Snohomish County Council News - District 2 - Brian Sullivan

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News from Brian Sullivan

February 2018

Brian Sullivan's eNewsletter

Sullivan

Snohomish County Council
3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 609
Everett, Washington 98201
 
 8th floor, Robert J. Drewel Building 
Phone: 425-388-3494
E-Mail: Brian.Sullivan@snoco.org

 

Robert Knoll, Legislative Aide


In this eNewsletter, I focus on the strategies and proposals I brought forth to accomplish the 0% property tax increase for the 2018 budget.  As always, I'm humbled and honored to be your representative.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with your issues and concerns.


Council Adopts My Proposal on Personnel Costs

I’m pleased to report to you that one of the first ordinances adopted in the New Year was my proposal to enact a restricted hiring ordinance here at the County. Personnel costs are by far the largest share of general fund expenditure, with salaries, benefits and payroll taxes accounting for 70-80% of costs to that fund. The adopted ordinance will give the Council a critical tool to control general fund expenditures at a time when revenue growth continues to lag behind expenditure growth.

Although “hiring freezes” have been adopted in the past, this measure stops short of that. Under this ordinance, we will require a collaborative process for hiring of the highest-paid County positions should they become vacant. County departments and elected offices will work with the Council to determine the necessity of filling vacant positions on a case-by-case basis.

The Council unanimously adopted a “no new taxes” budget, and though I believe this was the right approach, County costs continue to outpace our revenue growth, even in our strong economy. I believe the Council must take proactive steps throughout the year, not just during the budget process, to ensure our long-term fiscal health. We can’t continue to fill highly-paid management level positions automatically and this ordinance ensures a thorough review for new hires.


Additional Strategies for Financial Management

financial

I believe that Council needs to take a more proactive approach to managing the County’s fiscal position in order to maintain long-term sustainability. Along those lines, I have several other proposed ordinances, three of which will have public hearings on this month. If adopted, these will control costs by reforming our balance reserve policies for the general fund, create a revenue forecasting group, eliminate merit pay increases for management exempt positions, and create alternative platforms for customer payments.

The revenue forecast group will help ensure that the Executive and Council are on the same page when it comes time to set budget priorities. Researchers have found that a critical benefit of ensuring that the executive and legislative branches agree on the official revenue estimate used in the proposed budget is limiting unnecessary debate on forecast accuracy and allowing policymakers more time to focus on the important policy changes in the budget.

I hope to continue working on these savings strategies, and I always welcome your input on the budget or ways to improve County government. 


District 2 Events

Everett

Everett Makers Market
Mi Amor Edition

February 10, 2018   
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Mi Amor

Nothing says love like a sweet something-something made by our local makers. We have cards, plants, confections, candles, art, oils, jewelry and more. The Scuttlebutt Taproom & Brewery will have a great selection of beverages to enjoy while you shop.  Grub will be provided by a tasty food truck and we’ll have a styled photo drop for some sweet photos where you can construct an Original Valentine!

Vendors:
Oolivia Studio
Val Flynn Pottery
BookGrain
Vertical Gardens Northwest
Squirrel Vs. Coyote
All Oil Everything
Aesir Meadery
The Art of Rosemary
JES Design Studio
Whiskey Knits


Everett Philharmonic That Magnificent Mozart Concert

February 11, 2018
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Mozart

This all Mozart concert, conducted by Dr. Paul-Elliott Cobbs, includes the Overture to La Clemenza di Tito, Bassoon Concerto in B-flat Major--featuring Steven Morgan, bassoonist, and Symphony #31 (Paris.)

The audience is invited to a reception following the concert. The concert and reception are at Everett's First Presbyterian Church, 2936 Rockefeller.


Mukilteo

The 1934 MacRobertson Air Race

February 24, 2018   
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Mukilteo Flight

In October, 1934, the Royal Aero Club sponsored a race from London to Melbourne (approximately 11,300 miles) with the prize of $75,000 provided by Sir Macpherson Robertson. Other than five compulsory stops (Baghdad, Allahabad, Singapore, Darwin and Charleville, Queensland), the competitors could choose their own routes. Three purpose-build de Havilland DH.88 Comet racers joined seventeen other entrants with the winner crossing the finish line in under three days. Join Boeing Archivists John Fredrickson and Mike Lombardi to hear the entire story including rich annecdotes about challenges along the way.

10719 Bernie Webber Dr, Mukilteo.


Tulalip

Workshop with Patty Stonefish

Sunday, February 11, 2018
1:00 PM

Tulalip

Patty Stonefish, Lakota, Arming Sisters and Reawakening Warriors Founder Self-Defense Mechanisms

Event Location: HCC Longhouse Room

Patty Stonefish and her organization travel coast to coast giving traditional self-defense methods to reawaken and re-empower Indigenous communities.

This event is included in the cost of admission.


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