WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County’s biennial budget faces a crucial vote tonight.

The County Council is expected to vote on the finalized 2025 to 2026 budget at their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

Over $280 million is expected to keep Whatcom County running through property and retail sales taxes.

It’s a sharp increase from the current biennium budget of $238 million, but County Executive Satpal Sidhu says it’s enough to keep current services functioning.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that Sidhu was looking to keep the 2025-26 biennium “fiscally tight” in light of recent financial setbacks. In July, the county instituted a 90-day hiring freeze due to a $15 million budget deficit.

County Executive Satpal Sidhu attributed the deficit to declines in revenue, an increase in hiring for criminal justice roles and the end of other funding sources.