LUMMI ISLAND, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A new ferry district has been established in Whatcom County.

Following an extensive public comment period Tuesday night, the county council approved a ferry district for the Lummi Island Ferry in a 5-2 vote, with Council members Ben Elenbaas and Mike Stremler voting “no.”

The district will have the power to institute a tax on property throughout the county.

The council will vote on the proposed tax levy to fund the Whatcom Chief’s operation in July. Council member John Scanlon told My Bellingham Now that members of the public are encouraged to weigh in on the tax leading up to the vote in written comments, calls, meetings and during the required public hearing.

According to the ordinance, creating the district would change how the funding burden falls in the county. Unincorporated residents contribute to the Road Fund to maintain roads and the Chief, which has seen higher and higher costs as the vessel ages.

County Public Works has argued that the cost of maintaining the Chief falls disproportionately on those residents while city residents benefit from the ferry without contributing as much.

Recent changes to state law around ferry taxing districts allow counties to maintain tax levies for ferries that also transport vehicles.

Scanlon encourages unincorporated county residents to apply for the two vacant positions on the county ferry advisory committee.