January is always exciting to start the new year and new possibilities. I was unanimously selected to serve as Vice-Chair for the Council and appreciate my colleagues support to serve in a leadership role. January also kicks off the State’s Legislative Session and I serve in a number of capacities to track and advocate for changes at the state level to support communities in Snohomish County.
In January, the County Council began its update of Snohomish County’s Critical Areas Regulations (CAR), a state-required process tied to Comprehensive Plan changes and new scientific information. County Planning and Development Services staff brought forward an ordinance based on best available science, expert analysis, tribal consultation, and public outreach, aimed at protecting environmentally sensitive areas, clean water, and salmon habitat. An amendment was also proposed that reflected concerns raised by some experts, stakeholders, and property owners about housing supply, affordability, and land-use impacts. Given the differing perspectives and the need for additional technical review, the council referred the ordinance back to committee after the January 15 public hearing to allow more time for analysis and discussion before a final vote.
In February we had a significant snow event and response from the county to maintain over 1,600 miles of county roadways. As council work continued, I also traveled to Olympia to testify at public hearings and meet with state-level elected representatives to share more about Snohomish County priorities and asks for the legislative session. A highlight was meeting with newly elected State Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove as his very first meeting in his role as Lands Commissioner! When we met I shared my concerns that the state’s Tree Equity Committee may be dissolved and was glad that it was because of my advocacy that the committee remains and continues to do good work.
With State Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove
March was an exciting month with a number of programs that I initiated coming to fruition. First, in an effort to increase housing supply, I had worked on drafting Ordinance 25-014 which allows duplexes and attached single family dwellings to have ADUs in urban zones. The ordinance also includes new incentives related to bulk regulations to encourage more ADU development that would apply to sites with urban zoning. I am proud to have initiated this Ordinance which addresses housing affordability and home ownership opportunities in a way that responds to community needs.
Another exciting program that came online was the donation of several surplus county fleet vehicles to local non-profits. Previously, the county could only sell surplus vehicles at auction for pennies on the dollar but allowing for these vehicles to be donated to area non-profits provides a greater public benefit. It was heartwarming to hear from the recipients on how these vehicles will help them help the community – from transporting people to recovery centers or medical appointments to moving food and supplies, I’m glad to see this program come online.
With the recipients of the first surplus county vehicle donations
In April the NW Stream Center hosted the council’s In-District Administrative Session meeting and also provided a guided tour of the elevated boardwalk through the wetland. I also had a chance to tour a few different facilities in the area which was helpful to get a better understanding of the network of opportunities and services across our county. In April I joined an event hosted by the ECHO (Exploring Careers & Healthcare Opportunities) through Snohomish STEM Network, toured the new facility for Latino Education Training Institute (LETI), toured the Holman Recovery Center which received a surplus vehicle donation, and provided a lunch update at the VOAWW Carl Gipson Community Center.
With Councilmember Nehring and Tom Murdoch at the NW Stream Center
Following the January discussions on updating Snohomish County’s Critical Areas Regulations (CAR), the council continued its review and took final action in May. The vote was on a revised CAR ordinance that included an amendment reducing the buffer and protection standards recommended by county staff. After weighing extensive public testimony and input from experts, residents, tribal governments, environmental partners, and builders, I voted against both the amendment and the final amended CAR ordinance, but both measures ultimately passed on a 3–2 vote. While I was disappointed with the outcome, I remain committed to advancing future policies that better align housing affordability with strong, science-based environmental protections.
I was honored to be selected to join a study mission to Brussels and Iceland through the Clean and Prosperous Institute of Washington to learn more about initiatives to address climate change. It was truly inspiring to tour several project sites that have innovative programs that are making a difference. In particular, I toured an electric bus factory which will inform my work on the Community Transit Board and also toured the Port of Antwerp and saw their hydroelectric tugboat!
Also in June I was proud to again coordinate with the Executive’s Office for the fifth annual Pride Flag Raising Event at the county campus. We had a big group join to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community and highlight the events across the county. The resource fair had almost 20 tables and groups who joined to share about the work that they are doing in the community as well.
With the tour group at NATO Headquarters
With Paula at the Pride Flag Raising
In July, Snohomish County focused on summer readiness and community well-being. As temperatures rose, the county opened cooling centers to help keep residents safe during periods of extreme heat, particularly seniors and other vulnerable community members. At the same time, staff and partners ramped up preparations for the Evergreen State Fair, ensuring the fairgrounds were ready to host one the county’s largest annual event. With the council in recess, I also welcomed the chance to spend more time at local summer events and community gatherings, connecting with residents and enjoying all that Snohomish County has to offer during the summer months.
With Autrina Martindale at a UNIDOS Event
In August, we celebrated Snohomish County employees and their families with the inaugural Snohomish County Family Day on the county campus, an event that reflected our council leadership focus on family-friendly and wellness initiatives. As Council Chair and Vice Chair, Councilmember Nehring and I worked closely with staff to support this effort, which was hosted by the Executive and Human Services Department and brought together employees and the community for lawn games, kids’ activities, music, and opportunities to learn more about county departments. With nearly 3,500 employees, Snohomish County is one of the largest employers in the region, and I am grateful for the dedication of our workforce and remain committed to supporting them as they serve our community.
After getting a pie in the face courtesy of Wil Johnson our DEI Director!
In September, our family-friendly and wellness initiatives continued with the successful Kayak Point Arts Fest, which brought the community together to celebrate arts, culture, and the outdoors. I also joined the Everett community for the Kiwanis Park ribbon cutting, marking the completion of park improvements supported in part by grant funding that I directed. Additionally, I attended a hardhat tour of the VOAWW Lynnwood Neighborhood Center, where it was exciting to see construction progress on a facility that will soon expand services and support for local families. Together, these events reflected ongoing investments in community spaces, recreation, and essential services across Snohomish County.
With volunteers at Kayakfest
October kicked off with my annual spooky, pun-filled newsletter, a tradition I always enjoy sharing. The month was also busy as the council worked through the midpoint update of our first biennium budget. I provided resources on potential impacts of a federal government shutdown and shared disaster preparedness information to help residents stay informed and resilient. I also participated in Week Without Driving to better understand transportation barriers and joined the BRE Women’s Wellness 5K in support of health, wellness, and community connection.
With volunteers and organizers at the BRE Women's Wellness 5K
In November, the council approved the county’s first biennial budget update, continuing our commitment to responsible financial stewardship. I was proud to sponsor an amendment establishing clearer, public-facing reporting on how Snohomish County uses opioid settlement funds to improve transparency and accountability to the public. That same commitment to community carried into our District 2 Service Day, where I joined local volunteers at Howarth Park for a beach cleanup that removed nearly 300 pounds of debris and helped protect Puget Sound. Together, these efforts highlighted thoughtful budgeting, transparency, and direct action in the places we share.
With other volunteers at the Howarth Park Beach Cleanup Event
With this month’s severe weather event and catastrophic flooding, new information coming through is dynamic and I encourage you to stay up-to-date with the county’s information hub for flooding at this link. Individuals and businesses can also report damage to your property by completing this survey to collect damage information which will be open until December 31st. Council will also soon review a request to approve a flood voucher fee elimination program for households impacted by flood damage - this voucher will provide free disposal of eligible debris at county solid waste facilities. More to come in the new year and I will continue to provide updates on my Facebook page as they come available. Please stay safe!
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