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Welcome Note
Happy New Year! As we enter 2026, I wanted to take time to reflect on the work that we've been focusing on in 2025. Throughout the year, we've been hard at work visiting with constituents, getting youth involved in local government, and passing policies that support our communities. I have highlighted some of my favorite moments of the year in this newsletter. I am incredibly grateful for another year to be able to serve the constituents of District 4 and Snohomish County at large.
As always, if you have any questions, feedback, or if my office can assist with anything, please don't hesitate to reach out using the contact information listed below.
Jared Mead - County Councilmember, District 4
Jared.Mead@SnoCo.org
Angela Ewert - Legislative Aide to Councilmember Jared Mead
Angela. Ewert@SnoCo.org
- Civic Education Day - We kicked off 2025 with one of my favorite annual events, Civic Education Day, welcoming high school students from across the county to meet elected officials and county staff and learn how county government works. Councilmember Nate Nehring and I have hosted this event together for three consecutive years and are looking forward to welcoming students back for a fourth year at the county campus.
- WAIDF Panel - I also participated in a panel hosted by the Washington Institute for a Democratic Future, speaking with students about the impact of local government and the importance of civic involvement. January set a strong, energetic tone for the year ahead.
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February
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Silver Crest Park Ribbon Cutting - February allowed us to carry forward the momentum from January. I attended the Silver Crest Park Ribbon Cutting in Mill Creek, celebrating renovations that included improved pathways, recreational areas, and upgraded amenities made possible by the dedication of city and county staff.
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Behavioral Housing Site Visits - I also toured Helping Hands and Aurora Oaks, two behavioral health facilities providing compassionate care to some of our most vulnerable neighbors.
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Critical Areas Policy Work - As part of ongoing work on critical areas policy, I toured the Northwest Stream Center to better understand the science and ecosystems that shape these protected areas and how we can be responsible stewards of our natural environment.
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Childcare Zoning Ordinance - Councilmember Nehring and I introduced Ordinance 25-015, aimed at expanding access to childcare by reducing regulatory barriers across the county. I’m pleased to report the ordinance passed unanimously in March.
March
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Critical Areas Policy Work Continued - We closed out the first quarter of 2025 with a busy and productive month. The County Council hosted a panel discussion on critical areas, gaining expert insight on best practices, environmental protection, and development impacts. As part of the critical areas work, I toured Clearwater Commons, a strong example of low-impact development near wetlands and North Creek.
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Clearview Community Association Meeting - I also participated in a Clearview Community Association meeting to discuss zoning issues within the community. This community group is incredibly engaged in the issues that matter to them and I'm thankful for the opportunity to attend.
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Penny Creek Elementary School Crosswalk - In March, I visited a high-traffic crosswalk near Penny Creek Elementary School to evaluate safety concerns for students. With support from WSDOT, Snohomish County Public Works, and the City of Mill Creek, improvements were later implemented to create a safer route for students and pedestrians.
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Hope Creek Charitable Foundation Visit - To close out the month, I visited the Hope Creek Charitable Foundation, seeing firsthand the impact of their food bank and backpack programs serving communities around Snohomish County.
April
- Regional Apprenticeship Program Spring Showcase - April was another active month in District 4. I attended the Regional Apprenticeship Program (RAP) Spring Showcase, highlighting the success of this countywide, state-certified pre-apprenticeship program and the impressive work of its students and staff.
- Mill Creek YMCA Youth and Government Debate Presentation - I was invited to attend the Mill Creek YMCA Youth and Government debate, where students thoughtfully discussed issues important to their community while building leadership, public speaking, and debate skills.
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Critical Areas Policy Passage - After months of careful deliberation and public input, the County Council passed updated critical areas regulations, increasing protections for vulnerable natural areas while balancing growth in our area.
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City of Mill Creek Memorial Day Event - Over Memorial Day weekend, I attended the City of Mill Creek’s Memorial Day Ceremony, honoring those who gave their lives in service to our country.
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County Council Recognizes Wally Webster II - The Council also unanimously recognized Wally Webster II and the ACCESS Project for their work empowering youth through community engagement.
