As part of our continued work to create a more just and equitable system for all, we included money to add two Superior Court judges and subsequent staff, allocated  dollars for officer-worn body cameras, added crime prevention officers and additional detectives, added case workers who will focus on domestic violence cases, and allocated $3.6 million dollars to the Office of Social Justice and social equity projects throughout the county. With a significant backlog in cases in the Snohomish County court system, it is critical for us to invest and support this scope of work because as we all recognize, justice delayed is justice denied.  

We were also able to include an amendment within the budget that was introduced and sponsored by myself and Councilmember Nate Nehring. In this bipartisan policy, we were able to dedicate an investment to electrify the Snohomish County fleet as our current fleet reaches the end of its usable life. This investment will ultimately replace 96 gas-powered vehicles with electric vehicles, aiming to reduce Snohomish County’s dependency on fossil fuels. Additionally, the council allocated funds for projects such as fish passage culverts, replacing failing infrastructure projects, water quality improvements, and river and habitat projects around the county. As we look forward, it is important for us to prioritize projects and investments that are ecologically and environmentally sound and I think these are just a few examples of how Snohomish County leadership is doing just that.  

Before I conclude this update, I want to especially thank members of the community who wrote letters, sent emails, and who dialed-in to public hearings to listen or comment on the budget. I greatly appreciate and respect your involvement in our community and I’m thankful to represent such a diverse and engaged group of constituents. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out directly to my office and thank you for your time to read through this newsletter. Stay tuned for more updates!