BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Voters in Ferndale will get to weigh in on the city’s first initiative this fall.

If it’s passed, Initiative 25-01 would eliminate so-called “junk fees” for renters in Ferndale.

The initiative was submitted to the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office in March and is similar to an ordinance recently passed by the City of Bellingham, which My Bellingham Now reported on in June.

As defined in the initiative, those junk fees would include payments to use in-unit appliances, mail services, and common areas.

It would also cap application fees at $50.

Sponsors of the initiative argue its passage is necessary, as more people in Ferndale are struggling to make ends meet.

The City of Ferndale is now looking for volunteers to write pro and con statements ahead of the November election.

Applications to write the statements are due by July 27.