WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County is making a push for more transparency surrounding any potential tax hikes.

The Whatcom County Council voted unanimously at their meeting on Tuesday, July 14, to pass a resolution requiring extra public notice before the council considers any action to increase taxes or fees.

Councilmember Mark Stremler said he proposed the idea after the council’s recent move to create a new ferry district drew surprise from his constituents.

Public notice will now be given via the county council website, the council’s social media accounts and press releases to local media outlets.

Councilmember Ben Elanbaas spoke in favor of the change, but noted that it’s still the public’s responsibility to keep themselves informed.

“We can say as much as we want and put out as much as we want, if people aren’t looking and listening and hearing it,” Elenbaas said at the meeting. “But as long as we’re doing our best to control our side of things, and I think this is an attempt to do better.”

There were five topics on the council agenda in 2025 that would have required public notice under the new resolution. Four of those passed a council vote.