City Council - Budget and Finance Committee

City of Bellingham Budget and Finance Committee Minutes August 25, 2025, 10:15 AM Mayor: Kimberley Lund Contact: (360) 778-8100, mayorsoffice@cob.org Council Members: Lisa Anderson, Chair Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Daniel Hammill, Michael Lilliquist https://cob.org/council Call to Order Committee Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. Roll Call Present: Committee Chair Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Committee Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Committee Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Standing Committee Meetings: Open to the public to attend. Note: there is generally no public comment period for Committee sessions. Standing Committee Members receive reports and information, ask questions and, when appropriate, vote on a recommended action for consideration by the full Council at the Regular Meeting. The notice of Committee Meetings identified below also serves as notice of Special Meetings of the City Council at the times identified as Council Members who are not members of the committee routinely attend and participate in the Committee Meetings. Committee Chairs give a report of the Committee Meeting at the Regular Meeting in the evening prior to deliberation and formal vote. 24640 1. 2025 Second Quarter Financial Review p. 3 Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, Eric Johnson, Budget & Treasury Manager, and Forrest Longman, Deputy City Administrator, provided an overview of the City's financial position through June 2025. The presentation is available online. Council Members discussed the financial report and outlook and asked questions. 24648 2. A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor To Take All Steps Necessary To Prepare an p. 22 Ordinance or Resolution for Council Consideration that Imposes a Sales Tax of One- Tenth of One Percent As Authorized by Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2015, Adopted by the State Legislature on April 22, 2025 Forrest Longman, Deputy City Administrator, presented the resolution which authorizes the Mayor to prepare for Council's consideration a one-tenth of one percent sales tax increase for criminal justice spending. The State Legislature authorized a fund increase via House Bill 2015 if the City meets the requirement of the Local Law Enforcement Grant Program. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Budget and Finance Committee Minutes Page 1 August 25, 2025  Daniel Hammill moved to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to take all steps necessary to prepare an ordinance or resolution for Council consideration that imposes a sales tax of one- tenth of one percent as authorized by Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2015, adopted by the State Legislature on April 22, 2025, and effective July 7, 2025. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:14 a.m. Budget and Finance Committee Minutes Page 2 August 25, 2025