WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – If you’re looking to voice your thoughts on budgetary plans and taxes for Whatcom County residents, your chance is coming.
The Whatcom County Council voted 6-1 to introduce a series of public hearings on Tuesday night.
Those hearings pertain to increasing the county’s budget for 2026 as well as raising levies in the county to help foot a nearly $21 million bump in the budget for the coming year.
Members of the public will also be able to comment on that increase to the budget.
According to a letter from Executive Satpal Sidhu, the rise comes from high inflation, rising personnel costs and expanding community needs.
In his Oct. 18 letter, Sidhu recommended a $10.1 million increase to the budget for 2026 and noted that the new council next year will need to look at service reductions and other cost-cutting measures.
The public hearings will be announced next month, offering the public time to comment on both the increase to the budget and the prospect of increasing levies to cover the costs.
