Council approves change to latecomer agreements allowing split assessments

The Lynden City Council voted unanimously July 20 to adopt Ordinance No. 26-1730, amending Linden Municipal Code 13.28 to create a method for apportioning latecomer financial assessments into two or more separate assessments.

Mayor Scott Korthuis opened a public hearing on the ordinance at 7:06 p.m. and Duane Scholten of Lynden asked for clarification about what would change if the measure passed. Public Works Director Jon Hutchings and City Attorney Luke Phifer provided additional information to explain the apportionment options, including subdivision-based allocation and an ERU (equivalent residential unit) splitting process. Following the hearing, Councilor Gary Bode moved and Councilor Kyle Strengholt seconded "to approve Ordinance No. 26-1730 amending LMC 13.28 and authorize the Mayor's signature on the document." The motion passed 7-0.

Council materials state the amendment permits apportionment either by subdivision of property or by splitting an assessment through an ERU process; the ordinance text itself outlines the administrative steps for implementing split assessments. Council members did not propose amendments during the hearing and no recorded dissenting remarks were entered into the minutes. The ordinance was authorized for the mayor's signature and will become part of the city code following the standard posting and effective-date processes.