November has been a busy month at the Council and in our communities. Managing our day-to-day activities has been feeling especially daunting lately as we move into these darker months and have to adjust how we traditionally celebrate the holidays that are special to ourselves and our families. Many people have been relaxing how diligent they have been to keep COVID at bay, and the latest numbers from the Snohomish Health District and across the State have been showing the devastating effects when this virus spreads out of control. I absolutely understand how difficult this year has been, and acknowledge that there are some even more difficult days ahead. I urge everyone to recommit to doing our part to help beat this virus so that we can get back to normal as soon as possible so that we can save lives, protect our healthcare services, and save our economy. 

In this newsletter, I will be sharing more about the updated restrictions from Governor Inslee, providing an overview of the 2021 Snohomish County Budget that was recently passed, share some opportunities for board and commission participation, and update you on upcoming events. 

If you have any questions or concerns, or if there is any information or resources that I can help provide, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at megan.dunn@snoco.org, or my legislative aide, Paula Rhyne at paula.rhyne@snoco.org. You can also call the office at 425-388-3494 and leave a message and we will call you back asap. 

• Expanding the Designated Crisis Responder program with two additional positions and a supervisor position. These three new positions will work with our law enforcement officers when they respond to calls that involve a person experiencing a mental health or behavioral health crisis and is based on a successful pilot project with the City of Everett Police Department. 
• Funding to review the therapeutic courts that the county currently provides, and consideration to the possibility of adding new therapeutic courts, particularly a Veterans Treatment Court to better serve our justice-involved veterans.  
• A study in consultation with local tribes to potentially add a Tribal Liaison position in the Executive’s Office to help improve tribal relations and collaboration. 
• Adding an IT data system and position to the Office of Public Defense to ensure efficiency in the services that they provide.  

While there is a lot to be proud of with our final budget, it fell short of reflecting my values of equity and social justice. The initial proposed budget from County Executive Somers included $500,000 for the Office of Social Justice to address systemic inequities at the county, and another $500,000 for a body camera pilot project with the County Sheriff’s Office. Through a series of amendments, funding was mostly stripped from both of these budget proposals, and while some funding ended up being restored, I didn’t see the restoration meeting a threshold that would meaningfully or adequately address equity and social justice efforts at the county. Because of this shortfall, I was the lone vote against the final budget. Though the budget passed with the underfunding of these measures, I remain committed to eliminating inequities in our county through proactive policy measures. 

The numbers from the Snohomish Health District are showing a devastating trend in COVID-19 case count numbers in our county, and numbers from the state-level and across our nation are following similar or worse trends. People are experiencing pandemic fatigue and relaxing precautions. Our Health District contact tracers have been tracking the source of how people become infected, and a majority of transmissions occur during small casual get togethers like potlucks or to watch a movie. Because of the spike in cases and impending stressors on our health care system, Governor Inslee released new restrictions this weekend intended to curb the rapid infection rates. Through December 14, additional restrictions on businesses and group gatherings should help to mitigate the number of COVID-19 deaths in our state. Here is a link to a memo that outlines all of the restrictions, but here is a shorter listing of a few highlights: 

• Indoor social gatherings with people outside of your household are prohibited unless they either quarantine for 14 days, or for 7 days and receive test results no more than 48-hours prior to gathering. 
• Restaurants and bars are closed for dine-in service, but takeout and outdoor dining is permitted as long as outdoor dining is in compliance.  

• Gyms and fitness facilities are closed for indoor operations. Outdoor classes are permitted but must be restricted in size. 
• In-store retail is limited to 25% of indoor occupancy limits 
• Religious services are limited to 25% of indoor occupancy limits, or no more than 200 people, whichever is fewer. Congregation attendees must wear a facial covering at all times. 
• Outdoor visits are permitted at long-term care facilities.  

November marks 11 months since the very first COVID-19 case in our nation was detected right here in Snohomish County. It’s been quite the year, and unfortunately we are further away from making it to the light at the end of the tunnel than we are hoping. Luckily we are getting closer to a vaccine, and with these additional restrictions in place, hopefully we can get out case count numbers under control again to help save lives. 

More than 550 volunteers are already serving on a Snohomish County board, commission, committee or task force. These volunteers are advising the Executive and the Snohomish County Council on policies and programs affecting the residents of Snohomish County. The membership make up of each board or commission is dependent on the founding documents of that group. Some boards or commissions require that a representative from each council district sits on the commission. Boards and Commissions are an exciting way to get more involved in your local community and have your voice heard. I encourage interested folks to apply! 

This website lists all of the different openings on various boards, and here are a few vacancies that I wanted to highlight, some of which need to be filled by someone who lives in District 2 which includes Tulalip, Mukilteo, and Everett: 

• Snohomish County Children’s Commission is a group of 25 members, including two youth, who serve as advisors on issues of health, safety, and the welfare of children. They are currently looking to fill vacancies by members who represent business/labor, state human services, healthcare, and law and justice. Please email Karen Matson, the Developmental Disabilities and Early Learning Division Manager at karen.matson@snoco.org for more information or how to apply.  
• Veterans Assistance Fund Executive Board meets on the third Friday of every month at 9am to administer and coordinate county programs that serve veterans. There are two vacancies on this board, and an applicant from District 2 has been encouraged. Board members need to be honorably discharged veterans and be a member of a nationally recognized veterans’ service organization or the veterans’ community at large. For more information on this board, or to apply, please contact Cammy Hart-Anderson, Behavioral Health and Veteran Services Division Manager at Cammy.hart-anderson@snoco.org or 425-388-7233. 
• Snohomish County Marine Resource Committee is a citizens advisory group made up of 13 members who represent various backgrounds. The group provides our county’s Surface Water Management division with advice and insight on managing the 130 miles of shoreline in our County. They currently have three vacancies and are encouraging applications from people who have knowledge of commercial fishing, building, and economic development – specifically on the shoreline, commercial boating and marinas, and the BNSF railroad. For more information, please get in touch with Elisa Dawson, Senior Planner at Surface Water Management at elisa.dawson@snoco.org.  

• Snohomish County’s Council on Aging meets monthly to advise, assist, and advocate for older persons and adults with disabilities in Snohomish County. They currently have several at-large positions that are open, and you don’t have to be a senior to apply. For more information on this active board, or to apply, please email Linda Vizmanos with the County’s Long Term Care and Aging division at linda.vizmanos@snoco.org, or you can call her at 425-388-7317. A flyer is also below.