Civic Agenda: A year of progress for Whatcom County

At year end, most of us take some time to reflect on the year’s challenges and accomplishments. As I take a moment to do just that, I am pleased to recall the breadth of actions accomplished over the year. We’ve made steady progress on a vast number of important initiatives. Whatcom County has had a very challenging, but productive year. I’ve highlighted just a few of those actions that will produce tangible and positive results for Whatcom County citizens.

January: Whatcom County Mental Health Court began screening potential members. This court was set up to reduce criminal activities and increase public safety by ensuring that offenders struggling with symptoms of severe mental illness receive effective treatment and supportive services. Public Works Director Frank Abart resigns after eight years of excellent service to our county. The 2015 Charter Review Commission starts its work of discussing and providing recommendations for amendments. New, fourth Superior Court Judge Raquel Montoya-Lewis takes the bench.

February: The county starts working with the city of Bellingham and small cities to develop a long-term interlocal agreement that will guide the funding of the construction, operations and services from all the cities and jurisdictions that are using the jail facility. The inter-local agreement confirms the cities and other jurisdictions desire to continue use of the jail for the detention of their inmates.

March: Whatcom County launched its brand new website improving the ability for citizens to find information on services and county projects and events. Online reservations for county park facilities went live for the public through the website. The draft comprehensive plan and associated draft EIS were made available on March 10. Jon Hutchings is appointed as public works director. This is a return to the county for Jon who previously worked as assistant director before leaving to become the city of Bellingham’s assistant public works director.

April: The salary commission finalizes its preliminary salary placements for submission to County Council. The commission meets every other year and is made up of citizens who are appointed or picked through lottery by the auditor’s office.

May: The emergency medical services funding work group representing all EMS stakeholders and confirmed by the Whatcom County EMS oversight board, begins to meet on a monthly basis. The EMS funding work group is tasked with recommending a funding strategy that will support and sustain a countywide emergency medical services system.

June: County Council establishes by ordinance 2015-47 the incarceration prevention and reduction task force to provide recommendations, oversight and specific time frames on the development of new or enhanced existing programs designed to reduce incarceration rates.

July: Several substantial bridge projects have continuing work. These include continued work on the Nooksack Bridge at Potter Road near Van Zandt, scour work on the Nooksack River Bridge on the Hannegan Road near Lynden, and a major seismic retrofit of the Dakota Creek Bridge on Portal Way near Blaine. The Nooksack River Bridge on Slater Road near Ferndale is repainted. The Charter Review Commission sends its final amendments to the auditor.

August: Public Works completes the paving of four miles of the Hannegan Road from Bellingham city limits to Hemmi Road. This completes a full rehabilitation of the Hannegan corridor road surface. New turn lanes and illumination greatly improve the intersections of Ferndale Road and Imhof Road.

September: The new county phone system is replaced with a ShoreTel system. This allows for direct numbers to staff offices and improved functionality. The auditor’s office goes live with their new document recording and imaging system. The Birch Bay Drive and pedestrian facility project preliminary survey and engineering plans is 60 percent completed. Construction of this project is slated to commence in 2016. Whatcom County is selected by the Washington State Department of Commerce to receive up to $750,000 in federal community development block grant funds for construction of a food bank distribution center at the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center.

October: Potter Road Bridge ribbon cutting is held marking the end of this significant bridge replacement project.

November: The general election results are certified. I return to office as your county executive for the next term. New council members Todd Donovan and Satpal Sidhu are elected. They will start new terms commencing in January 2016. Proposition 2015-1, jail bond levy is defeated. County Council adopted the adjusted 2016 Whatcom County budget. The draft Lookout Mountain and Lake Whatcom Park recreational trail plan is released by Whatcom County Parks and Recreation, commencing a public comment period through the end of November. The plan will be reviewed by County Council early in 2016.

December: I appoint Tyler Schroeder as deputy executive commencing in January 2016. Schroeder has been working in the executive office since 2014 as special projects manager.

I would be remiss in not taking this opportunity to thank our staff and elected officials for the professional relationship we have, working on behalf of our citizens. Along with the city mayors, I do have a great team of elected administrators to work with.

I wanted to also thank the volunteers who join with county government serving on all of our many boards, committees and commissions. You do important work that really helps us achieve the best outcomes for all Whatcom County citizens.

Have a great year!

This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 8:01 AM with the headline "Civic Agenda: A year of progress for Whatcom County."