I was invited to join a Study Mission to Brussels and Iceland through the Clean & Prosperous Institute of Washington and was grateful for the opportunity to attend and learn more about the work to address climate change. I have represented the county on the board for the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for the past five years and served as Chair for two years and listened keenly to the strategies and programs underway in to reduce air pollution and mitigate climate change. In particular I enjoyed visiting the European Union headquarters and hearing from their climate policy advisors on the Innovation and Modernization Fund investments from the EU cap and trade program. We saw several projects that remove atmospheric carbon and store the carbon (in Iceland using porous basalt) and or digest the carbon (in Brussels using a microbe!). I toured an electric bus factory which will inform my work on the Community Transit Board and toured the Port of Antwerp and saw their hydroelectric tug boat!
After the study mission, we had a recreational add on of three more nights in Iceland, where I got to tour waterfalls, hike a glacier, see black sand beaches and visit geothermal sites. The trip was full circle as we started the Iceland visit with a viewing of Chasing Time about photographic efforts to capture Iceland's glaciers as they slowly melt and recede. This study mission was an invaluable time to connect with other local leaders in this space and identify ways that we can collaborate on initiatives that we know have proven success.
With other study mission attendees at the European Union headquarters in Brussels
This year Paula and I coordinated with the Executive’s Office for the fifth annual Pride Flag Raising Event at the Snohomish County Campus. I was proud to initiate this event five years ago and have been encouraged that it has gained roots as an expected event and also growth across the years. We heard from Dennis Worsham our county’s Director of the Public Health Department, Councilmember Anji Jorstad who also works for Snohomish County Human Services, Lorilee Gomez with the county’s CASA program and also with Everett Pride, and representatives from local pride groups who shared more about their events. Following the flag raising, people joined for a resource fair highlighting county departments and their intersectionality with support for our LGBTQIA+ community.
If you’re on campus, I encourage you to stop by the first floor of the Admin West Building to take a look at the art display case. The Mill Creek Pride group, who had their 1st Annual Pride Event this month, was selected to provide art for the display case. They did a great job!
Many thanks to all who joined or worked to put on the event. Pics from the event are below. We will see you next year!
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With my aide, Paula Rhyne, after the flag raising event. |
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With Loreilee Gomez and Anji Jorstad who both spoke at the event |
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Dennis Worsham, Director of the Public Health Department providing remarks at the event |
Snohomish County has been lucky to have Dennis Worsham as the Director for our Public Health Department. During my time as Chair for the Board of Health I have enjoyed working with him and have been continually impressed with his expertise, experience, professionalism, and care for community. Dennis was recently appointed by Governor Ferguson to be the Director of the Washington State Department of Health and while we will miss him at the county, I’m thrilled that the entire State of Washington will benefit from his public health leadership.
Thank you, Dennis!
Snohomish County is now accepting applications for a Consumer of Public Health seat on the Board of Health. The nine-member Board is structured to meet Washington State public health board requirements. It includes elected officials, tribal and healthcare representatives, and community members. The current vacancy is for a “consumer of public health”—a county resident who has experienced significant health inequities or used services such as WIC, home visiting, treatment programs, or other public health-related supports. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. However, priority consideration will be given to applications submitted by Friday, June 30, 2025.
I serve as co-chair to the Snohomish County Early Learning Coalition which is a local group that provides networking, support, education, and professional development for Early Learning professions. This coalition, lead by Debbie Carlsen, is doing great work in the county to identify gaps in child care services, needs of providers, and opportunities for supports for families. We recently asked for local families and providers to take part in a survey and were overwhelmed to receive almost 500 responses. The report is being finalized and I will share more about the results next month and action items this coalition plans to pursue.
Snohomish County TV is now Live on Ziply Fiber Channel 35 and Channels 22 and 322 on Comcast. Please tune in for more information about county programs, services, and to watch County Council meetings! It’s important to the county to provide accurate and accessible information to the public and we are hopeful that the community will be able to access important information about county government through this channel. If you have suggestions for content or features, or questions, please contact sctv@snoco.org.
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The County is now accepting applications for round one of the 2026 tourism grant cycle. The grants are funded through sales tax collected on hotel and motel room rentals within the county, called the Hotel-Motel Small Fund. Grants from this fund are awarded to support projects that promote tourism in Snohomish County. First-round applications will be accepted until August 20, 2025. The 2026 Hotel-Motel Small Fund total is projected to be $500,000. Typically, the amount awarded per selected project is between $5,000 and $50,000. To download the round one 2026 application package, please visit the Hotel-Motel Small Fund page: www.seattlenorthcountry.com/industry-resources/lodging-tax-grants/hotel-motel-small-fund. For more information on the program, please contact Trudy Soriano, at 425-471-8738 or Trudy.Soriano@snoco.org.
Climate change is already affecting Snohomish County — from stronger storms to hotter, drier summers. In response, Snohomish County is developing a Communitywide Climate Resiliency Plan (CwCRP) to make sure that we are prepared for a changing climate. Please join to learn about the top local climate impacts and share your priorities for how we can better protect our communities, businesses, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
Join us for a Climate Resilience Open House:
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When: Wednesday, July 30
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Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm
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Where: Student Center at Mariner High School (200 120th St SW, Everett, WA 98204)
Snacks and refreshments provided. Youth and children are welcome!
Share your passion for art and the environment! Enter the Creative Climate Action art contest for a chance to have your artwork featured in the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan. Artists can choose any medium and must relate to any of these three categories: 1) Time to Act; 2) World Worth Saving; or 3) Solutions in Action. Submissions are due June 28 and may be used in PSCAA’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan. Learn more and enter at www.pscleanair.gov/ArtContest.
Sound Transit is preparing for the Everett Link Extension for Link light rail service from Lynnwood to the Everett Station. This extension will include sixteen miles of light rail and six station locations. Sound Transit is working on identifying projects that will improve non-motorized access to these station locations for those who bike, walk, or wheel. Thse suggested projects are all listed on their public engagement page and include sidewalk enhancements, crosswalk improvements, protected bike lanes, corridor improvements, and a number of other suggestions. I highly suggest reviewing the project page, then click on the bright pink “Comment Now” button to explore the interactive map and share your thoughts and feedback by June 29th which will help refine the list of projects for consideration and implementation.
One of the best strategies for managing wildfire risk around your home is to create a defensible space which is an area where combustible materials are treated, cleared, or modified to reduce fire from spreading. Our friends at the Snohomish Conservation District have offered to provide homeowners FREE assessments of wildfire risk through June 30. A specialist will advise on potential risks and offer tips for making your property more resilient to wildfires. The program is available throughout Snohomish County, including inside area cities. Schedule a free home assessment here: https://snocd.org/assess
The City of Mukilteo Recreation and Cultural Services Department would like to cordially invite you to our first ever "Theater in the Park" event. The play is called, “The Grown Ups,” and is written by Simon Henriques & Skylar Fox, directed by Nick O'Leary, and hosted by DACHA Theater Company. The event is Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29 from 8-10p at the 92nd Street Park. Pre-Purchase your tickets at: https://events.humanitix.com/the-grown-ups-mukilteo?hxchl=hex-pfl.
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Paula and me with "Fries and Shake Lady" at the Dick's Grand Opening in South Everett! |
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With local leaders and speakers at the county's Juneteenth Flag Raising Event. |
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With Van Kuno of Refugee and Immigrant Services NW, and others who also spoke at the World Refugee Day event at Everett Community College |
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