance auditor office","audioSeconds",332,"startMs",432000,"endMs",764000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3611462-35af0c18776d0bad9aea737ec55d6336&start=432&end=764","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3611462-35af0c18776d0bad9aea737ec55d6336/thumbnail_432000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6221771/Whatcom-County/Washington/Former-GAO-auditor-urges-commission-to-create-independent-performance-auditor-office","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221771-6ae5af0a423db1a50ea8cbec8c0c0f52/orig.mp4?Expires=1770644371&Signature=RcpUZOtur5le9QydEaBqekLQj3KIVcqXRr2GRR5GGcrOtHwM9m4s2n8G0MqHVJ39wNqbNXUewPulig4vIsPMxz1DTsIn1mCc9t9bjt6OFURJwZHbSM1ZRcDbBphrImweo~7tqFVcUhBwVaptq64oFx~joCqkt7OeQUKjR0-NQyh~JMmlA1XprSgDhCLy4S4eVw1okoslwb3OKIvoYPmfYKn74POEQV9NQ7RfDqCQm~~y~DY~aW~l-AySy0-XM-eCEcVYMAGs~d0GVffpsjzT9b~Krol5eaBgEwD20mdYh1S3z5aGfP8kAORGNJAlASS8cp4f3GYti4h4GiwZbepsuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Whatcom County, WA","date","2025-05-30T16:13:02Z","article","Brian Estes, a former Federal Government Accountability Office auditor who later worked with the King County auditor’s office, urged the Charter Review Commission during public comment to create an independent office of the performance auditor in Whatcom County.

Estes described performance auditing standards (the “Yellow Book”) and national best practices, said properly structured audit offices can report independently to the legislative branch and avoid political interference, and cited King County’s experience: he said King County’s office reported an estimated $240 million in savings over three years at a cost of about $9 million, a roughly 26:1 return on investment. Estes argued performance audits can improve efficiency and equity in high‑stakes areas such as behavioral health, homelessness and housing strategies.

He recommended the commission give an independent performance auditor clear legal protections, funding and authority so the office can operate without managerial or political interference. Estes also told commissioners that jurisdictions he had worked with saw measurable cost savings and program improvements after establishing independent performance-audit functions.

Commissioners thanked the speaker; the public comment did not immediately trigger a formal motion at the meeting. Any charter or ordinance changes to create such an office would require drafting, legal review, and a funding plan before appearing on a future agenda or on the ballot.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Whatcom County Charter Review Commission Meeting 5.29.2025","oneSentenceSummary","A visitor with three decades of performance‑audit experience urged the Charter Review Commission to establish an independent office of performance audit within the legislative branch, saying such offices yield strong returns on investment and better program outcomes.","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},6221776,"Panel approves discussion of ranked‑choice pilot for Charter Review Commission elections",391,6781000,7172000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3611462-35af0c18776d0bad9aea737ec55d6336&start=6781&end=7172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3611462-35af0c18776d0bad9aea737ec55d6336/thumbnail_6781000.jpg","/articles/6221776/Whatcom-County/Washington/Panel-approves-discussion-of-rankedchoice-pilot-for-Charter-Review-Commission-elections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221776-ff7c8ed533b599830cb396d60da25634/orig.mp4?Expires=1770644371&Signature=ULse-XX8I9R8kn0XNFqbZ0OKmVSywyDUIjSd7BZtnlIGPP0iluwbFa0hYyUGkyqo~4L4XHR6m5sUoMywcZBC9sG-37UaKizyw7OW6zhtxb~CVlmrvK8ejdLrwvvFL-VokvEU8o9nVjjA470E7HcyFwSurgOnxVkyfxPhPZjx~z7S8dCzik2gA3XMo0lUqkb5xsIaOjf9bHPb5xNHgcWD357R~q6Lxhjb5CK2PeR1GSIZKYl~V9ukBc1YphfMjqMK9GkdX7EBWhEVoCtzZiVJJulmjL4xvjoP8ar9Lwj13e-TEcuPpMlmZpltufTKVgOG06YplTdiV3xkkNLvd4ESyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission approved placing on a future agenda a proposed pilot project to use ranked‑choice voting (RCV) for elections to the Charter Review Commission itself.

Sponsors said the pilot would allow the commission — a small, self-selecting body that the public elects every ten years — to test ranked‑choice procedures on a limited scale before any wider changes to county electoral systems. Proponents framed the approach as a contained trial that could provide data without committing the county to an immediate, permanent switch.

Opponents and some commissioners asked about costs, training, and whether the county auditor would incur one‑time software or training expenses. The county auditor’s staff noted that adopting RCV could require upgrades and training but that a single‑election pilot’s costs would be manageable; one commissioner observed that the existing fielded ballots already choose among multiple candidates and suggested the change may be less disruptive than it appears.

