FERNDALE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Voters in Ferndale are seeing some weighty resistance to the city’s first-ever citizen initiative next month.
The Ferndale City Council voted 5-2 on Monday night to formally oppose the initiative on the November general election ballot that would eliminate so-called “junk fees” for renters.
My Bellingham Now previously reported that the measure would prohibit payments to use in-unit appliances, mail services and common areas, and cap application fees at $50.
The council’s resolution to oppose says banning those fees would hurt small landlords and could make it harder for them to perform key services, such as timely maintenance and safety measures.
Council member Jon Mutchler voted to oppose the initiative, citing concerns over the council’s inability to amend it if it’s approved.
“We can do better than what’s coming at us and, if this thing passes, we’re stuck with it,” Mutchler said at the meeting. “I think it disincentivizes the building of affordable housing, mainly apartments, and I think it also raises rents too.”
But council member Ryan O’Larey said feedback he received from his constituents from informed his decision to vote against opposing the initiative.
“I didn’t survey whether people were for or against this, I just surveyed whether or not they wanted council to weigh in on it, and it was pretty overwhelming that they didn’t want council to weigh in on this issue and just leave it up to the voters,” O’Larey said. “Regardless of what we do, this is going to be on the ballot.”
It comes as Ferndale voters will also decide on races for two city council seats in November, while O’Larey is running unopposed.
