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We Are Birch Bay
A statement of who we already are and a belief that our community deserves a voice of its own.
We have a population of over 9,000 people within the Birch Bay Urban Growth Area (larger than Blaine and most incorporated cities and towns across the state).
Birch Bay already has the neighborhoods, utilities, emergency services, parks, businesses, community organizations and infrastructure needs of a small city. What we do not have is a municipal government elected specifically to represent Birch Bay.
Upcoming Community Meeting
Join the Birch Bay Incorporation Association as we take the next steps toward beginning the formal incorporation process. The Steering Committee will review and consider approval of the proposed city boundaries and other key elements needed to move forward.
What Could Local Government Change?
Birch Bay has grown into a thriving residential community with the needs, infrastructure and challenges of a small city. Explore some of the real experiences behind the discussion about local government.
01 Who should make Birch Bay decisions? Sometimes the people most affected by a decision are the last to hear about it.
Birch Bay residents learned shortly before County Council action that a stop sign was being added for uphill traffic at the intersection of Birch Bay Drive and Birch Point Road. The community showed up in force to object, but the decision still moved forward. A city would put decisions about local streets in the hands of representatives elected specifically by Birch Bay residents.
02 Whose projects become priorities? Despite our significant tax contributions, Birch Bay projects compete for resources with projects across the county.
Birch Bay has waited years for planned improvements to its community beach park. What may be a major priority for Birch Bay is only one of many competing priorities in a countywide budget. A city could decide locally how important parks, trails, sidewalks and other community improvements should be.
03 Where should Birch Bay’s revenue go? A growing residential community also generates significant economic activity.
Birch Bay has become a thriving residential community, but tourism is also an important part of our local economy. Hundreds of short term rentals, along with restaurants, other businesses, beaches and parks, bring thousands of visitors into Birch Bay and generate tax revenue. Visitors also increase demand on roads, parks, public safety and other local services. A city could make local decisions about how eligible revenues are reinvested in the community generating them.
04 Could smaller government make community building easier? Sometimes even simple local events become complicated in a large county government system.
Insurance and administrative requirements have made it increasingly difficult for local organizations to hold community events at places like Birch Bay Beach Park or permit activities as simple as community parades. Those requirements might make sense when managing facilities across an entire county, but they can create unnecessary barriers locally. A smaller government focused on Birch Bay could choose to actively partner with community organizations and make community building easier.
05 Could local agencies accomplish more together? Many of Birch Bay’s essential services are already provided locally.
Birch Bay Water and Sewer District, Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management, Blaine Birch Bay Park and Recreation District, Blaine School District, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, Whatcom County Library System, and community organizations such as the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce already serve Birch Bay well. When one of these organizations identifies a need, a city could become another local partner, helping coordinate improvements, pursue grants and move projects forward. Incorporation would not replace these organizations. It could give them a municipal partner focused on the same community.
06 What level of service does Birch Bay want? Service levels involve choices about priorities, costs and what residents value.
Today, law enforcement resources are allocated as part of a Sheriff’s Office responsible for the entire unincorporated county. A future city would determine its own policing model and service level based on what Birch Bay residents are willing to fund. The question would become a local budget decision rather than one piece of a much larger countywide system.
07 Who should plan Birch Bay’s future? Birch Bay is already designated for urban growth, and the county is planning significant additional growth here.
Birch Bay is already an Urban Growth Area, and Whatcom County is planning for significant additional population growth to occur here. In other words, Birch Bay is expected to keep growing and becoming more urban whether we incorporate or not. As a city, decisions about local land use, neighborhoods, transportation and development would increasingly be made by a government accountable specifically to Birch Bay.
08 Who ultimately answers to Birch Bay? Local control also creates a much more direct form of accountability.
As a city, Birch Bay residents would elect representatives whose responsibility is specifically to this community. Those officials would make decisions in public meetings here and adopt a budget focused on Birch Bay. If residents disagree with the direction of their city, they can elect different representatives. The people making Birch Bay decisions would answer directly to Birch Bay voters.
Where Are We in the Process?
Incorporating Birch Bay is a multi-step public process governed by Washington State law. Here is where we are today and what comes next.
✓ Complete 1. Research & Feasibility Study whether incorporation makes sense for Birch Bay. ⌄
Beginning in 2023, BBIA studied population, finances, public services, governance, community priorities and the potential costs and revenues of a future city. Whatcom County also completed an independent incorporation feasibility study.
2 We Are Here 2. Define the Proposed City Finalize boundaries, name and form of government. ⌄
Before formally beginning the incorporation process, the proposal must identify the proposed city’s boundaries, name, classification and form of government. BBIA is currently completing this work.
3 Next 3. File the Notice Formally begin the incorporation process. ⌄
A Notice of Proposed Incorporation is filed with Whatcom County. This formally starts the process and identifies the proposed city, its boundaries and other required information.
4 Future Step 4. Initial Public Meeting The Boundary Review Board holds a public meeting. ⌄
The Whatcom County Boundary Review Board holds a public meeting on the proposed incorporation within 30 days after the notice is filed. Community members both supporting and opposing incorporation may share their views.
5 Future Step 5. Community Petition Birch Bay voters sign the incorporation petition. ⌄
The incorporation petition must be signed by registered voters living within the proposed city equal to at least 10 percent of the registered voters residing there. The petition must be filed within 180 days after the initial public meeting.
6 Future Step 6. Boundary Review The proposal receives formal public review. ⌄
After the petition is certified, the incorporation proposal proceeds through the required public hearing and Boundary Review Board process. The proposed boundaries and other elements of the incorporation are formally reviewed before the proposal can move to voters.
7 Future Step 7. Birch Bay Votes Residents decide whether Birch Bay should become a city. ⌄
If the proposal advances through the review process, incorporation is placed on the ballot. Registered voters within the proposed city make the final decision. A majority of votes cast must support incorporation for the proposal to pass.
8 If Approved 8. Elect City Leaders Voters elect the city’s first officials and the transition begins. ⌄
If incorporation is approved, elections are held for the city’s first elected officials. During the transition period, those officials establish the new government, arrange for services, adopt initial ordinances and prepare the city to begin operations. Washington law provides for the official incorporation date to occur 180 to 360 days after the incorporation vote.
This timeline is a simplified overview of Washington’s municipal incorporation process. Specific procedures and timelines are governed by state law and the Whatcom County Boundary Review Board.
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