Election as Chair of the Conservation Futures Board 

The Conservation Futures Program Advisory Board (CFPAB) is a Snohomish County board charged with making recommendations for investments of the County’s conservation futures funds. The funding is programmed for acquisition of property for the preservation of open space, farm and agricultural land, and timber land.  

At our meeting last month, I was elected chair of the board. I am looking forward to working with my fellow board members and county staff to direct funding toward important conservation projects in Snohomish County.  

SCSO Drug Task Force Information Hour Event 

On March 9th, the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force hosted a Public Education Seminar featuring Sam Quinones. Sam is the author of “Dreamland” and “The Least Among Us” and has done extensive research on drug use and homelessness across the United States.  

During his talk, Sam discussed the challenges we are seeing with addiction on our streets and highlighted the failure of our current systems to address this crisis. Elected officials, law enforcement, social service providers, and others were in attendance and discussed ideas for addressing the challenge of drug addiction in Snohomish County. I look forward to continuing these discussions and implementing new approaches to these issues on our streets.  

To learn more about Sam Quinones and his books, you can visit his website at this link.  

Judging policy presentations at Cascadia College with CM Mead 

One of the great parts about my job as a Councilmember is the opportunity to engage with youth and students. On March 15th, Councilmember Jared Mead and I were invited to judge presentations at Cascadia College with Bothell Mayor Mason Thompson. 

The students were in a State and Local Government class at Cascadia and were tasked with creating and presenting solutions to a policy concern of their choice. We heard some great policy proposals on subjects such as traffic congestion relief and reducing food waste. 

I had a great time hearing from these students and providing feedback on their proposals to community challenges.  

9th Anniversary Oso Slide Memorial Event 

This year, we commemorated the 9th anniversary of the tragic Oso Slide that claimed the lives of 43 of our friends, family, and neighbors along SR 530. I joined community members and family of those lost at a memorial event at the location of the slide on Wednesday, March 22nd.  

Next year, on the 10th anniversary of the Oso Slide, the Slide Memorial project will be completed and will provide a permanent place for families and community members to remember the legacies of those who were lost in the Slide. 

Board of Equalization openings 

The Board of Equalization is an independent body that hears appeals of property tax determinations made by the assessor. The board consists of five members and two alternate members who are appointed by the Snohomish County Council. 

There is currently one vacancy on the board and there will be a second vacancy at the end of April. Ideal applicants will have knowledge related to property values, the Open Public Meetings Act, and Appearance of Fairness Doctrine.  

If you or someone you know might be interested, you can learn more about the Board at this link and find the application here. If you aren’t interested in this particular board but would like to volunteer on a different county board or commission, please send me an email at Nate.Nehring@snoco.org.