County council passes pier resolution

Whatcom County Council unanimously approved a resolution ordering an election for the proposed Point Roberts Special Recreation Pier Service Area at its February 11 meeting.

Before passing the resolution, council chair Dan McShane stated the council could hold the resolution for another 20 days citing speculation about financial responsibilities.

�There is a question of knowing the answer for sure,� council member Barbara Brenner said in agreement. �It won�t change anything on the election to hold it for two weeks to get a definitive answer.�

But council member Sam Crawford said he was against holding it, and said that their attorney made it clear that any financial liability would be on the residents.

The council first reviewed the pier project back in November, after the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce submitted a petition for it to be on the ballot. The pier will cost an estimated $45,000 a year in maintenance, an equivalent of 15 to 17 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value. However, residents would not be paying taxes on the project until after completion.

Funding the project is still ongoing, and the Port of Bellingham has committed to helping find grant funding sources. The pier project has received a federal grant of $40,000 and $10,000 in cash and donations has been used for a biological assessment and feasability study, which are complete.

For more information, call 360-676-6700 or visit www.co.whatcom.wa.us.

An election date has yet to be set.

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