BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Whatcom County Council has voted to stop discussion of a proposal to change the sheriff from an elected to an appointed position.

Exchanges between members became personal at times during a meeting on Tuesday, August 8th, as they considered a motion to table the resolution.

Member Ben Elenbaas claimed it arose from a conflict between current Sheriff Bill Elfo and councilmember Todd Donovan.

“I’m actually really annoyed that we’ve even spent any time on this personal grudge that’s in front of us,” said Elenbass.

Donovan admits he has clashed with Elfo in the past and claims the sheriff has taken inappropriate steps to stop this discussion.

But he says it is an important one to have.

“It doesn’t have to be about the current Sheriff who’s making himself the topic of this whole thing, and his supporters,” said Donovan. “It should be about is this the best way that we administer a jail? Is this the best way that we administer law enforcement?”

Whatcom County voters will elect a new sheriff in November as Elfo is retiring.

The motion to table the resolution passed 4 to 2 with one abstention Tuesday night.

To listen to the full interviews with Todd Donovan and Sheriff Bill Elfo, go to our Podcast page.