Councilmember Nehring's Year End Update

Happy New Year! I hope you and your families enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season as we said goodbye to 2025 and welcomed the new year. Last year was exciting and busy both at the Snohomish County Council and for me personally. My wife and I welcomed our fourth child, Jude, in June, and our three older children reached several important milestones. 

At the Council, we considered and adopted significant legislation, partnered with residents to address community issues, and worked to improve county government services. To kick off 2026, I’d like to reflect on ten highlights from the past year in Snohomish County. Here is a quick recap with my full update below:  

🛡️ Public Safety: Opened the Criminal Justice Training Academy in Arlington; adopted ordinances addressing nuisance RVs; conducted ride alongs with Sheriff’s Office to improve community safety. 

👶 Childcare: Simplified zoning and permitting for childcare facilities; YMCA opened a new Early Learning Center in Marysville with 40% of slots for low-income families. 

🌲 Environmental Conservation: Conserved over 516 acres of land; hosted Youth Beach Clean-Up with 70+ volunteers removing 150+ pounds of trash. 

🏗️ Workforce Training: RAP Program welcomed its 7th cohort; hosted Spring Showcase and introduced new heavy equipment simulators; recognized RAP Champion Leonard Kelley. 

🏞️ Community Projects & Infrastructure: Funded park improvements across North Snohomish County; advancing broadband expansion to 5,000 homes and businesses; new I-5 interchange at SR 529 in Marysville opens. 

🎓 Youth Engagement: Hosted Civic Education Day for 200+ students; visited high school classrooms to discuss civic engagement and leadership. 

🏠 Cold Weather Shelters: Volunteered at local shelter; recognized volunteers and staff for operating shelters 34 of 35 nights during winter. 

⚡ Government Efficiency: PDS reduced permit review times; no overdue permits as of July 2025; improved transparency with public KPI dashboard. 

💖 Family-Friendly Initiatives: Launched lending library, Kayak Arts Fest, internship program, and council-led community service projects. 

✈️ Paine Field Updates: Alaska Airlines to resume Portland flights in June 2026; County planning for terminal, parking, and facility expansion to meet growing demand. 

1. Public Safety

Last year, we made meaningful progress on several public safety priorities. One of the most significant milestones was the opening of the Criminal Justice Training Academy in Arlington. This new facility expands training capacity for law enforcement officers, helping get new officers on the road and serving our communities more quickly. I was proud to join law enforcement personnel, fellow elected officials, and community members at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in March. 

On the legislative front, the County Council adopted legislation I sponsored to address nuisance RVs on county roads. Ordinance 25-021 limits RV parking on public rights-of-way to 72 hours and authorizes law enforcement to issue violations and impound vehicles that pose safety or health risks. Ordinance 25-022 allows the Nuisance Properties Abatement Fund to be used to implement the new law. Together, these ordinances align county code with local cities and help improve safety on our roads and in our neighborhoods. 

This legislation, and many other proposals, are the result of my ride-alongs with Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office personnel. Last year, I participated in three ride-alongs with different Sheriff’s Office teams to see firsthand the challenges they face on our streets. These experiences allow me to better understand conditions on the ground and identify ways we can support law enforcement in keeping our communities safe. 

2. Childcare

The lack of affordable and accessible childcare remains one of the most pressing issues facing families in Snohomish County. While many systemwide challenges must be addressed at the state level, the County took an important step forward with legislation I co-sponsored last year. 

The new code simplifies zoning and permitting processes, making it easier for childcare facilities to open across the county. Providers face numerous challenges, including facility barriers, workforce recruitment and retention, and regulatory hurdles. This ordinance was shaped by outreach efforts, including a panel discussion held during a Council meeting, to better understand and respond to the childcare crisis in Snohomish County. 

In August, the YMCA of Snohomish County celebrated the opening of its new Early Learning Center in Marysville. I joined fellow elected officials and community members for the ribbon cutting and toured the impressive new facility. The center includes four classrooms serving children up to five years old, with 40% of enrollment slots reserved for low-income families at reduced rates. 

3. Environmental Conservation

We live in one of the most beautiful regions in the country, from the Cascade Mountains to Puget Sound and everything in between. Preserving this natural environment is a top priority of mine, and we made strong progress on conservation efforts last year. 

I am honored to serve as Chair of the Conservation Futures Program Advisory Board, which reviews proposals to conserve wildlife habitat, farmland, and forest lands and makes funding recommendations. Last year, I visited each of our project sites totaling more than 516 acres of land preserved as open space. 

My office also partnered with WSU Beach Watchers of Snohomish County to host a Youth Beach Clean-Up at Kayak Point Park. More than 70 young people and their families volunteered, removing over 150 pounds of trash and debris. Participants also learned about protecting marine life from pollution and plastic waste through educational activities led by the Beach Watchers team. 

