Councilmember Nehring's December Newsletter

Snohomish County, Washington sent this bulletin at 12/01/2024 06:00 AM PST

Dear North County Neighbors,

I hope you and your family enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday as we all reflected on the many blessings we have to be grateful for. I also hope you had the opportunity to take time last month to honor our veterans. Veterans Day ceremonies across the county paid tribute to the selfless sacrifice of all of the brave men and women who protect our freedoms. We now enter the Christmas season and there are many fantastic community events to celebrate (you can view these in the column to the right.)

County Budget

November was one of the busiest months at the County Council as we deliberated and ultimately voted on the County budget. On November 25th, the Snohomish County Council adopted its first biennial (2-year) budget. Previously, the County budgeted on an annual basis. By passing a biennial budget, departments and Councilmembers have the opportunity to take a more strategic look at spending and programs to ensure we are being fiscally responsible.

One of the most debated aspects of this recent budget was property taxes. The County Executive proposed an 8% increase to the County’s general property tax levy over the next two years. To be clear, the County Council only has control over the county portion of property taxes (general levy, roads levy, and conservation futures levy) which make up approximately 10% of the property tax bill. The other 90% is determined by the state, local school and fire districts, libraries, ports, etc. Increases to those portions of the bill are determined by each respective taxing authority, and the cumulative increases from all these taxes are reflected in your annual property tax statements.

I vocalized my opposed to the 8% tax increase from the beginning. Over the past 7 years, I have remained steadfast in opposing tax increases while we have unnecessary spending in county government. Individuals and families across the county have had to tighten their belts due to the high rates of inflation and taxes. I believe government ought to do the same. I put forward a budget proposal which would have eliminated the 8% property tax increase, frozen county property taxes at current levels, and balanced the budget through cuts to unnecessary spending. I wrote an op-ed for the Everett Herald expressing my concerns with the 8% tax increase proposal. You can read it here.

In The News

Comment: County exec’s property tax proposal poorly timed | Everett Herald, Nov. 12, 2024

Hundreds speak out against proposed 8% property tax increase | Lynnwood Times, Nov. 13, 2024

Snohomish County Council to vote on property tax increase in WA | Fox 13, Nov. 25, 2024

Council votes to approve Snohomish County budget with 4% tax increase | Everett Herald, Nov. 25, 2024

Snohomish County Council approves 4% property tax hike despite public opposition | Komo News, Nov. 26, 2024

Community Events

Dec. 7, 8, 15 – Merrysville For The Holidays

Dec. 7 – Stanwood Light Up Your Holidays

Dec. 14 – Granite Falls Winter Market

Dec. 15 – Marysville Jingle Bell 5K Fun Run

Multiple Dates – Arlington Hometown Holidays

During our budget process, we received over a thousand emails and heard public testimony from hundreds of residents who were opposed to increased taxes. While I was pleased that the 8% tax increase proposal was defeated, my proposal was also voted down on a 2-3 vote. Ultimately, the County Council passed a budget (on a 3-2 vote) with a 4% tax increase over the 2-year biennium. While it was lower than the original proposal from the County Executive, I still voted "no” on the increase because I do not believe we have done everything we can to reduce unnecessary spending in county government. I believe tax increases should be an absolute last resort.

Another proposal I made during the budget process was to set aside seed money for a secure withdrawal management and stabilization (SWMS) facility, which was successfully passed. SWMS are drug treatment facilities where individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others as a result of their drug addiction can be involuntarily committed for treatment. This is a large project that will require investments and cooperation from the state but putting seed money forward is a good first step in showing the County’s commitment to addressing the fentanyl epidemic on our streets. The seed money comes from the County Affordable Housing and Behavioral Health fund, which does not draw from property taxes.

The Council also approved my proposed budget condition which requires subsidized housing providers that receive taxpayer funding to test their facilities for drugs and dangerous chemicals on a regular basis. Earlier this year, the Council approved my ordinance to require this testing in county-owned housing (such as the hotels which are being converted to housing). This recent budget condition applies that same standard to non-county providers which are the recipients of county tax dollars. By testing these facilities regularly, it is my hope that we can avoid situations like Clare’s Place earlier this year where meth contamination required the facility to be shut down for an extended period for decontamination.

The adopted 2025-26 biennial budget now goes to the County Executive for his consideration. The County Executive can sign, veto, or let the budget go into effect without signing it.

Youth Mental Health Forum

On Wednesday, November 6th, I had the opportunity to attend a Youth Mental Health Forum hosted by the Arlington School District Student Advisory Council (SAC). The forum was an opportunity for educators and community members to meet with students from the SAC and discussion issues around mental health challenges among our youth.

I was able to participate in a small group conversation with middle and high school students and was impressed with the perspectives they shared around the dangers of social media, cell phone use, and bullying in schools.

I was inspired to hear from these students and look forward to helping in any way I can moving forward to address and improve mental health among the youth in our community.

Tulalip Tree Lighting

On Saturday, November 23rd, I was invited to attend the Tulalip Lights & Ice Tree Lighting ceremony. The display includes over 7.8 million lights, an ice skating rink, and local vendors. It was an honor to join Tulalip Chairwoman Teri Gobin for this wonderful event.

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