The Boeing Company cut the ribbon on the new 737 MAX North Line in Everett on Friday, July 10. It was a joy to join that celebration and mark this important day for our region.
This is a billion-dollar investment by Boeing and a show of faith in what they can accomplish here in Snohomish County, where aerospace and manufacturing are core pieces of our economy and a combination of strong partnerships and skilled workforce is ready to make this a success.
This is the first MAX line outside of the Renton factory, and it will start operating with 1,000 employees and plans to grow employment alongside production. Boeing is a vital part of the fabric of Snohomish County and employs tens of thousands of skilled workers, supporting families throughout our region. They and their workers also give back to the community in so many ways.
After the ribbon has been cut, the hard work really begins. Boeing is in the right place for that work to be successful. I look forward to our continued partnership, and to the opportunities this brings to Boeing, our region, and travelers everywhere.
Over the Fourth of July weekend, communities throughout Snohomish County celebrated Independence Day and 250 years since the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. It was heartening to see people come together, and a reminder that independence isn’t about being on your own. We are fortunate to live in a place where our freedom means that we can come together and support one another. You can see a recap of some of the celebrations around the county in this highlights video.
As I shared during the County Update in June, we live in a beautiful corner of the world with a rich history of native cultures that nurtured and honored this land long before the United States was founded and before Washington became one of those states. July 4, 1776, was not the first time there was self-government in America. It was, however, a massive historical milestone as the brand-new U.S. government charted its path of independence.
There are more opportunities coming up to celebrate. The Evergreen State Fair team has fun opportunities for people to celebrate while enjoying the fair next month. Washington’s Semiquincentennial Committee also has more information and event opportunities you can learn about online, including Museum Day on August 8 and Day of Civic Engagement on September 17.
We can all be part of making our community and country a place worth celebrating for generations to come.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the opening of the New Start Center in Edmonds on June 29. It was a great crowd, and it’s clear that this center will make a difference in many lives.
The Edmonds New Start Center at 22127 Highway 99 will provide bridge housing designed to help people experiencing homelessness stabilize and connect with services that support long-term housing. Operated by YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish, the New Start Center has 24/7 on-site staffing and wraparound services such as life coaching, behavioral health support, employment assistance, and connections to permanent housing.
Getting folks in shelter and getting them the support they need is absolutely critical, and that’s what we’re trying to do here. The County looked at nearly 90 potential properties for the New Start Centers. We needed a welcoming place for people to call home for a time, knowing that the whole point is to get them support to lift them back onto their feet and into permanent housing.
The center is a former motel purchased by Snohomish County in 2022. The purchase and renovation were made possible by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) along with county Affordable Housing and Behavioral Health funds from a dedicated portion of local sales tax. That project is coming in on budget at a little under $17 million total. Ongoing operations are supported with a mix of local and federal housing funds.
The second New Start Center, located in Everett, is expected to open in August. More details to come soon. I hope to see you there for the celebration.
As Snohomish County grapples with important decisions around how to balance a strained county budget, we want input from community organizations, service providers, educational institutions, business partners, and our residents. Like many local governments, the County is facing growing financial pressures and is evaluating a balanced approach of revenue options and spending reductions.
Community perspectives are helping us better understand priorities and potential impacts as budget decisions are made. Over the last two months, Chief Budget Officer Kara Main-Hester has participated in a series of meetings with County boards and commissions, external partners, and several virtual roundtables with interested residents. We are grateful to the hundreds of people who have joined these conversations to share insights, discuss priorities, and identify community impacts from possible service reductions. These conversations are one important way to include community voices in the budget development process, and there will be more opportunities for public input between now and the end of the year.
Right now, my team and I are reviewing a wealth of information from County departments, offices, agencies and courts as we work to develop my recommended budget for the 2027-28 biennium. That will be presented to the County Council in September, with public hearings to follow in the fall. You can learn more about the County’s budget process and how to get involved on our budget webpage.
I’m grateful to welcome two dedicated County employees into new roles.
Josh Dugan will lead the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR’s) efforts to protect and enhance the county's natural resources while supporting healthy, resilient communities. He joined the County in 2015 as a Division Manager in Planning and Development Services and later served in a variety of leadership roles in the Executive Office, most recently as Executive Operations Officer. Josh brings his impressive experience, work ethic, and knowledge of the community to a department that is key to why people love Snohomish County. He's at the head of a great DCNR team that is committed to preserving the health of our environment and natural spaces while providing opportunities for the public to explore and enjoy them.
Rob Sprague served as Deputy Director in the Human Resources Department for more than four years. He’s been with Snohomish County for 13 years and was hired as the County’s first in-house negotiator. He was the chief labor contract negotiator for nine years in Snohomish County, and for seven years in King County. Rob for years has been an integral part of the leadership in a caring and dedicated Human Resources team. His expertise and his proactive and thoughtful approach will help ensure Snohomish County remains a wonderful and inclusive place to work. HR touches every facet of county government. Our people are the most important resource we have for delivering public services.
Last year, Snohomish County Emergency Management marked 20 years as a County department. The department’s 2025 annual report is now available online. You can take a look back at how our community has been shaped by rising to challenges, learn about the agency’s history, and discover more about its work to help the region become more resilient and prepared.
No agency can navigate a major emergency alone, and Snohomish County is fortunate to have strong partnerships with fellow counties, cities and tribes, public safety agencies, transit, businesses, schools, healthcare, nonprofits, and others. These partners rely on the County for foundational services like DEM. I thank the Department of Emergency Management for the tremendous work accomplished not only in 2025, but throughout the department’s 20-year history.
Link Light Rail was already highly used by the time the World Cup got underway this summer. Then, with games in Seattle and watch parties around the region, Light Rail had a chance to really shine. Hundreds of thousands of riders used it to get around our region. Local transit agencies also stepped up bus service for connections and shuttles, moving people around safely and efficiently so that they could enjoy the festivities whether they were locals or international guests.
What’s in a public arts project? Turns out it’s a lot. There's strategy, creativity, and cross-county teamwork.
This year, the Snohomish County Arts Commission designed, built, and installed five all-new art installations to celebrate World Cup. This project represents a $34,590 direct investment into local artists and the creative economy. These five “soccer ball” sculptures are made from 58” steel maritime buoys—a nod to Snohomish County’s maritime and industrial history. There’s one sculpture per County Council district and each piece enhances an existing building or park.
 
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