Editor’s note: Story updated at 4:57 p.m. on 7/23/26 to include additional information from the Whatcom County Council.
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County residents have a chance to weigh in on a new property tax.
The Whatcom County Council is holding a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, to discuss the ferry district levy rate that will help fund the Lummi Island ferry.
My Bellingham Now previously reported that the council approved the new ferry district in May.
Council member Jon Scanlon told MBN earlier this year that property owners in unincorporated parts of the county will benefit most from it.
“Right now, 45% of ferry operating costs come out of the county road fund. That’s the fund that unincorporated properties pay via property tax in Whatcom County, only in the unincorporated areas, to maintain the county road system,” Scanlon said.
The funds will support maintenance of the aging Whatcom Chief alongside other ferry-related services.
The council is considering three different levy rates of 6.3, 8 or 8.7 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property value. That would cost the owner of a $600,000 home an extra $38, $48 or $52 per year in property taxes respectively.
Depending on which one is selected, the initial budget for the ferry district will be between $4.2 and $5.7 million.
Council member Jon Scanlon told MBN in a phone call that the county’s road fund could hinge on which levy rate is chosen. If the lowest rate is selected, then Scanlon says the county would have to draw from its road fund to support the ferry within two years. If the middle rate is selected, it would be 10 years before the road fund would be needed. If the highest levy rate is selected, it would be about 19 years before needing to use the road fund, which would be enough time to cover the final debt payment for the ferry’s new boat.
Council member Scanlon says he expects the council to hold a vote at the meeting following the public comment.
Anyone interested in speaking in-person can fill out a sign-up sheet before the meeting or register online by 4 p.m. on Tuesday if speaking over Zoom.