After brief discussion commissioners voted to place the RCV pilot proposal on a future meeting agenda for fuller consideration. The roll call vote to add the item to a future meeting passed.

If commissioners later choose to advance the pilot as a charter amendment, the proposal would require counsel and auditor review and a ballot title and fiscal note before being placed before voters.","The commission voted to place a proposal on its next meeting agenda to consider letting Charter Review Commission elections use ranked‑choice voting as a pilot before any broader adoption.",{"_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},6221781,"Charter commission advances proposed county ombuds office with sunset and voter review",633,7206000,7839000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3611462-35af0c18776d0bad9aea737ec55d6336&start=7206&end=7839","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3611462-35af0c18776d0bad9aea737ec55d6336/thumbnail_7206000.jpg","/articles/6221781/Whatcom-County/Washington/Charter-commission-advances-proposed-county-ombuds-office-with-sunset-and-voter-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221781-5aa9c04df9bb2f448518efb6b31994da/orig.mp4?Expires=1770644371&Signature=n7~n~kmqoC2112nQXAo289JZB0X1ztEMIsygX238d8uvArFcqKxkpGQH22HWdR5FH1~NJwwhImNkiTlVAFNdIocJ8MbdiIVFdVBBETi8PpMq-BcVznkfI4sjyTrGZ8cyQOlnQI8PO64blAt4na36v7lFW2Lej2tddNuCxCq9KjJzZPLvmN6DdW2MZa4cVjbPg9Nw0CWK9Y~SZvWAkJVxzy6hPRkD8wrOadNr1CLYyMHmpE2a~jX4Kt~6DrYZUp72pEr6pztw-ArNFtcc-9DqCcJglTC7ZZ-SczzbrYoaz9ocTf1QvmNVgJ~yfmhbLIjtW817Q9lshXzoqv0M4Ywy5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission voted to advance a proposal to create a county ombuds office to investigate complaints and improve public accountability, and the sponsor offered companion language that would require a voter review measure after the office had operated for several years.

Supporters said an independent ombuds office would give residents a nonpolitical place to raise concerns about county services, improve transparency and offer a structured review period to prevent open-ended budget commitments. The supporter offered a draft amendment and proposed adding a clause requiring the county council to place a ballot measure in 2032 asking voters whether the office should be maintained after a trial period; proponents said that would provide near-term oversight and public accountability.

Opponents asked for more time to work through budget implications and the precise powers of the office; some commissioners said they wanted to avoid creating an unbounded new program before legal and budget reviews.

After discussion the commission voted to place the ombuds amendment on a future meeting agenda for fuller consideration and drafting of the proposed sunsets and ballot-review language. The recorded vote on moving the proposal forward was 13 in favor and 2 opposed.

If the commission and county counsel finalize language and the voters approve the charter amendment, the council would then be required to fund and staff the ombuds office. The commission asked county counsel to prepare final drafting that includes the sponsor’s suggestion to ask voters after a set period whether the office should be retained.","The Charter Review Commission moved forward an amendment to create an office of the ombudsman for county government, with proponents proposing language that would require voters to reaffirm the office at a later election; the commission agreed to discuss the measure and returned it for further drafting.",{"_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},6221786,"Commission votes to clarify that county executive does not direct independently elected officials",1517,2792000,4309000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3611462-35af0c18776d0bad9aea737ec55d6336&start=2792&end=4309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3611462-35af0c18776d0bad9aea737ec55d6336/thumbnail_2792000.jpg","/articles/6221786/Whatcom-County/Washington/Commission-votes-to-clarify-that-county-executive-does-not-direct-independently-elected-officials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221786-953bdabe9601659a52e3d8b8cbe7d3bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770644371&Signature=oNjyalCSxY5jQ~9PVLB7xXPoPHO8jLkVTyBGCt9kZ0kLuzSpaTBIHtFnE7Ho5K2RWm2xygYBqCGRdlv9uSKjy2YaY4NsAIPBsjkDHiUARMyzC-3~0huW4jW~EU-fdMlSpa2JyjEDpt53H1ujcJ5r3Z9Vlh8P3VdLce16D8lonB6pf-VRFIypVMUJQMHCXB4m46UuWdGluLxkcYGwHuBKR7rZ-JbGLMnZnrtf8ri4BrGdq6rGFj0L8fWIm0AFdVqfYakYwXuQTF33COCrrBgd3dISH~SStyiaBKWlHHtu8eJt1j9GYWjSgq0g2fxO8L2kwYgWps2qhjbr7OtuZpwmYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission voted to advance a proposed amendment clarifying that independently elected county officials — the assessor, auditor, treasurer and sheriff — are not subject to direction by the county executive.

