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Households across Snohomish County are already stretched by the cost of housing, childcare, food and utilities. I approach every proposal that asks residents to pay more with that reality in mind. My responsibility is to weigh the immediate cost against the services, outside funding and long-term consequences at stake, while insisting on clear public accountability for every dollar.
Recent Council votes on funding for public safety, the justice system and county roads required difficult choices. I evaluated each measure separately, considering its direct cost to residents, the reductions already made, the services and outside funding at risk, and how the County would account for every new dollar. Below, I explain what was at stake in each decision and why I voted to support it.
Protecting Public Safety and Justice Services
Justice Fund (Amended Ordinance 26-030)
By a 3-2 bipartisan vote, the Council approved the Justice Fund to prevent deep cuts across Snohomish County's public safety and justice system. Without additional revenue, 50 Sheriff's Office positions and 50 corrections positions faced furlough or elimination. The Prosecuting Attorney also warned that entire prosecution units could be lost, reducing the County's ability to pursue burglary, theft, unlawful firearm possession and drug distribution cases. Additionally, we would not be able to meet new state caseload standards for our public defenders and mandated functions for our courts and clerks.
The measure adds 0.1% to the sales tax, equal to one cent for every $10 in taxable purchases. The revenue is legally restricted to criminal justice purposes and must first maintain or increase staffing for the Sheriff's Office, jail, Prosecuting Attorney, Public Defense, Clerk, District Court and Superior Court.
Accountability was essential to my support. I sponsored an amendment requiring a public Justice Fund website where residents can track annual revenue, appropriations, remaining balances and year-over-year changes.
Keeping Road Projects Moving
Transportation Benefit District $20 Vehicle License Fee (Ordinance 26-009)
The Council approved a $20 annual vehicle license fee for vehicles registered in unincorporated Snohomish County. The fee is expected to generate roughly $6 million a year for the County Road Fund.
Before this vote, Public Works had already cut more than $100 million in long-term expenses and $10 million in near-term costs, used reserves, sold surplus property and held 74 positions vacant, about 18% of its workforce. Without a stable source of local revenue, the County risked losing $66.5 million in active state and federal grants supporting 14 transportation projects, along with 34 additional positions and capacity for snow, flooding and emergency response.
For me, the deciding factor was protecting outside investment. Local Road Fund dollars allow the County to qualify for and retain state and federal grants. Allowing $66.5 million tied to active projects to lapse would have meant delayed or cancelled projects, deeper maintenance cuts and a much larger cost later.
Learn more:
Financial Information and Tax Relief Resources
As a county, we are transparent in our expenses and revenue sources. More information on county finances, annual audits, and tax relief programs can be found below.
Track County finances:
Tax relief programs for qualifying residents:
 On Friday, August 28, I had the honor of joining The Salvation Army, County Executive Dave Somers and other local electeds, our Human Services and Facilities teams, and community members to cut the ribbon on the Everett New Start Center — Snohomish County's second bridge housing facility, following the Edmonds center that opened in June.
This project has been years in the making. Back in 2022, as Council Chair, I was one of three votes to purchase this former motel and its sister site in Edmonds. What followed were years of delays that tested a lot of people's patience. That patience has now become up to 73 residential rooms offering 90-day transitional housing, along with case management, behavioral health support, employment assistance, and help connecting residents to permanent housing.
Around 100 people from the Salvation Army, Snohomish County, the City of Everett and other community leaders attended the ceremony. The Salvation Army expects to begin accepting referrals within two weeks, with residents expected to move in before the end of September.
We chose this site on Everett Mall Way deliberately — it sits minutes off I-5, on Community Transit's core network, close to Providence Regional Medical Center and job opportunities nearby. Bridge housing only works if it actually bridges somewhere: to a job, a doctor's appointment, a bus that gets you there on time.
To everyone who refused to give up on this building through three hard years, and to the staff about to open these doors — thank you. And to the neighbors this center will serve: welcome, we didn’t give up on the building and we won’t give up on you.
You can watch the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Snohomish County TV.
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 Last month, I rolled up my sleeves to volunteer at two events for back to school. I helped give away backpacks at the Everett Boys and Girls Club (pictured along with Everett CM Erika Weir) and with Stuff the Bus for Kids, helping collect supplies and pack backpacks for Everett Public Schools students heading back to the classroom.
About 1,500 backpacks fully stocked with school supplies to set students up to success were handed out, helping more than 350 North Everett families.
The results speak for themselves: thanks to business partner supply drives, collections at QFC and Fred Meyer, and 244 volunteers who showed up between August 14–18, the community packed and delivered 3,700 backpacks in just five days — alongside nearly $50,000 raised to support students and families returning to school ready for success.
