Port of Bellingham votes in favor of expanding number of commissioners

The Port of Bellingham Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 to expand its membership, paving the way for voters to decide on the issue in the upcoming November election. Bobby Briscoe, who opposed the measure, stressed the need for more public input and voiced concerns about financial constraints. He stated, “There’s a lot of things that haven’t been vetted yet that need to be talked about. ” In contrast, Carly James, a challenger for the district two seat, reported that constituents overwhelmingly supported the addition of more commissioners. Port Attorney Holly Stafford clarified that a yes vote was essential to place the expansion proposal on the ballot.

If the commissioners had voted against it, a second general election would delay the process until late 2027. Ken Bell, who advocates for the expansion, highlighted communication challenges in the current structure. Voters in the western portion of Whatcom County will have the opportunity to weigh in on this decision in November.