On Tuesday, Sept. 1, I presented my 2027-28 recommended budget to the Snohomish County Council.
This is the tenth time I have recommended a county budget as Executive. With every budget, I have always committed to one thing: helping build a future for this region where everyone can thrive. That means we create the future we choose, not allow circumstances to dictate what happens to us.
Reflecting on my past experiences, this has been one of the hardest budget cycles due to rapid inflation, a long-standing structural deficit, and limited revenue tools available to counties. But we are not alone in the fiscal challenges we face. Cities, counties, and the state are all facing similar pressures.
The fiscal pressures we face do not – and must not – change our obligations to the public. We provide foundational services for residents, businesses, visitors, and our fellow government agencies.
It is an honor to serve the residents of Snohomish County. I’ve seen firsthand how county government is integral to the systems our residents rely on every day. We provide regional services that are not provided by anyone else. And we provide urban services in unincorporated areas.
Our departments, offices, and courts have duties unique to each of them, but there is no doubt that we need one another. We are strongest in the areas where we’ve woven as many threads together as possible to create something meaningful. Before you cut one thread, you must be aware of how it connects to others. If it’s the wrong thread, the entire tapestry could unravel.
I have recommended a balanced county budget for the upcoming biennium that addresses key public priorities and takes advantage of opportunities for change. I am making strategic recommendations to protect areas that have started to fray, while making targeted cuts that won’t unravel the system.
We cannot make this budget about silos and pitting people against each other. We must focus on strategic decisions to serve the entire county.
I want to sincerely thank all the county staff, leaders, and community partners who have been involved in helping shape a thoughtful, sustainable, and responsible budget recommendation.
I encourage all county residents to stay informed and involved. The Snohomish County Council has set its community forum for 6 p.m. on October 7.
 Executive Somers and Council Chair Megan Dunn pose for a photo after the budget address
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday, August 28, to celebrate the opening of the Everett New Start Center.
The center at 1602 SE Everett Mall Way is operated by The Salvation Army and will provide time-limited bridge housing along with 24/7 on-site staffing and wraparound services such as behavioral health support, connections to medical and dental care, assistance with employment and benefits, life skills development, and connections to permanent housing.
The center is a former motel purchased by Snohomish County in 2022. Up to 73 residential rooms are available at the location. 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. The project is coming in on budget at a little under $22 million including purchase and renovations. Ongoing operations are supported with a mix of local and federal housing funds.
There are now two New Start Centers open in Snohomish County. The first opened in June in Edmonds.
We’ve heard clearly from the community that they want us to focus on programs and projects that can help people early on, before they find themselves in worse circumstances that cost them and the public more. By helping people stabilize and get out of homelessness, we make an immediate impact on that person’s life and a long-term impact on our community.
If you weren't able to attend the event, you can catch it on Snohomish County TV.
The Evergreen State Fair continues through Labor Day. Snohomish County’s biggest annual event has been shaping family memories for 117 years. Whether you go for the showcase of crafts and skills, the animals, the rides, the shows, or the famous fair food, there is something there for everyone.
You can visit the Fair between September 3 and September 7. On Thursday the 3rd, get $5 admission and $5 parking all day for Healthy Communities Family Day. And on Friday the 4th, enjoy a 7 p.m. concert to celebrate America’s 250. The musical tribute is included with Fair admission that day.
I look forward to the Fair every year, and I hope you all have a chance to enjoy it this year.
 Fair honoree Sue Sanderlin-Berry cuts the ribbon on the 2026 Evergreen State Fair opening day.
Snohomish County Public Works is seeking public input about road safety as part of developing a Safety Action Plan for the county’s Road Safety Program.
The Safety Action Plan will identify priorities and projects that are specific and actionable, establishing clear steps for how Snohomish County will move toward the goal of zero serious and fatal traffic injuries.
The Future Workforce Alliance and Workforce Snohomish this week announced the launch of a new initiative that will be a jobs-first investment in workforce development. The Skills for Snohomish County’s Future Initiative starts with confirmed employer demand and works backward to prepare and connect talent, rather than starting with training and hoping it leads to a job.
The Future Workforce Alliance (FWA) is Snohomish County's designated local workforce development board, focused on connecting businesses, job seekers, and training resources to strengthen economic opportunity in the county. Skills for Snohomish County’s Future is a business-driven, year-long pilot that marks a shift in strategy: rather than organizing services primarily around individual job seekers, it builds a coordinated response to employer demand for skilled talent, while ensuring county residents have real access to high-quality career pathways.
The FWA Board of Directors approved the investment as part of its broader strategy to strengthen the region's workforce system. FWA is the first local workforce development board in the nation to adopt the Skills for America model.
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