Terry Ryan'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: Terry.Ryan@snoco.org
Pam Pruitt, Legislative Aide
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County Budget Passes
The County Council passed our $983 Million 2019 Budget on November 19th with a unanimous 5 - 0 vote.
Budget Highlights:
- Council passed a balanced, fiscally responsible budget with no property tax increase.
- Added five new Deputy Sheriff positions for increased public safety.
- Added one new domestic violence investigator for our Prosecutor’s office.
- We continued our efforts to stabilize Snohomish County’s finances by increasing our General Fund balance for liquidity and fiscal health.
- We increased the “Revenue Stabilization Fund” to over $2.5 million (Council began this fund in our 2017 budget). Council can only access these funds in an emergency and it requires a minimum of four County Councilmembers to access the funds.
- Designated $2 million for a new South County Sheriff’s Precinct at Cathcart.
- Invested more funds for programs designed to help people out of homelessness.
- Continuing our efforts to combat the opioid epidemic affecting all our communities.
Thank you to all our Councilmembers, analysts and staff for working together to pass this budget!
We were all eager to avoid the pitfalls of last year’s budget battle between the Council and the Executive, so we made a change to our process. Late last year Councilmember Sullivan and Carol Tabor (one of our analysts) recommended that Council and the Executive’s office agree on the County’s revenue forecast before the Executive’s staff began work on their recommended 2019 budget. (This is in addition to Council establishing fund balance minimums for our General Fund reserves and Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) funds beginning with the 2017 budget.) I appreciate the Executive agreeing with the Council on this.
By adding revenue projections to Council’s established fund balance minimums, we created the bookends needed to avoid the annual conflict over whose numbers were accurate. This also helped us avoid excessive last-minute spending requests that were outside of the Council parameters. Be assured that all of us are working together to use our resources wisely.
Holiday Thank You!
Christmas is a great time to cherish and give thanks to all those who bring so many blessings to our lives. Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers in our county, cities, churches, charitable organizations, food banks and youth leagues who make Snohomish County a special place to live. Our county is truly stronger and a better place to live because you chose to get involved, making a positive difference in others’ lives!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone! Be safe, have fun, spend time with your family and friends. May God bless you and your families! All my best, Terry Ryan
As we enter the holiday season, I’d like to express my personal appreciation for all our first responders working to keep us safe.
For the past 20 years, I have cooked a Thanksgiving Day dinner for our Mill Creek firefighters. It is an honor to cook for these brave public servants.
Please remember those on 24 hour duty and away from their homes so we can safely spend time with our friends and family. We are blessed to have a great fire department.
Moody’s Investor Services issued their bond rating and the good news is we were upgraded from AA2 to AA1. This is a big deal in as much as this will lower our borrowing costs and is an affirmation from a respected outside third party to the work we have collectively done in improving our overall fiscal health.
S&P has also issued their rating and recently made it public too. They simply reaffirmed our AA+ status.
Officially for both rating agencies, we are now only one step below the highest coveted rating of AAA.
Courtesy of Economic Alliance of Snohomish County
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) returned to its homeport of Naval Station Everett on November 21. While on deployment Shoup supported the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) and participated in Valiant Shield 2018. OMSI is a Secretary of Defense initiative aimed at diminishing transnational illegal activity on the high seas in the Pacific Island nations of Oceania's exclusive economic zones and enhancing regional security and interoperability with partner nations.
Snohomish County’s Historic Preservation Grant Program is currently accepting applications from public and nonprofit agencies for 2019. The County has $100,000 available in grant funding for historic preservation projects in 2019. Applications are due January 11, 2019.
Grant funds can be used to improve the availability of historic information including digitization of newspapers and historical texts, increase accessibility to historical documents through websites, help with the purchase of software and the creation of educational programs. Grants can also be used to restore historic structures and improve access to historic sites.
In 2018, the grant program supported over 20 projects in Snohomish County. The grants helped preserve the Startup Events Center, work on the historic Lynnwood Water Tower, the digitizing of newspapers to aid research, supported the development of historical exhibits for tourism and aided the development of historical books for education.
Applications are available online here or by contacting Hal Gausman, Snohomish County Parks Cultural Resource Manager, at (360) 805-6729 or by email at Hal.Gausman@snoco.org.
Bothell
Santa's Reindeer at Country Village
November 11 - December 25
12 PM - 8 PM
FREE
Country Village
23718 Bothell Everett Highway
Bothell, WA 98021
Snowflake Creation Station
Every Saturday and Sunday
11 AM - 4 PM
Country Village
23718 Bothell Everett Hwy
Bothell, WA 98021
Come make a new craft every weekend throughout the season:
Dec 1 & 2 Garlands for the Tree
Dec 8 & 9 Fairy, Snowman & Soldier Ornaments
Dec 15 & 16 Ornament Making
Dec 22 & 23 Plate for Santa's Cookies
Country Village Santa Arrival & Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 1
5 PM - 7 PM
Country Village
23718 Bothell Everett Hwy
Bothell, WA 98021
It’s a holiday wonderland at Country Village with live reindeer, caroling by local quartets all day long, a whimsical gingerbread house display, surprise visit by the Grinch, and 35 local shops and restaurants all decked out in their best with thousands of twinkling lights.
Be sure to visit Santa’s Workshop featuring on the spot Santa Photos by Arthur & Associates - Holiday Photographers. Complimentary hot roasted organic chestnuts sponsored by PCC Natural Markets begin at 4 PM ‘til they last.
Santa will arrive to our winter wonderland at 7 PM. He will light our sparkling traditional tree and greet the crowd. Everyone will get a chance to meet Santa and receive a candy cane.
This event is free and open to the public so bring your friends and family and celebrate the season!
