Councilmember Nehring's November Newsletter

Snohomish County, Washington sent this bulletin at 11/01/2024 08:33 AM PDT

Dear North County Neighbors,

I hope you and your family enjoyed a fun and safe Halloween last night. My family and I had a great time out and about in the community. As we approach the end of the year, I am focused on the county’s biennial budget, passing the comprehensive plan update, and staying connected with the community at various events and gatherings. I will share about these topics and more in this month’s newsletter.

Remember to Vote!

Next Tuesday, November 5th is Election Day! There are many important races and issues on the ballot this year. From the presidential and gubernatorial races to statewide and local initiatives, it is critical to make your voice heard by being civically engaged. You can return your ballot via mail or by using one of the ballot drop boxes located in every community across the county. You can find the ballot drop box closest to you at this link. Remember that your ballot must be postmarked or turned into a drop box by 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 5th. If it is late, it will not be counted, so get your vote in as soon as possible.

Housing Providers Panel

At our Council meeting on Tuesday, October 29th, we hosted a panel discussion with housing providers to learn more about the challenges and opportunities within our existing homelessness system. We had representatives from Catholic Community Services, Housing Hope, Everett Gospel Mission, Recovery Residences, and Second Chance Scholarships.

In The News

Snohomish County PUD Details Microgrid Educational Exhibit | American Public Power Association, Oct. 11, 2024

Lawmakers celebrate soft open of new law enforcement training academy | Lynnwood Times, Oct. 22, 2024

At Snohomish County Council meeting: Housing providers outline successes, challenges | My Edmonds News, Oct. 29, 2024

County Councilman Nehring to propose elimination 8% property tax increase | Lynnwood Times, Nov. 1, 2024

Community Events

Nov. 20 – Darrington Colors of Fall Community Dinner

Nov. 28 – Marysville Turkey Trot 5k Run

Nov. 30 – Arlington Hometown Holidays

The goal of the discussion was for the Council to learn what works and what doesn’t work with regard to providing shelter for homeless individuals and treatment services to those battling a drug addiction. As you may be aware, the County previously purchased two motels (one in Everett and one in Edmonds) to convert to housing for homeless individuals. While I voted against that decision, the issue currently before the Council is how to most effectively operate these facilities now that they have been acquired by the County.

I believe it is critical that we have built-in accountability measures to ensure that individuals are not actively using deadly drugs while living in taxpayer-subsidized housing. This activity is harmful to the individual’s health, to the pathway to recovery for those living in the same vicinity, and to the taxpayers who bear the cost of remediation when these facilities become contaminated by methamphetamine and/or fentanyl.

Rather than the status quo no-barrier approach which has failed so many throughout our communities and nation, I will be strongly advocating for an approach which focuses on both treatment and housing for those struggling with addiction. It will be critical that we understand and address these challenges as we move forward with the conversion of the hotels to ensure that our programs are actually helping get people on the right track to a more fulfilling, sustainable, and healthy lifestyle.

Budget Update

The County Council continues our deliberations on the 2025/2026 biennial budget. I have been working closely with our Council staff to analyze and propose changes to the budget. The most significant amendment I have put forward would eliminate the tax increase in Executive Somers’ proposed budget and cut unnecessary spending to ensure a balanced budget with no tax increase. The proposed budget takes the legally allowed 1% each year as well as banked capacity (from previous years) resulting in an 8% increase to the county’s general property tax levy by 2026. I strongly believe the county should be working to identify reductions in unnecessary spending before increasing taxes on overburdened taxpayers. You can read more about my amendment in this Lynnwood Times article.

My amendment, as well as other amendments and the overall budget, will be considered at our Public Hearing scheduled for Wednesday, November 13th starting at 10:30 AM. You can testify in-person or virtually at the hearing. For more information about participating in our meetings, visit this link. If you cannot attend the hearing but would like to share your thoughts with the Council, you can email your comments to contact.council@snoco.org.

Housing Presentation at Realtors Conference

On Wednesday, October 23rd, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of realtors at a conference hosted by Keller Williams. During my presentation, I gave an overview of the County’s Comprehensive Plan update with housing and employment growth data, recent legislative successes at the County to reduce barriers to housing affordability, and general updates from Snohomish County.

I always appreciate the chance to share these updates with groups like the Realtors.

“Let’s Pray WA” Event

On Saturday, October 12th, I was invited to speak at the “Let’s Pray Washington” event in Everett. It was great to see over one hundred people gather together to pray for our local communities, state, and nation.

Crosswalk at Sikh Temple in Marysville

On Saturday, October 5th, I joined community leaders and members of the Sikh Temple in Marysville to cut the ribbon on a new crosswalk on 61st St NE. This new crosswalk will provider safer access for the Sikh community between their Temple and the parking lot across the street. It was great to see this project come to fruition.

SnoPUD Microgrid Educational Display Partnership

Over the past year, I have partnered with Snohomish Public Utility District No. 1 (PUD) to create an educational display featuring the PUD’s microgrid project in Arlington. The display was designed in a collaboration between my office, PUD staff, and their consultants to educate people of all ages about how microgrids work, the benefits of microgrid technology, and how it impacts families and businesses in the district.

At their October 8th meeting, I joined the PUD Commissioners for the official unveiling of the display. This display is portable and will be used in classrooms, at community events, and at the Arlington microgrid site for years to come. You can learn more about the Arlington Microgrid here. I appreciate the partnership with PUD on this exciting project.

YMCA Early Learning Center Groundbreaking

On October 16th, I joined YMCA staff, board members, and community members for the groundbreaking ceremony for their new Early Learning Center in Marysville. The new center will create desperately needed childcare slots in north Snohomish County that are affordable and accessible. The new space will have four classrooms with capacity for 90 students. It is expected to open in fall of 2025.

As a board member for the YMCA of Snohomish County, I am excited about this project and proud to support the great work YMCA does in our communities.

Northwest Regional Training Academy in Arlington

Earlier this year, the State Legislature appropriated $1.5 million to open a new training academy for the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC). CJTC trains new police officers and all law enforcement agencies send their new hires to CJTC for their training. The center is one of three new facilities opened in the past year and a half to increase the capacity of the training program, allowing new recruits to get on the street for patrol more quickly.

On Tuesday, October 22, I joined other elected officials, law enforcement leaders, and community members for a “soft launch” of the facility in Arlington. I am excited to have this new training academy in north Snohomish County and appreciate the support of our legislative delegation for making it possible.

Glacier Peak Institute Breakfast

Also on October 22, the Glacier Peak Institute hosted their fall breakfast fundraiser. The theme was “Harvesting Sustainability: Nurturing our Future.” The breakfast fundraiser helps support the great work GPI does year-round. GPI works with youth to build resilient and sustainable rural communities focused in north Snohomish County. Their programs are great learning experiences for youth while also promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability. I appreciate the work of GPI and their volunteers and was happy to support them at their event. You can learn more about the Glacier Peak Institute on their website linked here.

Marysville Halloween Trick or Treat Down Delta

Last Friday, the City of Marysville hosted their Trick or Treat Down Delta event. Families walked down Delta Ave and into Comeford Park where city and community organizations gathered to give out plenty of treats. My kids had a great time at the event. Thank you to the city staff and all of the volunteers involved who made it a great community gathering.

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