Posted on November 18, 2024
NOOKSACK — The Nooksack City County met on Monday evening, Nov. 4 to discuss the Nooksack Slough and a likely increase in property taxes.
The City of Nooksack has wanted to dredge the Nooksack Slough for several years and seems to be closer to taking on the task, according to Mayor Kevin Hester.
Nick Palewicz, with consulting firm Freeland and Associates, put together an update on where the city is in the process.
According to Palewicz, they have had a pre-application meeting with Whatcom County to see if the project would be feasible. The county has to provide a fill and grade permit and a Shoreline Conditional Use permit due to the area being outside of city limits.
He said during the meeting it was found that the area between Gillies Road and Sumas River could likely be permitted as a maintenance exemption due to a Shoreline Conditional Use permit that was given in 2006.
However, the river west toward Whispering Meadows was not found to have sufficient information or history to dredge the area.
Recently, the slough was also tested for asbestos, as that would determine what could be done with the material that was dredged. The test results showed no asbestos.
“That was good news for us,” Palewicz said.
According to Palewicz, there are about 1,200-cubic yards of materials that would be dredged from area that will need to either be spread in the area or hauled away.
The land is privately owned, so the next steps would include getting the private landowners permission to come on for the work and possibly spreading the material that is dredged.
Hester said permission likely won’t be an issue, to which Palewicz agreed.
“Everyone seems to be pretty for it, for the project,” he said.
Hester said he would like to see the river dredged this coming summer as September and August usually provide the best time frame.
Palewicz said in order to make that time frame permits would need to be filed as soon as possible.
City Planning Consultant Rollin Harper said he is unaware of any outside funding the City would be able to go for to help carry the cost. This means it would need to be a priority for the 2025 budget.
Hester said the city still has some American Rescue Plan Act funds it needs to obligate by the end of the year.
“Whether it’s ARPA funds or general funds I think it’s important to our city,” he said.
During the meeting, council also discussed a proposed property tax increase.
A public hearing was held on the increase, but no comment was given.
The property tax levy will be for $10,572.50, which is a 6% increase from the previous year. The increase includes the annual 1% allowable, in addition to any property tax resulting from new construction and improvements to property and any increase in the value of state-assessed property.
A decision to vote on the increase was put off until council’s next meeting, scheduled for Nov. 18.
