Whatcom County Charter Commission sets meeting calendar, adopts amendment and presentation procedures

The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission on Monday adopted a schedule of regular meetings, set rules for how proposed charter amendments and department-head presentations must be submitted, and approved procedural changes intended to manage public engagement and staff workload.

The commission voted to meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month going forward, with the next scheduled meeting remaining Monday, Jan. 27 in Ferndale as previously arranged. That schedule passed with 12 in favor, 2 opposed and 1 absent.

Commissioners also adopted a process for handling proposed charter amendments: any commissioner may submit a proposed amendment by email to staff with the full text and a written rationale. Staff will place such proposals on the agenda for consideration at the following meeting. The commission approved that process unanimously (15–0).

Separately, the commission adopted a requirement that department heads and elected officials who ask the commission to consider a charter amendment must submit their request in writing in advance. Commissioners voted 14–0, with one absence, to require written submissions before scheduling presentations.

The commission approved a related policy allowing the body, by a majority vote, to invite county departments, elected officials or outside experts to present at a meeting and to send those invitees a memo of questions in advance. That motion…