Whatcom County Council established the Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility service area and rates through the legislative process. First, the Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility Service Area was established through Ordinance No. 2017-076 in December 2017. From June 2018 to March 2019 Whatcom County Public Works conducted a funding study to evaluate rate structure options.  At the end of the funding study, County Council considered the proposed rate structure and approved Ordinance No. 2019-053 in July, 2019.  

County Council Meetings

County Council meetings where the Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility was discussed are listed below.  Visit the County Council page to access meeting agendas, minutes, and audio recordings.    

November 21, 2017 Regular County Council Meeting: 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers, 322 Grand Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98225 - introduce ordinance to establish the Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility Service Area

December 5, 2017 Regular County Council Meeting: 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers, 322 Grand Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98225 - approve ordinance establishing the Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility Service Area  

May 14, 2019 Surface Water Work Session: 10:30 a.m., Garden Level Conference Room, Whatcom County Civic Center, 322 N. Commercial Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 - discuss recommended rate structure and provide input on draft ordinance

May 21, 2019 Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee: 11 a.m., Council Chambers, 322 Grand Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98225 - continued discussion on rate structure and draft ordinance

June 4, 2019 Council Special Committee of the Whole: 9:30 a.m., Council Chambers, 322 Grand Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98225 - continued discussion on rate structure and draft ordinance 

June 18, 2019 Council Special Committee of the Whole: 10:15 a.m., Council Chambers, 322 Grand Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98225 - continued discussion on rate structure and draft ordinance 

July 9, 2019 Regular County Council Meeting: 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers, 322 Grand Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98225 - introduce ordinance

July 23, 2019 Regular County Council Meeting: 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers, 322 Grand Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98225 - public hearing and vote; access meeting audio and official records

Ordinance 

• APPROVED Rate Structure Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2019-053; introduced July 9 and approved July 23, 2019)
• DRAFT Rate Structure Ordinance May 7, 2019 (original draft discussed in Council committee meetings)
• APPROVED Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility Service Area Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2017-076)

Code

Whatcom County Code was amended to add the following chapter for the Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility service area and funding mechanism: Whatcom County Code Chapter 16.30.