City of Bellingham

State funding only accounts for about 75 percent of Bellingham School District’s capital needs. This election, voters have the opportunity to approve two levy replacements that cover this gap through operations and infrastructure funding.

Bellingham School District Proposition 12 replaces the expiring levy that finances basic school operations expenses by leveraging between approximately $1.20 and $1.27 per $1,000 of assessed property value over the next four years. The owner of a median-priced $675,000 Bellingham home would pay about $850 annually to keep these important resources going for our students.

Bellingham’s school district is a cornerstone of the community, and everyone benefits when our students are safe, happy, and successful at school. If passed, the levy would lower class sizes, provide for arts and athletics programs, support food and wellness services, fund field trips, and pay salaries for educational, health, and other staff. It would also fund special education programs, advanced coursework, and multi-lingual curriculums so that all Bellingham students can be in courses that best serve their needs.

Vote Yes on Bellingham School District Proposition 12 to ensure our students have the fundamental resources for a quality education.

If approved by voters, Bellingham School District Proposition 13 would authorize the replacement of an expiring technology capital projects levy that provides for learning and safety infrastructure.

To prepare Bellingham students for our dynamic and fast-changing world, we need to offer a high-quality education facilitated by modern technology. Keeping our schools up to date with technology infrastructure also helps close equity gaps so that all students have the chance to meet their potential in school.

At an approximate rate between $0.61 and $0.65 per $1,000 of assessed property value over the next four years, the owner of a median-priced $675,000 Bellingham home could expect to pay an average of $425 a year. If Proposition 13 is passed, this revenue would fund areas such as security cameras, school computers, digital resources and subscriptions, special needs adaptive technologies, STEM resources, door-locking systems, classroom technology, and even programs such as robotics and driver’s education.

Vote Yes on Bellingham School District Proposition 13 to renew the technology capital projects levy so that our students have all the tools they need to succeed.

Fire Protection District 8 Proposition 14 authorizes a four-year levy on excess property taxes to replace an expiring levy funding basic maintenance and operations costs.

When a loved one is experiencing a health crisis, the last thing on our minds should be whether or not our firefighters and ambulance services have the funding they need to help. Our community is safer and healthier when we have 24/7 access to emergency crisis response equipped with updated tools and infrastructure.

Last year, the Board of Fire Commissioners of Fire Protection District 8 determined that without additional funding, the fire district cannot continue its current level of emergency medical and fire services. With the current maintenance and operations levy expiring, it is now up to voters to authorize a new levy at an approximate rate of $0.93 per $1,000 in assessed value -- which would cost the owner of a median $575,000 Whatcom home around $535 a year. This would fund necessary improvements and allow staffing and equipment funding to meet community needs. If passed, the levy would cover staffing for the two fire stations for 24 hours a day and replacements for engines, ambulances, and other emergency equipment.

Vote Yes on Fire Protection District Proposition 14 to properly fund emergency services for Marietta and the Lummi Nation on Gooseberry Point.