Whatcom County residents will have a chance to talk directly with their elected officials next month as the County Council kicks off its 2026 Community Conversations series. The first event of the year is scheduled for Thursday, May 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Fairhaven Library, located at 1117 12th Street in Bellingham. Councilmembers Barry Buchanan, Kaylee Galloway, and Jon Scanlon will be on hand to share updates from county government and answer questions from community members.
The Community Conversations series was launched in 2025 as a way for the County Council to connect with residents outside of the formal structure of official council meetings. At regular council sessions, public comment is time-limited and constrained by procedural rules. The Community Conversations format is intentionally informal -- a small, rotating group of councilmembers visits a local library or community center to talk with residents in a setting that feels more accessible. Each event in the series features different councilmembers, allowing the full council to participate across the year.
Council Vice Chair Jon Scanlon emphasized the importance of direct community input to the council's work. "It's important to our work on Council to hear directly from the community," Scanlon said in the county's announcement. "These conversations help shape our policies and guide our priorities so we can provide the best possible service to the residents of this county." The May 7 event represents the first opportunity in 2026 for county residents to participate in the series.
Fairhaven is a fitting location for the kickoff event. The historic neighborhood at the south end of Bellingham has a long tradition of civic engagement and community activism. The Fairhaven Library, part of the Whatcom County Library System, is a central gathering place for the neighborhood and surrounding areas. It offers ample parking and is accessible via city bus routes, making it an easy destination for residents across the county's southern district.
The county has indicated that additional events are planned for all five County Council districts throughout 2026, with dates and locations to be announced separately. The rotating format ensures that residents in different parts of Whatcom County -- from Bellingham to Lynden to Ferndale to the rural eastern communities -- have opportunities to participate closer to home. The county will announce future events through its official newsflash system and on the Whatcom County website.
For residents who have questions about county services, ongoing projects, land use decisions, budget priorities, or any other county government matter, the May 7 event is an open invitation to show up and ask. The format is conversational, not a formal hearing, so attendees can expect a more relaxed exchange than what typically happens in the council chambers at the Whatcom County Courthouse. No registration is required -- the event is open to anyone who wants to attend.
County Council meetings themselves are held regularly and are open to the public, but the setting can feel intimidating for residents who are not accustomed to local government processes. The Community Conversations series is designed to lower that barrier. Residents do not need to prepare formal remarks or submit written public comment -- they can simply show up, listen, and talk with their representatives.
The May 7 event runs from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Fairhaven Library, 1117 12th Street, Bellingham. The county will post updates about future Community Conversations events on its newsflash page. Residents who cannot attend in person but want to stay informed about county government can also subscribe to county news updates directly through the county's website.
