Commission introduces charter amendment to create Whatcom County Office of Ombuds after public backing

The Charter Review Commission voted to place a proposed amendment establishing an independent Whatcom County Office of Ombuds on a future meeting agenda after public testimony and commissioner remarks supporting centralized complaint tracking and accountability.

The sponsor, Commissioner Colton Coltenfelt, said the proposed language would create an independent office appointed by the county council, tasked with receiving, investigating and recommending action on complaints about county government operations. The office would also respond to public inquiries and produce public-facing reports.

Kim Ninneman, speaking as a member of a local civic group, told the commission the Riveters Collective “strongly support the development of a Whatcom County Office of Ombuds” and urged the addition of an annual public report and a publicly available strategic plan. Leah Weinman and Marcus Dee, both commenters earlier in the meeting, also urged an ombuds office to improve transparency and to provide a single place for people to lodge concerns that now are handled in multiple department-specific ways.

Coltenfelt moved to place the amendment on the next meeting agenda and the motion passed on roll call, with 13 yes votes, one excused and one abstention recorded.

Why it matters: Commenters said the county lacks a clear, centralized, publicly accountable channel for complaints and requests for administrative review. Proponents argue an ombuds office would provide case management, systemic reporting to the council and an annual public summary of complaints and outcomes.

Next steps: The amendment will be scheduled for fuller discussion at the commission’s next meeting, with supporters urging staff to include language about annual reporting and public-facing performance measures.