Brian Sullivan's eNewsletter
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
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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
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.
Everett
Everett Makers Market Mi Amor Edition
February 10, 2018 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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
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
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
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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