Haunted October Update from Councilmember Megan Dunn

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Councilmember Megan Dunn Banner

October 2021

Megan Dunn's eNewsletter

CM Dunn Headshot

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

 

Paula Rhyne, Legislative Aide


Hello: 

Welcome to the spooky October newsletter. Halloween is my favorite holiday and I’ve enjoyed seeing festive decorations around town against the dramatic back drop of the fall leaves. In this newsletter, I’ll share ghoulish updates about the county’s budget process, input needed for the county’s redistricting commission, a reminder about election day and how to turn in your ballot, an update on the Airport Master Plan, and local area events. The first part of these updates are also calls for public participation; your voice is important in the government process to make sure that decisions are being made with community input. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime with input, suggestions, or concerns at megan.dunn@snoco.org or 425-388-3494. Your emails never collect cobwebs in my inbox and I’m committed to being responsive and transparent. 

Thank you for taking the time to read through my newsletter – if you dare!  

Hauntedly yours, 

Megan 


Budgets and Broomsticks

We are in the middle of “Budget Season” at the county council and are working hard to go line by line to ensure a county budget that is fair, responsible, and equitable. The County Executive delivered the proposed budget in late September and it included funding for: 

  • A full body camera program for deputies and rangers 
  • Expanding the number of detectives to address crimes against children and domestic violence 
  • Investing in reducing the law and justice system backlog 
  • Increased anti-bias treatment for county employees 
  • Add a DEI staff person to Human Resources 
  • Allocating funding for long-term shelter and housing options  
  • Funding for the Food and Farming Center at McCollum Park 
  • Investments in broadband access 
  • Environmental stewardship projects including culverts and climate change mitigation. 

A budget is a reflection of our values and I will be prioritizing environmental sustainability, public safety reforms, and expanding human service resources for our neighbors in need. During the process I have been asking departments to show that the investments we make in additional FTE’s or programs is efficiently investing in the people of Snohomish County.  

We can’t talk about budgets without talking about the skeleton in the room: taxes. The county’s budget is primarily comprised of revenue collected from property and sales taxes, with a smaller percentage from other taxes, fees for services, and state or federal funding. State law allows the county to increase property taxes 1% each year, however the county has not taken this increase over the past four consecutive years and has instead “banked” this allowance. These past four years of banked capacity, added to various other years that the county did not implement the 1% increase, brings our total banked capacity to 8.6%. This year’s budget proposes to implement the standard 1% increase, and use 1.5% of our banked capacity to meet the increased need for basic government services. For an average homeowner, this means that their property tax bill will increase by a total of only $7.39 per year.   

Many county programs and initiatives have been put on hold or dramatically reduced during COVID, and as things begin to open up again, these programs are re-starting. Additionally, despite the pandemic and challenges, the county continues to grow at a staggering rate adding over 131,000 people over the past decade and almost 14,000 just in the last year alone. With these additional people comes the need for more services, maintenance on our roadways, stress to our waste facilities, and increased involvement in the justice system. It's a governmental responsibility to be responsive to the needs of the people, to adequately meet these needs, and be financially secure.

Budget Snip

Snohomish County Districting Committee

The Districting Committee is eager to hear from the public regarding how the draft maps impact communities of related and mutual interest. The current maps being discussed can be viewed on the Snohomish County Districting Committee webpage at https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/5773/. 

The council districts maps aim to equalize population between districts, keep tribal lands and incorporated cities in single council districts, preserve voting precincts, and minimize changes for county residents. There are lots of ways to get involved, learn more, and share your ideas and comments throughout this process: 

  • Public events – A final public hearing will be scheduled in mid-November and announced on the Districting Committee webpage. 
  • Email – Comments can be sent via email to districting@snoco.org 
  • Mail – Comments can be submitted by mail to Districting Committee, c/o Snohomish County Council, 3000 Rockefeller, Ave., M/S 609, Everett, WA 98201 
  • Newsletter – Sign up for the 2021 Redistricting e-newsletter on the County website. Select the “2021 County Redistricting” newsletter option from the “Districting” topic. 

If you need this information translated, please contact districting@snoco.org Si necesita que esta información sea traducida, comuníquese con por favor districting@snoco.org 

For more information about Snohomish County’s redistricting process, public meetings, committee meetings and more, visit https://snohomishcountywa.gov/5773/Districting-Committee. 

County Districting Page

Trick-Or-Vote by Nov. 2!

Election Day is coming up on November 2 and ballots either need to be postmarked by that day, or dropped in a County Ballot Drop Box by 8pm. You can also register in-person to vote up until the day of the election at the county’s election offices located at the County’s Election Offices at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue in Everett.  

Accessible voting is important to an equitable election. Please visit this page for more information about accessing your ballot if you are military or overseas, unhoused or with a nontraditional address, voters previously convicted of a felony, voters with disabilities, or voters needing access to an online ballot.  

As an appointed member of the Canvassing Board, I’m proud of the hard work that our county and state have done to ensure a fair, free, and accurate election. Your voice is important, so please don’t delay and turn in your ballot by 8p on Nov 2 – or else it could turn into a pumpkin! 

Vote by Nov. 2!

Airport Master Plan Update

Snohomish County is updating the Paine Field Airport Master Plan and is seeking input from the community. The team has created an online open house and will host two webinars on Wed, November 3 from 6-7p, or Tuesday, November 9 from 11-noon. These will be opportunities for community members to learn more about work completed to date on the plan and where the plan is headed. They will also give residents the opportunity to communicate with the project team directly. 

Community members can also visit the online open house at www.PaineFieldMasterPlan.com. Through the online open house, community members can learn more about the master plan process, leave comments, or sign up for project emails. You can also follow Paine Field Airport on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates. 

Paine Field Master Plan Site

Low-Cost Pet Vaccinations

The Everett Animal Shelter will host weekly low-cost pet vaccination clinics for dogscats, and werewolves at the shelter (333 Smith Island Rd., Everett), beginning Friday, Oct. 22. The low-cost pet vaccinations are available by appointment only to pet owners who meet income thresholds in Snohomish County. Microchips, flea treatment and de-worming will also be available.  Learn more, view eligibility requirements and schedule an appointment at everettwa.gov/petvaccines. 

Everett Animal Shelter

Halloween in Everett

Check out this list of Halloween Events in Everett as well as light displays and costume contests. This year the Downtown Everett Association is hosting a Downtown Everett Halloween Hunt where you can do a digital scavenger hunt around downtown to win prizes. Snohomish County Holiday Maps is working on a treat and decoration map too. 

DEA Halloween Hunt

Closing

Thank you for taking the time to read through my hair-raising newsletter. I hope that this finds you and your little ghosts and goblins doing well! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions. You can also find me online on Facebook and Twitter. 

In spirit, 

Megan 


Quick Links

Snohomish County Homepage

County Council Homepage

Megan Dunn's Homepage

Link to Council Webcasts

Snohomish Health District

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