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State of the City Addresses - Mill Creek & Mountlake Terrace - Additionally, I attended State of the City addresses for both the city of Mill Creek and the city of Mountlake Terrace. I greatly appreciate the time and coordination to put these events on, it's great to be able to connect with city leaders and celebrate their accomplishments.
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Sno-Isle Early Childhood Education Graduation - June brought another busy month. I attended the Sno-Isle Early Childhood Education graduation, celebrating 55 graduates from a program that continues to expand countywide, with several students already entering the workforce.
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Evergreen Boys State - Alongside Councilmember Nehring, I returned for the third year to Evergreen Boys State to speak with students about leadership, civility, and public service.
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Juneteenth and Pride Flag Raising Events - The month of June also included moments of celebration and reflection, with attendance at Juneteenth and Pride flag-raising events coordinated by the Snohomish County Office of Social Justice.
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Grandeur Banquet Site Visit - I closed out June by touring the construction site of The Grandeur Banquet, a new cultural and community event space in Bothell.
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Regional Basic Law Enforcement Academy Graduation - July offered many opportunities to connect with the community. I attended the first-ever graduation of recruits from the Regional Basic Law Enforcement Academy in Arlington, which uses a centralized training model to prepare officers for service across our region.
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Snohomish County Family Day - I also attended the first annual Snohomish County Family Day, where county departments engaged families and shared their work with the community.
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Little Wings Learning Academy Groundbreaking Event - I was invited to attend the Little Wings Learning Academy groundbreaking, celebrating the Machinists Institute’s new early learning facility in Everett, designed to support families in the aerospace workforce. This new space will be a great addition to support working families in Snohomish County
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- Hope Creek Charitable Foundation Groundbreaking - In August, I attended the Hope Creek Charitable Foundation warehouse groundbreaking, marking an important expansion to support food distribution in Mill Creek, Everett, and surrounding communities.
- Snohomish County Council Job Shadow Event - I also hosted three students at the county campus for a job-shadowing experience, giving them the opportunity to attend council meetings, meet staff, and learn firsthand how county government operates. I am grateful for opportunities to inspire youth to engage in their communities and local government.
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- Clearview Community Town Hall - In kicking off the month of September, I attended the annual Clearview Community Town Hall, an open forum that allowed residents to raise questions and discuss issues such as zoning, traffic, and public safety.
- Budget Deliberations - September also marked the beginning of budget discussions, marking the County’s first biennial budget cycle. I appreciate the fiscal responsibility demonstrated by county departments and their stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
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Cascade High School Class Visit - In October, Councilmember Nate Nehring and I visited students at Cascade High School to discuss county government and civic leadership.
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North Creek High School Youth Civic Engagement Day - I also attended North Creek High School’s Youth Civic Engagement Day, where students provided feedback on local projects and learned about community involvement.
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Glacier Peak Institute Fall Gala - Another highlight was delivering the keynote address at the Glacier Peak Institute’s Fall Gala, recognizing the organization’s impactful work supporting underserved youth through education and enrichment programs. To learn more about the Glacier Peak Institute and the work they do, you can visit the link here.
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Make It Worthy Site Visit - As we approached the holidays, November was filled with meaningful community engagement. I visited Make It Worthy, a student-centered organization offering education therapy, tutoring, mentorship, and college preparation programs.
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City of Mill Creek Veterans Day Event - I also attended the City of Mill Creek’s Veterans Day event, honoring those who have served our country.
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Everett Chamber of Commerce Event & Dawson Place Luncheon - To close out the month of November, I was invited to the Everett Chamber of Commerce’s “From Vision to Take-Off” event, and the Dawson Place Transforming Hurt to Hope Luncheon, both of which highlighted the power of community collaboration and what we can achieve when we work together to serve our communities.
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- Innovation Lab High School Visit - We closed out the year on a high note. I visited the Innovation Lab High School to speak with students about local government and answer questions about public service.
- Regional Training Academy Graduation - I also attended the second Regional Training Academy graduation of the year, recognizing the importance of preparing law enforcement officers with the training and resources needed to serve Snohomish County safely and effectively.
- Councilmember Mead Takes Oath of Office - I was officially sworn in by Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell to serve my second term as a Snohomish County Councilmember, representing District 4. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the constituents of this community for another 4 years.
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