Santa is Coming!
Main Street Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 2nd, 5 PM
www.bothelltreelightingfestival.com
Santa Arrgh-rival, A Pirate X-Mas
Saturday, December 8
Pirates arrive at 7 PM
Country Village
23718 Bothell Everett Hwy
Bothell, WA 98021
Steer your ship to Country Village on Saturday evening, December 8th for the second annual Santa Arrgh-rrival, A Pirate X-Mas. The Pirates of Treasure Island will arrgh-rive at 7 PM in the center parking lot on their famous pirate ship, The Buccaneer Queen. Santa will walk the plank and light the Jolly Rodney, The Country Village pirate ship located in the center courtyard.
Bring the whole family to this festive holiday event as the Village glows under thousands of twinkling lights. Don't miss Santa's live reindeer, the gingerbread house display, & so much more.
Cookies with Mrs. Claus
Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9
Noon to 3 PM
Country Village
23718 Bothell Everett Hwy
Bothell, WA 98021
Experience the enchantment of the season! As the Village glows under thousands of twinkling lights, Mrs. Claus will be giving out cookies to children from noon to 3 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Parents and kids alike will love collecting annual cookie recipes from participating shops to add to their collection. This is a free event for children of all ages!
While you're here, view Santa's live reindeer and our 5th annual Gingerbread House display. Be sure to visit Santa’s Workshop featuring Santa Photos by Arthur & Associates. If you stick around long enough, Santa will arrgh-rive via vessel and light the pirate ship at 7 PM on Saturday evening.
Fun with Frosty
Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16
Noon to 3 PM
Country Village
23718 Bothell Everett Hwy
Bothell, WA 98021
Meet Frosty the Snowman and his friend, Hippity Hop the rabbit from noon to 3 PM both Saturday and Sunday at Country Village. Enjoy a magic show at noon, participate in fun & games at 1 PM and make a winter craft project with Frosty at 2 PM. This is a free event for children of all ages! Visit Santa’s Workshop featuring Santa photos by Arthur & Associates. Live reindeer on site during the magical holiday season.
Brier
Annual Tree Lighting
Saturday - December 1
Santa arrives at 6 PM
Brier Park
Join us for the lighting of our holiday tree with some carols by The Brier Elementary Choir, enjoy hot cocoa, cider, cookies, candy canes. The arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at 6 PM. There is also a food drive for Concern for Neighbors Food Bank.
Mill Creek
Santa’s Coming to Town Parade
Saturday, December 1 at 2 PM - 8 PM
Free!
Mill Creek Town Center
15310 Main Street
Join us for a day of fun with Santa. Events starting at 2 PM. Santa Parade at 3:30 PM. Free Carriage rides Sponsored by Community Transit from 4:30 - 6:30 PM and Free Train rides Sponsored by First Financial Northwest Bank from 2 - 6 PM. Ending with an outdoor Christmas Concert by Cherry Cherry Sponsored by North Creek Roofing at 6 PM in the Town Center Forum. (Don’t worry, we will have heaters!)
Mill Creek Tree Lighting Event
Saturday, December 1 from 4 PM - 5 PM
Mill Creek City Hall South
15728 Main Street
Join us immediately following the Santa Parade. Enjoy musical performances by Jackson High School Drumline, chorus group, cookie decorating and Santa & his Elves. Approximately 4 PM start time.
The Very Best Time of Year — Mill Creek Chorale's Annual Holiday Concert
Mill Creek Chorale
Saturday, December 1, 2018, 3 PM - 7 PM at First Presbyterian Church, Everett, WA
Tickets: Adult tickets Senior tickets = 62+ yrs Student tickets = 11yrs-18yrs 10yrs and under - FREE
And featuring John Rutter's Gloria with the Holiday Brass Ensemble and Organ.
A special encore piece in also planned along with some audience sing-a-longs!
Featuring: The Mill Creek Chorale; Sean Berg, conductor; Jeremy Young, pianist The Holiday Brass Ensemble Special Guests: The First Presbyterian Church Chancel Bells.
Parent’s Night Out Event
Wednesday, December 7, 6:30 PM - 9 PM
Cost: $20.00
City of Mill Creek North, Community Rooms
15720 Main Street
Ages: At least 4 but less than 11
The City of Mill Creek staff along with the Youth Advisory Board volunteer members is hosting the Parent's Night Out event. Parents may take advantage of this time to go out to dinner, run errands or enjoy some time for yourself. Children will have tons of fun playing games, making arts and crafts, or watching a G-rated movie. A dairy and peanut butter free snack will be provided. For additional information please call Kristen at 425-921-5779. Proceeds benefit the Youth Advisory Board. To register, select this link: https://apm.activecommunities.com/millcreek/Activity_Search/3762
Mountlake Terrace
Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 7 at 6:30 PM
Evergreen Playfield
22205 56th Ave W
Thanks to our Tour de Terrace volunteers who serve cocoa, coffee and cookies at the Evergreen Playfield concession stand while local school children sing carols. The “tree”, which can be seen from miles around, is actually frame constructed with 1,800 LED lights and sits atop the city’s water tower.
Santa will make his grand entrance on a Fire Truck! Guests should dress warm and wear boots if the weather is wet because it is a dirt field.
The Tree Lighting event is funded through sponsorships and the 2016 and 2017 events were sponsored by Vineyard Park of Mountlake Terrace. The event is free to the public, however cash donations will be accepted at the concession stand for the Michelle Ringler Youth Recreation Scholarship Fund. Since 2002, the Fund has helped over 400 children register for recreation programs at the Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion. The Tree Lighting Ceremony brings the community together with holiday spirit. For more information, please call the Recreation Pavilion at (425) 776-9173.
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