4. Workforce Training

The Regional Apprenticeship Pathways (RAP) Program welcomed its seventh cohort in September. This state-certified pre-apprenticeship program operates at Marysville-Pilchuck High School and serves students from school districts all across Snohomish County. The program continues to grow, now offering second-year students expanded opportunities to build skills and knowledge in the building and construction trades. 

In April, RAP hosted its annual Spring Showcase, where students presented hands-on projects and led tours demonstrating their progress. A highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2025 RAP Champion Award to Leonard Kelley, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Snohomish County Labor Council, in recognition of his outstanding advocacy for workforce development. Attendees also had the opportunity to try the new operating engineer simulators, funded through a county grant, which provide realistic heavy-equipment training in the classroom. 

5. Community Projects and Infrastructure Improvements

In the 2025–2026 budget, I helped secure funding for several local community projects aimed at improving parks throughout North Snohomish County, including: 

• Jensen Park Pump Track – Arlington 

• Post Middle School Crosswalk – Arlington 

• Frank Mason Park Dock Replacement – Granite Falls 

• Strawberry Fields Athletic Complex Improvements – Marysville 

• Heritage Park Dugout Enclosure – Stanwood 

My office also worked closely with County staff on broadband expansion projects. The most significant is the SR 530 project, which is bringing high-speed internet to nearly 5,000 homes and businesses between Arlington and Darrington. As of December, 218 miles of fiber had been installed and 643 locations enabled for service. This project is scheduled for completion this year, while additional projects in Verlot and Index are in the engineering phase and expected to begin in 2026. 

On the transportation front, the new I-5 interchange at SR 529 in Marysville opened in October. Originally funded through the 2015 Connecting Washington package, the state project allows access to and from downtown Marysville without delays from frequent railroad crossings. The new on- and off-ramps connect to a roundabout serving downtown Marysville and southbound SR 529 toward Everett. 

6. Youth Engagement

Encouraging young people to engage with local government has always been a priority for me. In January, we hosted our third annual Civic Education Day, welcoming more than 200 students to the Snohomish County campus to learn about county government, meet elected officials, and interact with staff across departments. 

I also visited several high school classrooms throughout the county to discuss civic engagement, political polarization, and the importance of responsible leadership at the local level. Whether through Civic Education Day or classroom visits, I am continually impressed by students’ thoughtful questions and genuine interest. These conversations give me great hope for the future. 

7. Cold Weather Shelters

When temperatures drop below 34°F, cold weather shelters open across the county to provide a warm, safe place for individuals experiencing homelessness. These shelters depend on volunteers to assist with check-ins, meals, and support services. I had the opportunity to volunteer at one of our local shelters and saw firsthand how the community comes together to help those in need. 

In April, the County Council recognized the volunteers and staff who make these shelters possible. Resolution 25-008 honored their efforts during a winter season when shelters were open 34 of 35 nights between January 11 and February 14, 2025. 

8. Government Efficiency

Planning and Development Services (PDS) is responsible for reviewing and issuing permits in unincorporated Snohomish County. In recent years, staffing challenges led to permit delays that failed to meet both county expectations and new state review timelines. Last year, PDS Director Mike McCrary presented to the Planning and Community Development Committee on steps the department has taken to improve efficiency. 

Two years ago, PDS had a 23-page list of overdue permits, with some projects delayed more than nine months. Through staffing adjustments, process improvements, and the creation of a public KPI dashboard, the department has significantly improved performance. As of the most recent update, no permits exceed required review timelines. 

This is a significant achievement, and I am truly grateful to every staff member who made it possible. It is an excellent example of leadership, teamwork, and innovation in local government. 

9. Family-Friendly Initiatives

As Chair of the County Council, I had the pleasure of joining Vice Chair Dunn in launching a Council leadership initiative to make Snohomish County more family-friendly, both as an employer and within the broader community. Last year, we began implementing ideas developed by our Family-Friendly Policy Workgroup. 

These efforts included launching a lending library at the county courthouse, hosting the first annual Kayak Arts Fest at Kayak Point Park, beginning work on a Council internship program, and organizing council-led community service projects. I’m excited about the momentum we’ve built and look forward to continued progress in 2026. 

10. Paine Field Updates

The addition of commercial flights at Paine Field has transformed how many residents experience air travel. Since 2019, passengers at Paine Field have enjoyed world-class service and facilities, earning recognition from multiple industry organizations. Recently, Alaska Airlines announced that nonstop service to Portland will resume in June 2026. This is an important addition for both business and personal travel. 

The County continues to plan for expanded flights and destinations out of Paine Field as Sea-Tac International Airport approaches capacity. Our Airport Master Plan, adopted in 2024, anticipates additional terminal gates, expanded parking, and facility improvements to accommodate increased demand while maintaining the high-quality passenger experience Paine Field has become known for.