WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Planning efforts for the new Whatcom County Jail just cleared a major hurdle.

The Whatcom County Council voted 5-2 to approve a resolution setting the initial framework for the jail and behavioral care center at its meeting on Tuesday, May 12.

Council members Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler were the two “no” votes.

The resolution affirms the project’s preliminary budget cap of $205 million for the jail and $34 million for the care center, $14 million of which is being covered by grants and state funding.

Council member Jon Scanlon says he’s confirmed the design team has already begun work using the spending cap that the council approved late last month.

“This resolution acknowledges that decision this council took by a 4-3 vote two weeks ago and it adds in the additional policy guidance, plus what we’d like to see before debt authorization,” Scanlon said at the meeting.

The council’s approval concludes two weeks of debate centered around balancing the size of the jail with long-term commitments to fund behavioral health services and diversion programs. Several council members recently met with mayors to make a provision acknowledging the cities’ request to build a jail big enough to eliminate booking restrictions.

A final decision on the jail’s capacity is expected to be made by the end of this summer before construction begins in 2027. The council’s first vote to authorize a debt agreement will take place in spring 2027.