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Whatcom County warns of potential layoffs amid ‘unsustainable’ budget shortfall

4 weeks ago in Business, Government, Local

Photo: Contributed/Dave Walker

WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County is weighing layoffs and other cost-cutting measures amid a budget crunch.

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu said in an email to county employees Monday, May 4, that the county’s budget deficit is unsustainable and needs to be addressed.

As a result, Sidhu said the county is considering layoffs and schedule adjustments as they prepare for the 2027-2028 spending plan. He added that the county is also evaluating long-term changes to align programs and services with available funding, priorities and policy obligations.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that the county ended a roughly six-month long hiring freeze in February 2025 and since then has not made any budget-related layoffs.

The Executive’s Office team will be giving an update on the county’s finances at the next county council meeting on Tuesday, May 12.

The Bellingham Herald was the first to report on Sidhu’s internal email to county employees.

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