# Bellingham City Council Special Meeting (Budget Work Session): November 2nd, 2026


**Body:** City of Bellingham, Washington
**Date:** November 03, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Information Technology, Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding


The Bellingham City Council held a special 2027 budget work session on November 2, 2026, covering Public Works, Parks, the library and museum, the Council Office, and the capital budget. Public Works outlined about $105 million in budgeted investment for infrastructure, environmental remediation, and transportation, including about $25 million for transportation and parking. Plans include water and sewer work, stormwater improvements, fish-barrier removal, safety and pedestrian projects, and major roadway projects. The discussion also covered a planned bond issue of about $40 million and the distinction between operating expenses and capital-project accounting. The capital plan includes the ongoing Cornwall and RG Haley cleanup, a federal building remodel, and transportation projects supported in part by grants. Parks reported a completed $700,000 state-funded lighting project at Joe Martin, a $2 million property-acquisition budget, and planned improvements including nearly $800,000 in park impact fee and Greenways funding for Happy Valley. The library’s central renovation is expected to be funded through state grants, real estate excise tax, private fundraising, and federal funds, without general-fund contributions; its construction bid award was scheduled to come before Council on November 16, not awarded at this meeting.

The Council also reviewed planned technology spending, including consultant and staff support to complete Workday implementation, GIS cloud deployment, permitting-system accessibility work, and cybersecurity testing, with IT capital spending reduced to about half its typical level because of revenue constraints and higher equipment costs. Museum budget changes included ending the museum-store operation as a major expense while retaining limited exhibition-related sales. Council approved a motion to adopt the presented capital-budget changes and corrections; no vendor or contract award was made during the meeting. Other procurement-relevant discussion included consultant negotiations for a parks wayfinding project and a planned commercial-use permit process for businesses operating in parks.

**Source:** City of Bellingham, Washington