Mayor Kim Lund prefaced her remarks by mentioning how she resonated with Bob’s book report and shared her family’s enthusiasm for space flight. In fact, her kids regularly missed school when space shots happened, in recognition of this peak achievement for science and engineering.
Her presentation, Advancing Urban Vitality and Economic Opportunity in Bellingham, opened with financial charts she updates and shares regularly.
She highlighted the interplay between expenses and revenue, noting the acute challenges the pandemic brought. Today there is a greater alignment and smaller disparities between expenses and revenue. The city has implemented cost controls (e.g., a freeze and 60-day review for all open positions). Most budget lines will experience 6% reductions in the next budget cycle, including public safety, which is a large part of the budget. Another ongoing budget strain is health care (e.g., $400 additional expense for each employee in the new budget)
There was discussion of plans for a Regional Fire Authority, which the majority of Washington counties have. A special ballot will be held in February 2027 on this issue.
To justify the initiative, Mayor Lund said no major equipment has been purchased since 1977 and emergency response times on the north side of town are too long. Additional funds for safety will allow investment in other areas of community service (e.g., library, police). Mayor Lund hopes that someday Bellingham will be able to have a robust community center like many Canadian communities do.
There has been planning underway that reflects the City’s vision:
- Bham is Open for Business by removing barriers and creating opportunities
The Council wants to make it easier to start, grow, and invest here, facilitated by a
Creating a single info hub for those interested
- Downtown Forward: Activating the City Center, especially the Waterfront District. The biggest project right now is building another park like Boulevard Park.
- Help more higher-ed graduates (WWU, BTC, WCC) stay here in Bellingham.
Questions
Not surprisingly, there were many questions from our RCOB members, including,
- What is the role of AI in city government?
Nothing yet. Critical analysis from subject matter experts is not going away, as long as we have the ability to support them.
- What are you doing about the scary slide in reserve funds?
We have a backup plan if voters don’t approve the initiative in February.
The slide is driven by the high cost of fire and safety. For fire response, about 70% goes to medical expenses for the entire community, not just the homeless, which some say disproportionately affects expenses. One real driver is the “complex structure for overtime”. Our system engenders higher costs; change must emerge from the collective bargaining process.
- What is the policy about people living on streets?
There is no policy, but there are strategies being discussed. One idea is to establish a Daytime Center so people could get off the streets. The provider being considered withdrew when it looked like the center might not be in downtown.
Closing:
President Nathan thanked all who helped with the meeting and quizzed us on the Four-Way Test, which we recited with gusto.
The Four Questions
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
