Councilmember Nehring's October Newsletter

Snohomish County, Washington sent this bulletin at 10/01/2024 06:00 AM PDT

Dear North County Neighbors,

Kids back in school and weather turning colder means it is budget season at the County Council! In addition to our budget process, I have been busy with a number of board meetings and community events. In this month’s newsletter, I will share more information about my work last month at the County Council.

Budget Update

As I mentioned in the newsletter opening, it is budget season at the County Council. Last month, Executive Dave Somers proposed his recommended budget for 2025-2026. The County Council will be adopting our first biennial budget this year. Until now, we have budgeted on an annual basis, only setting revenue and expenditure levels for one year at a time. By moving to a biennial budget, we can be more strategic about our spending priorities, ensure program sustainability, and budget your tax dollars more efficiently.

Now that the County Council has the Executive’s recommended budget, Councilmembers are working with our staff to dive into the details and learn more about the proposed spending plan over the next two years. In the coming weeks, we will receive presentations from each department director and independently elected official highlighting their budgets and justifying any requested changes in their staffing or programs.

As in previous years, I remain committed to adopting a balanced budget without increasing your property taxes. I will be working with my colleagues to identify areas where we can cut back on unnecessary spending in order to avoid increasing the already high tax burden Snohomish County residents currently shoulder. Next month, I will be able to share more updates with you about the specific proposals I plan to bring forward for consideration.

In The News

New roundabout unveiled near Granite Falls to reduce traffic and improve safety | Lynnwood Times, Sept. 16, 2024

Commentary: Today’s politics could use more leaders like Dan Evans | Washington State Standard, Sept. 28, 2024

Community Events

Oct. 5 – Granite Falls Railroad Days

Oct. 19 – Arlington October Fest

Oct. 25 – Marysville Halloween Trick or Treat Down Delta

Oct. 25 – Marysville Moster Mash Halloween Ball

Oct. 26 – Arlington Hometown Halloween

Oct. 31 – Stanwood Ghouls Night Out

Presentation at AWB Summit

Last month, I had the privilege of presenting at the Association of Washington Business (AWB) Policy Summit in Spokane, WA. AWB represents businesses in every sector across Washington state. They are very active in Olympia advocating for policies that help businesses of all sizes.

At their Summit, I joined Councilmember Mead in talking about the importance of bipartisan collaboration and the policy goals we can accomplish by working together to find common ground. Issues around supporting our businesses, especially our small businesses, should not be partisan. Councilmember Mead and I shared stories about our experience working together on the Snohomish County Council on a bipartisan basis to pass sound policy into law at the local level.

I appreciated the opportunity to present at the AWB Summit and am grateful for the ongoing work of AWB on behalf of our business community.

Comprehensive Plan Update

The County Council continues to work through the proposed updates to the Comprehensive Plan. This 20-year planning document sets the framework for land use, housing, transportation, and other critical elements of future population and employment growth. On September 11th, the County Council held another public hearing to receive public testimony and provide direction to staff on potential amendments.

We are planning at least one additional public hearing in late November or early December to vote on the amendments and ultimately adopt the final plan update.

Public Safety Forum

On September 5th, I attended a Public Safety Forum at Naval Station Everett hosted by Arlington Police Chief Jonathan Ventura. The forum focused on creating a Real-Time Intelligence Center in Snohomish County which would allow law enforcement agencies to more easily communicate and collaborate in responding to ongoing criminal activity.

The goal is to create a centralized hub where law enforcement, emergency responders, and community stakeholders can access real-time information and respond appropriately, regardless of jurisdictional constraints. Innovative ideas like this will help our first responders and law enforcement assist each other more quickly and reduce the impact of crime in our communities.

I appreciated the opportunity to listen in to the conversations. I’m looking forward to hearing about next steps on this idea and offering to assist in any way I can.

Conservation Futures Board Meeting

I continue to serve on the Conservation Futures Program Advisory Board for Snohomish County and I am currently serving as Chair of the Board. The Board recommends projects to receive funding from the County’s conservation futures fund. These dollars are required to be used to acquire property or property rights for the preservation of open space, farm and agricultural land, or timber land.

At our board meeting on September 4th, the board approved recommending the following projects to receive funding in this year’s grant round:

Pioneer Highway Conservation Easement - $174,352.00

Old Pacific Highway Conservation Easement - $213,274.00

Ninety Farms Conservation Easement - $554,750.00

Pilchuck River Cooperative Acquisition - $1,041,000.00

Thomas’ Eddy Phase 2 – Moga Acquisition - $3,393,900.00

Snohomish to Sound Trail Section Acquisition - $1,868,450.00

Scriber Creek Park Addition - $868,000.00

Sierra Park Expansion/Alderwood Water District Property Acquisition - $90,250.00

Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution

Last month, I introduced resolution 24-042 recognizing September 15 through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Snohomish County. This timeframe was originally designated by the federal government in 1988 under President Ronald Reagan. The County Council adopted this resolution on a unanimous vote.

At our September 11 council meeting, members of the Hispanic community joined us for the passage of the resolution. It was an honor to host representatives of both the Mexican and Spanish governments, who each expressed their appreciation for this resolution. I am grateful for everyone who came to share their stories and support the resolution.

WSAC Board Meeting

I represent the Western Washington Region on the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) Board of Directors. WSAC is a statewide organization which represents all 39 counties in the state and works on legislative issues affecting our communities as well as providing opportunities for county elected officials to collaborate on common issues.

On Thursday, September 19th, we had a board meeting in Ellensburg, WA. At the meeting, we discussed the WSAC budget for 2025, set the membership of our Legislative Steering Committee and Federal Issues and Relations Committee, as well as some other administrative actions and updates including approval of our 2023 audit.

I enjoy serving on the WSAC Board of Directors to represent the voice of Snohomish County residents and Western Washington communities and collaborate with my fellow elected county officials from across the state.

Project Walkthrough – Roundabout at 84th & 163rd

On September 12th, I joined members of our Public Works team as well as Senator Wagoner and Representatives Eslick and Low from the 39th Legislative District for a walkthrough of the new roundabout at 84th St NE and 163rd Ave NE near Granite Falls. This project was initiated to address traffic flow and safety. The completed project includes the roundabout, truck apron (for large vehicles), and a buffer for bicycle and pedestrian access. Funding for the project was secured through a $1.8 million Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant. This is one of three roundabout projects planned for 84th St in order to improve safety and traffic flow along this corridor.

Thanks to the Snohomish County Public Works team for their great work on this project!

Passing of Former Governor Dan Evans

On September 20th, Washington State lost one of the most consequential governors in our state’s history. Governor Dan Evans died at his home at the age of 98.

Governor Evans served in the Washington State House of Representatives, as Governor, and as a United States Senator. He was a champion for conservation efforts, higher education, and civility. His leadership style brought people together around common goals to improve Washington State for everyone.

We will miss Governor Evans’ leadership. The legacy he leaves behind is one worth remembering. I wrote a commentary for the Washington State Standard reflecting on the life and legacy of Governor Dan Evans. You can read it here.

I send out newsletters on a monthly basis to keep you informed about what I am working on and how I am representing the residents of North Snohomish County on the County Council. Please feel free to reach out to me at 425-512-4810 or Nate.Nehring@snoco.org.

Sincerely,

Nate Nehring
Councilman, District 1

Snohomish County Council

3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 609
Everett, Washington 98201

8th floor, Robert J. Drewel Building
Phone: 425-388-3494
E-Mail: Nate.Nehring@snoco.org

Russell Wiita, Legislative Aide