Supporters said the change simply removes ambiguity in the charter so voters, candidates and county employees understand that those elected offices have independent authority. The sponsor and other commissioners noted examples where organizational charts and public materials had created confusion about which offices report to the county executive.

Several commissioners requested tighter, shortened ballot-title language so the question would be clear to voters; one commissioner suggested a succinct title: \"Clarify that independently elected county officials are not directed by the county executive.\" Counsel confirmed parts of the draft refer to powers the charter had already modified in past revisions.

After discussion and a friendly edit to shorten the title, the commission voted to send the amendment forward for placement on the ballot. The roll-call recorded result was 14 in favor and 1 opposed.

If placed on the ballot and approved by voters, the change would not create new offices; it would only clarify the chain of command and which powers and duties are assigned by charter. County staff and counsel will prepare the precise ballot language and the explanatory pamphlet text when the commission files the amendment for ballot handling.

Commissioners emphasized the change is intended as clarification — not as a transfer of duties between offices — and several asked counsel for final review to avoid conflicts between charter language and state law.","The Charter Review Commission approved language to clarify that independently elected county officials — the assessor, auditor, treasurer and sheriff — are not directed by the county executive, after discussion about ballot-title clarity and state-law interactions.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6221791,"Charter panel narrows referendum signature threshold to 14% of county executive vote",1587,1295000,2882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3611462-35af0c18776d0bad9aea737ec55d6336&start=1295&end=2882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3611462-35af0c18776d0bad9aea737ec55d6336/thumbnail_1295000.jpg","/articles/6221791/Whatcom-County/Washington/Charter-panel-narrows-referendum-signature-threshold-to-14-of-county-executive-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221791-c3a686949f93c9bbc477e184600896dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770644371&Signature=CXcibLCyi9tym5km5WWi6jvdde9IdlVmQTpi5UOOYSq-GLAhy4EBodB9bY6IV~oDnnChwb-L8JKKUEVzVTKQVU3vbOX88mKxRRZGaWTCZ3JNSSDU8A5X2KUA2FoTYVwh6aQSozCdWdSzi7me1qZPp4kD5CUfj3-MNnb2VO336eIglp8iZZG8Z4UC6MPKg4jh~Swm-NlRjXnMo9ll1NDOsjjbORVfkDAs0Oi2-BiCXcss2feuA5RhVJ~qJlSHnWK85GI4FldzOh9wohfYzjJgQJOirJ9nV3pD8HBk2kRP0HqRYncjGLoFf-15wVkKO-qt9xHLGQY~CbXGFvXTy7cTug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission voted to advance a proposed change that would require petitioners seeking a county referendum to collect signatures equal to 14% of votes cast in the most recent county executive election.

Commissioners debated whether moving the reference point from a gubernatorial to a county-executive turnout figure would meaningfully change the number of signatures required. Opponents called the change largely “performative,” saying it would produce little practical difference; supporters said it would make the charter’s signature thresholds consistent across local measures and better align petition requirements with local turnout.

The commission first considered a motion to set the threshold at 15% of the executive race, which prompted an amendment to lower the rate to 11%; the 11% amendment failed. Commissioners then proposed and approved a substitute of 14% and subsequently voted to send the 14% proposal forward. The final recorded result on the motion as amended was 14 in favor and 1 opposed.

The measure will be placed on the ballot for voters to decide; if approved, petitions for referendums would use the county executive race turnout to compute the signature requirement going forward. The commission’s change does not itself alter any existing ordinance or statute; it would, if adopted by voters, modify the county charter’s formula for signature counts.

Commissioners who opposed the higher threshold said raising the signature requirement could make it harder for citizen-led referendums to qualify for the ballot; supporters said uniformity and local alignment justified the modest change.

The commission’s roll call and the recorded votes are part of the official minutes and transcript.

Looking ahead, if voters approve the amendment the county auditor and clerk’s offices will need to publish updated signature counts and instructions for petitions that use the new executive-race baseline.","Whatcom County Charter Review Commission voted to send a proposal to voters that would set the petition signature requirement for county referendums at 14% of votes cast in the most recent county executive election, after debate over whether the change would be substantive or merely procedural.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Former GAO auditor urges commission to create independent performance auditor office

Panel approves discussion of ranked‑choice pilot for Charter Review Commission elections

Charter commission advances proposed county ombuds office with sunset and voter review

Commission votes to clarify that county executive does not direct independently elected officials

Charter panel narrows referendum signature threshold to 14% of county executive vote