Election: Whatcom County property tax levies could fund schools, fire services
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Whatcom County Elections 2025
These are the Whatcom County races we’re following for the Nov. 4, 2025 election.
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Whatcom County voters are being asked to decide whether to tax themselves to support a handful of levies and bonds in the upcoming Nov. 4 general election.
Bellingham Public Schools Supplemental Operations Levy
The Bellingham Public Schools District is proposing two levies.
The first is Proposition 2025-05, a three-year supplemental operations levy meant to support ongoing operational needs and help stabilize the district’s budget amid an estimated $11.4 million deficit.
If approved, it would raise about $4 million from property taxes within the Bellingham School District in 2026 and 2027, and another $5 million in 2028 to supplement the already-voter-approved Operations Levy, which mainly helps support staffing.
BPS Superintendent Greg Baker previously told The Bellingham Herald the supplemental levy would raise enough to pay for the district’s utilities and insurance costs, which are underfunded by the state by about $3 million each year. It could also help fund special education, which is underfunded by about $7 million each year.
Homeowners would pay about 13 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value in 2026 and 2027, if the levy is approved. They would pay about 16 cents per $1,000 in 2028.
Bellingham Public Schools Facilities Maintenance Levy
The second levy is Proposition 2025-06, a six-year facilities maintenance levy focused on raising funds for safety improvements and major system repairs in the district’s existing facilities.
The facilities levy would fund things like HVAC system maintenance, roof replacements, playground replacements, new furniture and upgraded gym flooring.
If approved, it would raise about $11 million each year in property taxes from 2026 through 2031.
Homeowners would pay about 36 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value in 2026, if the levy is approved. That amount is expected to decrease by one cent every year until the final year of the levy in 2031, when homeowners would pay about 31 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value.
Lynden School District General Obligation Bond
The Lynden School District is asking its voters to pass a property tax levy to pay back a bond that would be used to build a replacement for Lynden High School.
A resolution bringing this ballot proposition forward to voters was passed by the Lynden School District Board in July.
Lynden School District “requires new school facilities and capital improvements in order to provide the students of the District with a safe, adequate and appropriate educational environment,” according to the resolution.
Proposition 2025-09 would allow the district to issue more than $129 million of general obligation bonds for the project, which would include “expanded capacity, performance space, and enhanced physical education and activity spaces for student and community use,” according to the proposition.
The bonds would mature within 22 years and be repaid from annual excess property tax levies. Homeowners would pay an estimated rate of $1.13 for every $1,000 of assessed value.
If voters approve the proposition, the District expects to receive approximately $30,520,137 in state assistance to complete the project.
Fire Protection District 7 Property Tax Levy Lid Lift
Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 7 is proposing a levy lid lift measure, asking voters to restore its fire levy rate to $1.20 per $1,000 of assessed value.
“This levy is the primary source of funding for emergency services provided by the District. Voter approval of Proposition No. 1 will provide funding for the District to continue providing fire and emergency medical services at existing levels,” the proposition’s explanatory statement said.
Approval of Proposition 2025-08 would allow the District to increase its annual revenue by up to 106% in each of the five subsequent years. Rejection of the proposition would mean the District could only increase its annual revenue by 101% over the prior year, impacting its ability to continue its current level of services.
“As Ferndale continues to grow, so do the demands on our emergency services. Rising call volumes, aging infrastructure, and increasing operational costs are placing unprecedented pressure on our personnel and resources. The proposed levy is a proactive step to ensure we can continue delivering reliable, high-quality service to our community,” Whatcom County Fire district 7 Chief Ben Boyko said in a community message about the proposition.
The owner of a $500,000 home would pay about $216 more in 2026 if the measure is approved.
Fire District 7 covers more than 70 square miles in and around Ferndale, as well as the Cherry Point Industrial area.
Fire Protection District 18 Property Tax Levy Lid Lift
Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 18 is proposing a similar measure, asking voters to lift the levy lid to help maintain emergency services.
Approval of the proposition will increase the levy rate from 66 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in 2025 to $1.10 per $1,000 of assessed property value starting in 2026, a 44-cent increase.
“Inflation has diminished our ability to fund capital projects and grant funds are increasingly harder to acquire. We have adjusted our Capital Improvement Plan to stretch apparatus and equipment dollars as far as we can without compromising safety and service. However, even with these adjustments we are quickly approaching the inability to maintain that plan,” District 18 volunteers said in a community message about the proposition.
The owner of a $500,000 home would pay about $220 more in 2026 if the measure is approved.
The mostly volunteer-run department serves 67 square miles of South Whatcom County, including Glenhaven, South Bay and South Lake Whatcom.
This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
