County seeking to fill board and commission vacancies

To ring in the new year, the Whatcom County Council and Executive offices announced a swath of vacancies for board, committee and commission positions, and is inviting the public to apply.

With over 100 vacant positions across 35 county advisory organizations, county government is hoping to get the word out about what entities need help, and who is qualified to apply. Most advisory boards require members to have knowledge of the topic they are advising, work in the specific industry, or be a resident of the geographic area they advise.

There are two types of advisory committees, council-appointed positions, and executive-appointed positions. Council-appointed positions are meant to workshop and recommend specific policy decisions for councilmembers, while executive-appointed positions are meant to advise the county executive, said Jed Holmes, community outreach facilitator for the Executive’s Office.

Holmes said that end of calendar years are a standard time to see an uptick in vacancies as terms expire. Most applications are due 10 a.m. January 2, 2024, and all applicants must live in and be registered to vote in Whatcom County. Applications can be found at bit.ly/3tlu291.

Here is a sampling of some board, commission and committee vacancies relevant to the Blaine and Birch Bay area.

Agricultural Advisory Committee: six vacancies, one current member eligible to reapply. Positions are open for people working in agricultural production and processing, and representatives from Whatcom Family Farmers, a local farmer interest group. Thirteen-member committee meets monthly from October through April in four-year terms.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Committee: two vacancies. Members meet quarterly, serving three-year terms to resolve ADA complaints and make recommendations to the executive on accessibility improvements.

Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee: three vacancies, one current member eligible to reapply. Members meet monthly, serving four-year terms advising executive on increasing safety and use of bicycle and pedestrian travel.

Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management District Advisory Committee: two vacancies, one current member eligible to reapply. Members must reside in Birch Bay Watershed subzone or “represent an employer rate-payer with a site within the subzone.” Four-year term advising council on Birch Bay stormwater program.

Business and Commerce Advisory Committee: two vacancies. One must represent the childcare industry, and another, non-voting, position must represent K-12 public education. Committee meets monthly, advising council on regulations and policies that impact local economic development.

Climate Impact Advisory Committee: six vacancies, three current members eligible to apply. 3-year term, meeting monthly to review and recommend actions to council on adapting to impacts of climate change. Council prefers previous experience in climate change, renewable energy and municipal government planning.

Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District: Four vacancies, one current member eligible to reapply. Two positions are four-year terms, one term ends February 2025, another ends February 2027. Meets quarterly, advising council on restoration of water quality in Drayton Harbor. Members must have direct interest in shellfish protection.

Marine Resources Committee: eight vacancies, one of which is a City of Blaine elected official position. Members meet monthly, serving a four-year term advising executive on local marine issues.

Veterans Advisory Board: three vacancies with two current members eligible to reapply. Only veterans are eligible to serve on board. Monthly meetings, four-year term advising council and executive on the needs of local needy veterans and their families.

The county is also seeking applicants for the following boards and commissions:

Boundary Review Board, Board of Equalization, Child and Family Well-being Task Force, Conservation Easement Program Oversight Committee, County Appeals Board, Criminal Justice Treatment Account Panel, Development Standards Technical Advisory Committee, Developmental Disabilities Board, Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee, Food System Committee, Horticulture Pest and Disease Board, Housing Advisory Committee, Housing Authority, Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force, Northwest Senior Services Board, Noxious Weed Control Board, Open Space Advisory Committee, Planning Commission, Public Health Advisory Board, Solid Waste Advisory Committee and Wildlife Advisory Committee.