BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Plans to move forward with the new jail are continuing to stall within the Whatcom County Council.
The council voted Tuesday morning, May 5, to once again push back final approval of the project’s preliminary budget following a more than 90-minute meeting. Much of the debate focused on whether to prioritize a larger jail or invest more heavily in behavioral health services.
Mayors from Bellingham, Ferndale, Blaine, Everson and Lynden along with several local law enforcement leaders expressed concerns that their voices weren’t being heard. Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund was among those who voiced that frustration.
“It is essential that we have a right-sized jail. And our letter reflects a willingness to collaborate and we feel like we’re far from collaboration right now,” Lund told the council. “The mayors are feeling unheard.”
The current proposal aims to cap spending at $205 million for the jail and $20 million for the behavioral care center, though neither are expected to be a final number. It also lays out a framework for an interlocal agreement between the county and cities before any debt is authorized.
But Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu told council members that he’s fed up with their handling of the project.
“I do not want to be part of this project which is doomed to fail because of the council’s interference,” Sidhu told the council. “The council is making this thing to fail. I will not put my name on a project that is designed to fail just because of political shenanigans.”
Elected officials estimate that each day of delay costs around $40,000.
The council will continue the discussion at its next meeting on Tuesday, May 12.
