In the most recent billing cycle, some Ferndale utility bills were printed with the “Late Notice” language from June 30th. We regret this error.
These bills are the regular notice for the Dec. 31st billing cycle. We have verified that all the rest of the information on the bill is correct, and per Governor Inslee’s order, there are no late fees or shutoffs through April 30th, 2021.
If you have questions about your specific bill, please call or email our utility clerk at 360-384-4269 or utilitybilling@cityofferndale.org.
Purchase a Tile in the New Star Park Picnic Shelter
UPDATE – Purchase Deadline May 14th, 2021
In summer 2021, the City will be constructing a Picnic Shelter adjacent to Star Park. This facility will include picnic tables, a large countertop and sink area with running water and artistic features that match the unique character of Star Park.
The base of the sink area will be covered with 4 x 8 ceramic tiles (picture above, equal to about the size of an average brick). These tiles are now available for purchase.
These tiles will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. If we receive your order after the tiles have been sold, we will return your funds.
Cost will be $50 per tile.
Other opportunities, including sponsorship of picnic tables, will be available at a later time for local businesses.
We are finishing up the 2021 City of Ferndale budget and we want to hear from you! City budgets can be dense documents and we want to get all your questions answered before the City Council has their final public hearing on the budget at the Dec. 7th council meeting.
Post your questions about the budget on the City facebook page or send them in email to Communication Officer Riley Sweeney at rileysweeney@cityofferndale.org and next Monday, Finance Director Sirke Salminen and City Administrator Jori Burnett will answer them live the City’s facebook page.
This document is an initial draft, initially uploaded on October 28th, 2020 and will continue to be updated as part of the budgeting process until it is approved by Council before the end of 2020.
Tonight, at 5:00PM is the first 2021 Budget Workshop with the Ferndale City Council. Staff and council will be reviewing several of the city funds that have little volatility but are an essential part of the city budget.
The public is invited to tune in – the proceedings, like all council meetings, will be livestreamed through Microsoft Teams. No download is necessary to watch, simply click here and it will go live at 5pm.
Here are the documents provided to the council in advance of the meeting. They can also be found on the City’s 2021 Budget page:
The Whatcom County Health Department has two brand new programs to assist with rent payments for those impacted by COVID-19. We urge all residents who need the assistance to reach out early to ensure they can stay in their homes.
Utility Shutoffs Suspended Due to Governor’s Action
In July, the City announced that they were providing increased flexibility for utility customers as shutoffs resumed for the June 30th billing cycle (set to take place on August 19th). Yesterday, Governor Inslee extended a moratorium on utility shutoffs. The City will comply with the Governor’s order and will not proceed with utility shutoffs for the June 30th cycle.
The City strongly encourages utility customers to pay all or some of their utility bill to avoid accumulating a large balance. For utility customers impacted by the pandemic in need of assistance, the Ferndale Community Service Cooperative has established a fund to help with utility bills. For more information on this program, visit their website here: http://ferndalecsc.org/.
Usually this week is when our team would be out doing utility shutoffs due to nonpayment. However, in light of COVID-19, we have suspended late payments and shutoffs for the Feb. 28th and April 30th bills. Making a payment today, even a partial payment, can ensure that the bill does not become unmanageable as we gradually return to normal operations.
If you need financial assistance with your utility bill, the Ferndale Community Service Cooperative has set up a fund to help residents. More details are available here: http://ferndalecsc.org/
After the recent billing irregularities, there was a clear need for the City to follow up with more communication with our utility customers. To that end, utility customers received this “ALL WATER” mailer pictured above recently.
Usually utility mailers are inserted into a billing but the City felt it necessary to put it in the public’s hands as soon as possible so it has arrived on its own. The next utility billing is not until June 30th.
