AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy – current member is eligible to reapply.  The committee meets periodically to provide guidance to the County regarding making its facilities and programs accessible to those with disabilities. The committee also reviews the ADA coordinator’s complaint resolution decisions and makes necessary recommendations for improvements to accessibility. Members meet as needed; three-year term. Executive-appointed.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2 Vacancies – current members are eligible to reapply. Positions are for a Substance Use Disorder Advocate and a Mental Health Recovery Advocate. The Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Whatcom County Health Department, advising on general priorities for behavioral health programs, including substance use disorders and mental health services. The board membership is composed of residents who reflect minority groups and the diversity within the community. Meets on a quarterly basis; three-year term. Executive-appointed.

BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2 Vacancies – 1 current member is eligible to reapply.  The committee assists the county in the planning, funding, development and implementation of facilities and programs that will result in the increased safety and use of bicycle and pedestrian travel as a significant and beneficial mode of transportation and recreation.  Members meet monthly; four-year term. Executive-appointed. 

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
3 Vacancies, 1 current member eligible to reapply, 3-year terms. Applicants must live in County Council District 1, 3 or 5. The Board ensures that all properties are valued at 100% of market value. The Board may equalize property values by either lowering or raising land/building assessments. The Board generally meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with occasional Tuesday meetings as the caseload requires. Members receive $75 per diem for attending hearings.  Council-appointed. 

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
2 Vacancies – current members are eligible to reapply. Applicant must have been a resident of Whatcom County for the past two years and cannot hold a salaried public office. The Commission creates and administers the rules and regulations for personnel administration in the County Sheriff’s office.  The Commission shall do practical testing for persons to determine the capacity to perform duties that a person may be appointed to perform.  The Commission shall investigate, report on, and hold hearings on all matters regarding the administration of personnel. The Commission shall determine appeals or complaints respecting the allocation of personnel positions. Meets monthly; six-year term. Executive-appointed.

CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM (CEP) OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
5 Vacancies – 2 farmer positions, 1 farm-supporting business, 1 non-farmer incorporated, 1 non-farmer unincorporated. 3 current members eligible to reapply.  This committee provides oversight and evaluation of the Conservation Easement Program for Whatcom County. The program enhances the protection of the County's farmland, forestland, and ecological areas, enhances the long-term viability of agricultural and forestry enterprises within the County and provides public benefit by retaining properties in permanent resource use. Members meet monthly, as needed and serve a four-year term. Executive-appointed.

COUNTY APPEALS BOARD
1 Vacancy – applicant must be a member of one of the construction trades (building, structural, architectural, plumbing, engineering, or mechanical). This Board receives and rules on appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the building official and/or fire marshal relative to the application and interpretation of the building construction and maintenance codes as adopted by the county, with responsibility to publish all findings. Board members meet as needed and serve three-year terms. Executive-appointed.

DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC)
4 Vacancies – 2 current members eligible to reapply.  Applicants must have professional expertise that relates to development standards.  The TAC (1) reviews and recommends, for County Executive consideration, all proposed new, and proposed revisions to, Whatcom County Development Standards, and (2) hears and recommends, for subsequent County Executive consideration, appeals to Technical Administrator Final Decisions.  The TAC operates to ensure compliance with land use regulations and comprehensive plans.  Seven members meet as needed and serve a maximum of two 2-year terms. Executive-appointed.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES BOARD
1 Vacancy. Applicant position is for an individual with a developmental disability. The Board shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Whatcom County Health Department; it provides recommendations related to services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Board members meet the 4th Monday every other month and serve three-year terms. Executive-appointed.

DRAYTON HARBOR SHELLFISH PROTECTION DISTRICT
2 vacancies, 1 current member eligible to reapply, 4-year terms. Members must have a direct interest in the shellfish protection district. Duties are to advise the County Council on the proposed actions and operations relating to the restoration of water quality in the Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District. Meets quarterly. Council-appointed.

FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
7 Vacancies, various terms

• 3 Vacancies representing Geographic Areas, 2 current members eligible to reapply, 4-year terms
• 2 Vacancies representing Impacted Cities, current members eligible to reapply, 1-year terms
• 2 Vacancies representing Special Districts, current members eligible to reapply, 1-year terms
• Any person interested in serving on the advisory committee may be appointed as an alternate for a term of six years. Alternate members shall be notified of each meeting and are encouraged to attend.

Committee assists and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in performing flood damage repairs, maintenance and improvements, and minimizing future flood damage through prevention and management on the Nooksack River, its watershed, and the other watersheds within Whatcom County. Meets the second Thursday of the month or as needed. Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors-appointed

FOOD SYSTEM COMMITTEE
4 Vacancies.  Positions are fishing industry rep, Labor issues rep, Whatcom Food Network rep and export sales farming rep. The committee’s purpose is to draft, implement, provide oversight for, and regularly update a county-wide food system plan to strengthen our local and regional food system.  Nine members meet monthly; four-year term. Executive-appointed.

FORESTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
9 Vacancies, 4-year terms. Applicants must represent one of the following: a small forest landowner, a commercial forest landowner (or qualified designee), a forest harvester, a forest product manufacturer, or a citizen with forestry expertise. The Forestry Advisory Committee review issues that affect the forestry industry and makes recommendations to the Whatcom County Council. The committee also provides a forum for all sectors of the forestry community to contribute to discussions on the future of forestry in Whatcom County. Meets monthly as needed. Council-appointed.

HORTICULTURE PEST AND DISEASE BOARD
2 Vacancies, 2 current members eligible to reapply, 2-year terms. The Board is created to enable Whatcom County to more effectively control and prevent the spread of horticultural pests and diseases. Members shall be residents of the county, shall own land within the county and shall be engaged in the primary and commercial production of a horticultural product or products. The Board shall have the following powers and duties. 1. Receive complaints, 2. Inspect 3. Enforce 4. Employ persons and purchase goods and equipment as necessary, 5. Educate the public, and 6. Administrate. Meets quarterly. Council-appointed

(WHATCOM COUNTY) HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1 Vacancy. Position is for a housing advocate representative with some knowledge, experience, and familiarity with current housing issues. This advisory group is responsible for reviewing and evaluating proposed uses of SHB 2060 and 1406 funds and charged with making recommendations to the County Council. The funding directly assists people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Meets every other month; three-year term. Executive-appointed. 

INCARCERATION PREVENTION AND REDUCTION TASK FORCE
2 Vacancies. 4-year terms. Must represent Health and Social Services Provider. The IPR Task Force continually reviews Whatcom County’s criminal justice and behavioral health programs and makes recommendations to safely and effectively reduce incarceration of individual struggling with mental illness and chemical dependency, minimize jail utilization by pretrial defendants who can safety be released, and identify, examine, and recommend implementing programs and policies that focus on intervention and prevention strategies that are pursuant to incarceration. Meets monthly.  Subcommittees meet quarterly or monthly. Council-appointed.

JUSTICE PROJECT - STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (Public Health, Safety, and Justice Facility Needs Assessment) 5 Vacancies:  

• 3 Citizen – Criminal Justice Advocate positions. 
• 1 Citizen - Behavioral Health Advocate (mental health and substance use disorder) 
• 1 Individual with lived experience in the criminal justice system

One-year terms. The Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) is a 36-member committee that guides the development of the Justice Project. SAC members act as liaisons to the communities they represent and share feedback at SAC meetings. The SAC helps build a plan that is reflective of community values. Meets monthly over the next year. More information about this project is available on the project webpage. Council-appointed.

LUMMI ISLAND FERRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
5 Vacancies, 2 current members eligible to reapply, 3-year term. Vacancy is for a member who does not live on or own property on Lummi Island. The Committee provides review and recommendations to the County Council and Executive on issues that affect the ongoing operations and infrastructure of ferry service to Lummi Island. Review includes: proposed changes to ferry operations and fares; an annual review of the ferry fund; demands of and improvements to ferry services; and ferry replacement options. Meets monthly. Council-appointed.

LYNDEN/EVERSON FLOOD CONTROL SUBZONE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
3 Vacancies, 1 current member eligible to reapply, 4-year terms. Applicants must live within the subzone boundary. The Committee is an integral part of the program reviewing the Comprehensive Plan for flood control, discusses and recommends budget appropriation, and is a liaison with the public at meetings. The Committee has special meetings throughout the year as needed. Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors-appointed 

MARINE RESOURCES COMMITTEE
4 Vacancies – 3 current members eligible to reapply.  Applicant positions include economic interest, recreational, conservation/environmental interest and citizen at large.  The Committee, guided by sound science and the needs of the Northwest Strait marine ecosystem, and consideration for the citizens of Whatcom County, will address local marine issues and recommend remedial action to local authorities.  The committee will build awareness of issues, and gather support for remedies. Members meet monthly on the first Thursday and serve four-year terms. Executive-appointed.

OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
5 Vacancies, 1 current member eligible to reapply, 4-year terms. The Open Space Advisory Committee advises the County Assessor in implementing assessment guidelines as established by the State Department of Revenue, for the assessment of open space, farms and agricultural lands, and timber lands. Meets annually. Council-appointed.

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
1 Vacancy (District 3)– current member eligible to reapply. This Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the County Executive and the Parks & Recreation Department on issues related to county parks and recreation. Meets third Thursday of each month; four-year term. Executive-appointed.

 PLANNING COMMISSION
3 Vacancies, 2 current members eligible to reapply, 4-year terms. Applicants must be a resident of County Council Districts 4 or 5. The Planning Commission shall assist the Planning & Development Services Department in carrying out its duties, including assistance in the preparation and execution the comprehensive plan and recommendations to the department for the adoption of official controls and/or amendments.  The Commission shall conduct hearings as required under RCW 36.70, and shall make findings and conclusions that shall be transmitted to the Planning and Development Services Department and County Council. The Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month in the evenings. Council-appointed. 

POINT ROBERTS COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2 Vacancies -At Large Citizen positions – 1 current member eligible to reapply.  The committee was created to provide advice and recommendations to the County Executive and the County Council regarding needs and issues specific to the Point Roberts community.  Meets monthly; two-year term. Executive-appointed.