Earlier this month, council voted on an important milestone in county history – the first biennial budget update.
Because this was an update instead of the regular full budget cycle, the process was less intensive than years past. We voted on standard updates to tax rates and funds for road maintenance, and a few small adjustments that I’ll share in the next paragraph. While this update includes only minimal adjustments to the larger 2025-2026 biennial budget, it reflects our ongoing commitment to tracking revenue and expenditures to ensure that we’re continuing to responsibly steward taxpayer dollars.
I was proud to sponsor a budget note to establish standard reporting and a public facing website sharing information about the county's use of opioid settlement dollars. This page will help improve transparency, accountability and accessibility of information related to the management of our county’s opioid settlement dollars.
An amendment was also presented that would earmark a minimum of $5M per year from our Affordable Housing and Behavioral Health fund specifically towards recovery housing. Statutorily, the use of this fund is determined by an appointed group of experts on our TAC/PAB Board and awards are based on a competitive process. While I see the need for recovery housing, earmarking funds for a specific use circumvents our already-established process and does not funnel money towards our community’s highest and greatest needs. While this amendment passed 3-2, with myself and Councilmember Peterson voting no, I’ll continue to follow this development closely.
Many thanks to all of our departments for their work to stay on budget and to our finance staff for diligently following revenue and expenditure trends.
With the recent federal government shutdown and the pausing of SNAP Benefits that help over 77,000 households in Snohomish County, the County Executive and his team worked quickly to help direct resources to our local food banks to support neighbors in need from going hungry. The county identified an initial $300,000 available to support food needs with $200,000 of that allocation directed to family resource centers located around the county. The other $100,000 was directed to the Snohomish County Food Coalition which is a group of local food bank providers around the county working to address hunger.
While federal government operations have resumed, the county remains committed to addressing food security for our most vulnerable neighbors.
Paula and I joining for a food distribution day at Madres de Casino Road in 2023
I recently spoke at a Tree Equity Learning Lab event which is part of the American Forests organization’s Tree Equity Collaborative. The TEC group focuses on increasing tree canopy in neighborhoods that have historically lacked access to green space. The effort supports healthier, more resilient communities by prioritizing tree planting where it will have the greatest environmental and public health benefits. At the event I spoke about our successes in Snohomish County for urban tree canopy protections and enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other participants who prioritize tree equity as a way to mitigate climate change and ensure the health benefits are enjoyed by everyone.
There are many organizations doing holiday drives for families in need and I’d like to highlight a few groups if you are able to donate or are in need of sponsorship this season:
Snohomish County Recovery Coalition
The Snohomish County Recovery Coalition is the regional arm of the Washington Recovery Alliance’s regional recovery coalition network. They work to make recovery accessible to all and aim to mobilize community support for recovery services. Holidays can be hard for people in recovery and their families but can also be a time of healing and forgiveness. Until Dec 8, SCRC is seeking donations to help support families in need. You can give here, or email donations@snocorecovers.org for locations and hours of gift donations.
Domestic Violence Services Snohomish County
Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County provides emergency shelter, advocacy, and support for individuals and families experiencing domestic violence. Each year the organization shares a holiday wish list to help ensure that people in their shelter have gifts, essentials, and a sense of comfort during the season. Their wish list can be found at this link.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Snohomish County
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County have several clubs across my district including one in Tulalip, three in Everett, and one in Mukilteo. This holiday season the BGCSC has launched their “Fill a Plate” campaign to help make sure that no child goes hungry this holiday season. Much like summer break, families who rely on their children accessing food at school can struggle over the holiday break. BGCSC can help fill that gap. Please visit this donation page today to find ways that you can support.
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The Arc of Snohomish County’s Housing Navigation Program helps individuals with developmental disabilities and their families explore options to secure housing which promotes independence, inclusion, and community living. A support specialist will provide one-on-one support and guidance through the process and help put together a personalized plan. If you or someone in your family has developmental disabilities and is looking for support to find independent housing, please email Brandi Piecora at brandi@arcsnoco.org or call her at 425-258-2459 x113.
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Last month I shared an opportunity to join me for a beach clean up day at Howarth Park in Everett. The clean up day was part of the larger family-friendly and community wellness opportunities that I have been working on during the year with Council Chair Nehring as a component of our leadership initiatives. The event was co-hosted by the Snohomish County Marine Resources Committee and WSU Beach watchers and held in early November and thankfully the weather cooperated. I joined a team of about 25 volunteers for a beach clean up and collected about MRC reach their annual goal of collecting 1,000lbs of garbage from our shorelines to help protect Puget Sound. Thank you to all who participated!
