LYNDEN, Wash. – The following are based on the minutes published January 28, 2026, from the Lynden City Council meeting held on January 5, 2026.
- Emergency Declaration for Nooksack River Flooding: The Council passed a resolution (RES-26-1139) declaring an emergency due to heavy rainfall that caused major flooding of the Nooksack River adjacent to the city. The declaration ratified the Mayor’s immediate authorization of repairs to a slope failure on 18th Street, which were performed by DeKoster Excavating to stabilize transportation and utility infrastructure.
- Confirmation of New Police Chief: The Council voted 5-0 to confirm Mayor Korthuis’s appointment of Jeremy Bos as the new Police Chief.
- New Police Union Contracts Approved: Following a closed-door session, the Council approved 2026-2028 collective bargaining agreements with both the Lynden Police Officers Guild and the Lynden Public Safety Support Services Guild.
- Housing and Childcare Code Updates: The Council set a public hearing for January 20, 2026, to discuss amendments to development regulations. These changes aim to reduce hurdles for housing construction and facilitate childcare opportunities. The minutes note that the City missed the State’s adoption deadline of December 31, 2025, and is now pursuing the amendments efficiently in the new year.
- Council Appointments and Oaths:
- Kyle Strengholt (Position #6) and Mark Wohlrab (Position #7) took their oaths of office.
- Gary Bode was selected as the Mayor Pro Tem for 2026.
- Mayor Korthuis was appointed to the Whatcom Council of Governments (WCOG) and Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) Board of Directors.
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