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Residents debate proposal to change PRCAC membership and election method; county code limits authority
Summary
A proposal from the Point Roberts Taxpayers Association to elect PRCAC members and include nonresident property owners prompted discussion; members noted county code requires advisory members be residents and that county is unlikely to fund or expand PRCAC authority.
The PRCAC reviewed a proposal circulated by the Point Roberts Taxpayers Association suggesting the advisory council be renamed and reconstituted with elected seats and nonresident property-owner representation. The proponent suggested elected membership would increase credibility; some members expressed sympathy for greater community involvement but noted legal constraints.
Multiple speakers pointed out county code defines the PRCAC as an advisory body and requires residency for advisory members, so granting formal authority or budget to an elected advisory committee would likely be legally infeasible. "We are advisory. No other advisory committee in Whatcom County is duly elected, have a budget, anything else," the Chair said. Members discussed alternatives such as increasing outreach, allowing more public input and renaming efforts to improve trust without changing legal status.