October was National Energy Awareness Month, and October 30th marked National Weatherization Day. The Snohomish County Weatherization program provides FREE home energy improvements and conservation education to qualifying low-income households. Since the early 1980s, Snohomish County’s Weatherization Program has helped income-eligible homeowners and renters lower energy costs through improvements such as insulation, air sealing, heating upgrades, and ventilation enhancements.
In 2024, 83 Snohomish County households benefited from weatherization services, achieving an average annual energy savings of 30 percent, reducing their utility costs while improving comfort and sustainability. Learn more: www.snohomishcountywa.gov/weatherization.
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services wants to hear from you about how Washington can build Age- and Dementia-Friendly communities. These communities promote high quality of life for each person regardless of age, allowing older people the opportunity to remain active and engaged. Take the Age- and Dementia-Friendly WA Survey to help with the creation of communities that support dignity, independence, and connection for all.
Community Access Skate Night, presented by Community Transit, takes place at 5:00 PM on the second Friday of each month with the next one coming up on December 12. The event focuses on making skating accessible for all, with free ice rink admission and free transit for youth aged 18 and under. To guarantee your spot on the ice, register ahead of time using this link. If you are interested in learning to skate, visit https://learntoskate.rink.guide for class information. For questions, contact communityicerink@gmail.com.
Commerce’s State Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program has money available to fund rebates for high-efficiency electric appliances, heat pumps, and other home electrification projects that lower costs and emissions. Applications due by Feb. 5, 2026, by 4 p.m. Learn more: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/energy-incentives/hear/
Find something unique this holiday giving season at the Holiday Spark at the Evergreen State Fair Park! The Evergreen Fair Foundation will be hosting their bazaar December 4-7. Family Friendly Bazaar with varied venders with lots of great items including handmade and household items. Bazaar is open Thursday and Friday from 5 to 8 pm and Saturday 10 - 8 and Sunday 10 to 3pm. Interested in being a vendor? Visit this website to fill out an application.
Also as part of Holiday Spark, you can swing by “Frosty’s Adventure Alley” for bouncy houses, games, snowball fights, and more for only $5 per child.
For a full list of events for Holiday Spark, including how you can reserve your very own igloo, please click here.
The Annual Everett Tree Lighting and Wintertide Events start on Friday, Nov 28, with Santa arriving by fire truck around 5p at Colby and Hewitt to light up downtown Everett. There will be a bunch of ho-ho-holly jolly events across the season including art events at The Schack Art Center, "Deck the Boughs” starting Dec 1 at the Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens, The Dance School’s performance of The Nutcracker, and Everett Figure Skating Club’s Wintertide Holiday Show.
Quil Ceda Village is presenting Tulalip Lights & Ice again this year which is a fre-to-enter event located at the Tulalip Amphitheater featuring ice skating, holiday light display, gifts, treats, food, and fun activities for the whole family. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be making appearances along with The Grinch and my favorite, Buddy the Elf. Check out their website for the full schedule and more information.
The Carl Gipson Community Center in Everett is hosting a Wintertide Festival on Saturday, December 13 from 9-1p at their facility. The event is family friendly and will have music performed by local school choir and jazz ensembles starting at 9am. Bring a musical instrument to donate to public school students through the Music4Life program and get a chance to win a prize. The event is free and open to the public.
This year’s fun Merry Mukilteo event is Saturday, December 6, from 3-6 at Rosehill Community Center. The event will feature live musical performances, festive activities like cookie decorating and pictures with Santa, and plenty of holiday cheer for the whole family. Be sure to join and help kick off the merry season in Mukilteo.
Also on December 6 is the Port of Everett Holiday on the Bay celebration from noon-6 at the Pacific Rim Plaza. The event include a holiday pop-up market, face painting, balloon art, and s’mores by the fire pit. After the sun goes down, enjoy the lighted boat parade along the marina shores. For more info on this event and others they’re hosting this season, please click here.
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At the Great Futures Ribbon Cutting and Tour with the Boys & Girls Club in North Everett |
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With professional soccer players and Snohomish Mayor Linda Redmon at the Snohomish United official kick off for their new USL Women’s Franchise. |
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