At the January 15 meeting of the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC), members voted to move forward with a new at-large candidate, approved investing district funds, and recognized a departing committee member.
Rhys-Thorvald Hansen was introduced as the remaining candidate for the open at-large seat. Hansen has been living in the Point since 2018 and is involved with the Makers Guild, the new art space through Resilient Point Roberts.
They described their background in food systems work and county collaboration, saying, “I’m hoping to bring my experience … to find more opportunities for positive partnership.”
On handling conflict, Hansen said, “People come engaged in public process because they really care,” adding, “Let’s start on where we do agree.”
The committee voted unanimously to ask the Whatcom County Executive’s Office to proceed with Hansen’s appointment.
PRCAC approved a motion to invest the full $1.2 million balance of the Point Roberts Transportation Benefit District (TBD) fund. The fund comes from a per-gallon gas tax, much of it historically paid by Canadian visitors, and fluctuates with tourism and exchange rates.
Because the fund currently spends less than $10,000 a year, members agreed it should not sit idle. “Nothing worse than lazy money,” said voter’s association representative Allison Calder, “We actually make money on our money.”
The funds will be invested conservatively through the county and can be accessed quickly if needed. Members also discussed raising the gas tax from one cent to two cents per gallon and clarified that any discussion would only be about placing the question on a ballot, not automatically increasing it.
The meeting marked Annelle Norman’s final session as the taxpayers’ representative after four years of service. Her replacement will be Jeff Christopher, who has prior experience with PRCAC.
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