BIRCH BAY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – More action is being taken in the effort to make Birch Bay its own city.

The Whatcom County Council voted 6-1 at its Tuesday meeting to approve a spending package that includes $150,000 in funding for a feasibility study on Birch Bay’s potential incorporation. It was proposed by the Birch Bay Incorporation Association, a group of citizens advocating for the urban growth area to operate as its city as its population continues to rise.

Several council members expressed their hesitation to fund the study in light of their budget troubles that have led to a hiring freeze within the county.

Council member Ben Elenbaas, whose district includes Birch Bay, says he has heard high demand for the change to be made.

“100% of what folks call and complain to me about is related to the fact that they live in a city, but it doesn’t have the infrastructure or the support of a city,” Elenbaas said.

The new study would update a previous feasibility study from 2008 to get an idea of the potential expenses, timelines, boundaries, benefits and drawbacks of incorporation.

County Executive Satpal Sidhu says he will look for supplemental funding before commissioning the study to ease the burden on the county’s finances.

The study is expected to be finished by mid-2025.