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.

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.