City of Bellingham Proposition 2026-06: Salary commission sets the mayor's salary
Source: results.votewa.gov
What does this measure do?
This changes Bellingham's city charter (the city's basic rules) so an independent salary commission sets the mayor's pay. It drops the rule that the mayor must earn at least as much as the highest-paid city worker, and it does not change any tax.
Read the official ballot measure
Proposed by: Bellingham City Council (Resolution 2026-17)
The city's elected council. It proposed this change to the city charter (the city's rulebook) so an independent panel sets the mayor's pay. Charter changes need voter approval.
Source: bellingham.municipal.codes
A YES vote means
An independent salary commission, which already sets city council pay, would set the mayor's pay. The mayor would no longer have to earn at least as much as the highest-paid city worker.
A NO vote means
The city charter keeps the rule that the mayor must earn at least as much as the highest-paid city worker. The mayor's pay keeps going up automatically when top city staff pay goes up.
No financial records found for this ballot measure.
Source: cascadiadaily.com
Sources: whatcomcounty.us2