Charter commission records multiple procedural votes; measure to make prosecutor nonpartisan fails

The Whatcom County Charter Commission met March 13 in Blaine and recorded several formal actions on pending charter amendments, including a failed effort to send a measure converting the prosecuting attorney to a nonpartisan office to the ballot and a referral of two salary-related amendment proposals to further study.

In a lengthy procedural debate the commission conducted a roll-call on a motion to rule that the Feb. 27 vote on proposed Amendment 13 (a change to signature requirements for charter amendments) was out of order because the agenda item contained two prongs that had not both been decided. The roll call recorded 7 no votes, 5 yes votes and 3 abstentions; following that vote the chair moved the meeting on to old business. The commission did not finalize new signature language at this meeting.

On proposed Amendment 6, which would make the county prosecuting attorney a nonpartisan office, the commission first approved a technical amendment making the change effective at the next regular election (2026). That amendment passed on a roll call of 12 yes, 2 no and 1 abstention. After debate the main motion to send the amended proposal to voters failed on a recorded tally reported by the chair as 14 to 1.

Separately, the commission voted to refer proposed Amendment 10 (which seeks to replace the salary commission and establish a fixed, cost-of-living–adjusted salary schedule for elected officials) and proposed Amendment 11 to a Committee of the Whole for additional discussion. The referral passed on a roll-call vote of 13 yes, 1 no with 1 commissioner excused; the body instructed staff to schedule that Committee of the Whole within 30 days if possible.

The meeting record shows several spoken motions and seconds and multiple roll-call tallies. Commissioners and members of the public pressed for more time and data about salary comparisons and commission procedures during debate; one commissioner argued the county is paying salaries higher than much larger Washington counties, while others urged caution about sending numerous charter amendments to the public.

No ordinance or charter language was adopted at the meeting; the actions above were procedural votes and a referral for further study. The commission continued scheduled discussion of other charter items and set follow-up dates for committee work.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to rule Feb. 27 vote on proposed Amendment 13 out of order: roll call 7 no / 5 yes / 3 abstentions (chair continued to old business after the roll call). - Amendment to proposed Amendment 6 (make prosecuting attorney nonpartisan) to take effect at the next regular election (2026): passed 12 yes / 2 no / 1 abstain. - Main motion to send proposed Amendment 6 (as amended) to the ballot for voter consideration: failed 14 to 1 (tally reported by the chair). - Referral of proposed Amendments 10 and 11 to a Committee of the Whole to be scheduled within 30 days: passed 13 yes / 1 no / 1 excused.

The commission will consider the Committee of the Whole’s findings and any redrafted language before placing charter changes on a ballot or making further procedural rulings.