It's a great example of what's possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, donated, or spread the word.
Learn more about future volunteer opportunities with the Everett Public Schools Foundation.
On August 6, my Legislative Aide Nico Jensen joined City of Everett leaders and community members to celebrate the opening of Everett’s first skate dot at Lions Park. The approximately 2,000-square-foot facility includes a mini ramp, quarter pipe, ledge and manual pad, flat rail and dedicated skating path. Located next to the Cascade Boys & Girls Club, it gives neighborhood skaters a free place to practice and spend time together.
I was proud to help secure $80,000 in Snohomish County funding to support this project. Investments in neighborhood parks make a real difference by creating welcoming public spaces where young people can be active, build confidence and connect with their community.
Thank you to the City of Everett and the neighborhood partners who helped bring this idea to life.
Read more about the opening in The Daily Herald.
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Whether you've got a tiny apartment deck, a small garden bed, or acres to work with, WSU Snohomish County Extension's Growing Groceries Education Series can help you grow fresh, healthy food more sustainably. Classes are beginner-friendly and useful for experienced gardeners too, with a focus on making the most of limited space and navigating western Washington's tricky weather and soils.
When: Tuesday evenings, 6:30–8:30 p.m., online via Zoom.
Can't make a session live? A recording and resource links will be sent to everyone registered.
Class schedule:
- Nov. 10 — Starting a Vegetable Garden
- Nov. 17 — Growing in Small Spaces
- Dec. 1 — Healthy Soil = Healthy Plants
- Dec. 8 — Seed Starting & Growing Transplants
Cost: $10 per class, or $35 for all four.
Register: GrowingGroceriesWinter2026.Eventbrite.com
Full series details: extension.wsu.edu/snohomish/growing-groceries
Questions? Contact Rosy Smit at (425) 357-6024 or rosy.smit@wsu.edu.
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Join us in celebrating Recovery Month and the incredible work of Hope N Wellness at our Fourth Annual Recovery Month Celebration, hosted with support from the Everett Recovery Café. Come enjoy great food, a chance to win prizes, and time spent in community — because recovery is something we celebrate together.
We're especially looking forward to seeing our former Recovery Ripple Award winners, Holman Recovery Center and Courage to Change Recovery Services, among the community that will be there to celebrate.
When: Friday, September 25, 6–8 p.m.
Where: Everett Recovery Café, 1212 California St, Everett, WA 98201
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Even if you don't own a firearm, your children may spend time in homes that do. Providence Swedish, Be SMART, and the Snohomish County Health Department are partnering on a free Injury and Violence Prevention webinar to help families stay safe and prevent accidents.
When: Tuesday, September 30, 7–8 p.m. (a recording will be made available afterward)
What you'll learn:
- Secure storage practices to reduce gun violence
- How to talk to your children about guns
- Local and national resources
This month's session will also feature a special guest speaker on suicide prevention.
Register: Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit besmartforkids.org for webinar dates and registration.
Questions? Contact sarah.brouwer@providence.org.
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Snohomish County Public Works wants your input on where to prioritize road safety improvements across the county.
If you haven't already, take a few minutes to share your thoughts through the Road Safety Action Plan survey — your feedback directly shapes where safety investments go.
Take the survey: bit.ly/SnoCoRoadSafetySurvey
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 It's been the busiest summer for Washington State Ferries since 2019, and as peak season wraps up, WSF is inviting the public to two virtual community meetings to recap the season, talk about what's coming next, and answer your questions live.
When: Thursday, Sept. 10 — choose between 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. (both cover the same material)
Where: Online via Zoom — register for 11 a.m. or register for 6 p.m.
What's covered: New hybrid-electric vessels, expanded on-board Wi-Fi, terminal construction updates, and more — with most of the time set aside for audience questions
Can't make it live? You can submit comments ahead of time by emailing WSF, and recordings will be posted afterward on the community participation page.
For residents without home broadband, free temporary Wi-Fi is available at public libraries around the state — find a location near you. And if you want to stay on top of service changes year-round, sign up for rider alerts or track vessels in real time on the WSF map.
Everett Farmers Market
- Sundays, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. through October 25
- Wetmore Avenue between Hewitt and Pacific, Everett
- Shop farm-fresh produce, baked goods, artisan foods and handcrafted products from local vendors.
Schacktoberfest
- September 3-27
- Schack Art Center, 2921 Hoyt Avenue, Everett
- Browse 1,000 glass pumpkins and more than 100 works by regional artists during this free seasonal exhibition.
Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival
- Friday through Sunday, September 11-13
- Lighthouse Park, 609 Front Street, Mukilteo
- Celebrate Mukilteo with live entertainment, family activities, local vendors, food, the community parade and more; festival admission is free.
Community Access Skate Night
- Friday, September 11, 5:00 p.m.
- Everett Community Ice Rink, Hewitt Avenue and Broadway, Everett
- Enjoy free admission and skate rentals during this monthly community skate night; advance registration is required.
Fair on 44th
- Saturday, September 12, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Civic Campus, 19100 44th Avenue W, Lynnwood
- Explore emergency vehicles, demonstrations, health and safety resources, games, crafts and family activities at this free community block party.
Saturday D&D Group
- Saturdays, September 12 through October 17, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Evergreen Branch Library, 9512 Evergreen Way, Everett
- Teens and adults of all experience levels are invited to join a free Dungeons & Dragons campaign led by an experienced Dungeon Master.
Free Community Access Night at Imagine Children's Museum
- Thursday, September 17, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Imagine Children's Museum, 1502 Wall Street, Everett
- Families with children ages 12 and younger can explore the museum for free, with complimentary Everett Transit rides and a guided walking tour available at this month's event.
Edmonds Art Studio Tour
- Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Various locations around Edmonds
- This free, self-guided tour opens about 20 private studios, where visitors can meet local artists, see works in progress and shop handmade art.
El Sol Ribbon Cutting Celebration
- Saturday, September 19, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- 1226 W. Casino Road, Everett, adjacent to Walter E. Hall Park
- Celebrate South Everett's new community solar project with a ribbon cutting, project tours, local art, music, free solar-oven activities and refreshments.
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Celebration
- Saturday, September 19, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Evergreen Branch Library, 9512 Evergreen Way, Everett
- Families with young children can celebrate the harvest moon with stories, music and activities in Mandarin Chinese, Vietnamese and English.
Safe Aging Symposium
- Tuesday, September 22, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Online
- Older adults, caregivers and health care professionals can register for this free virtual symposium featuring practical aging resources and presentations from regional health experts.
Age Well Expo
- Wednesday, September 23, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Avenue, Mukilteo
- Older adults and caregivers can connect with local health services, wellness programs and resources that support healthy aging.
Bike Repair Clinic with Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop
- Thursday, September 24, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Evergreen Branch Library, 9512 Evergreen Way, Everett
- Drop in for free basic repairs to a bicycle or mobility device from volunteer mechanics; no registration is required.
Snohomish Studio Tour
- Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Various locations around Snohomish
- Visit private studios on a free, self-guided tour to meet artists, watch demonstrations and enjoy community art projects, live music and light refreshments.
Reading with Rover
- Saturday, September 26, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett
- Children ages 6 to 12 can practice reading aloud to gentle, patient therapy dogs.
Hibulb Free Day
- Thursday, October 1, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
- Hibulb Cultural Center, 6410 23rd Avenue NE, Tulalip
- Hibulb Cultural Center offers free admission on the first Thursday of the month, providing an opportunity to explore exhibits sharing the history, culture, and traditions of the Tulalip Tribes.
 (1) Hibulb Cultural Center — After a productive meeting with Tulalip Tribes leadership, I stopped by the Hibulb Cultural Center & Natural History Preserve and picked up a few more books on Billy Frank Jr., the Nisqually environmental leader and treaty rights advocate.
(2) Coffee with Port Commissioner — Catching up over coffee with Port Commissioner David Simpson.
(3) Lynnwood Luau, Blue Bell bus — Touring the Lynnwood Luau with Rep. April Berg, including a stop aboard Community Transit's Blue Bell bus.
(4) Lynnwood Luau, group photo — With fellow elected officials at the Lynnwood Luau.
(5) Lynnwood Luau, on stage — Sharing a few words with the crowd from the stage at the Lynnwood Luau.
(6) Stuff the Bus, volunteering — Gathering school supplies with an Everett Public Schools Foundation board member and Everett School Board member Anna Marie Jackson Laurence.
(7) Benji's Peach Cobbler, Evergreen State Fair — I love walking the fairgrounds and taking in local vendors' sweet treats, crafts, and artwork. Swing by Benji's for a delicious slice of peach cobbler!
(8) Farmers' Breakfast, Evergreen State Fair — Rep. April Berg and I woke up early to join local farmers for a hearty breakfast at the annual Farmers' Breakfast on opening day of the Evergreen State Fair.
(9) Boards and Commissions Appreciation Dinner, Evergreen State Fair — Grateful for the chance to celebrate the volunteers who serve on our county's boards and commissions, alongside Demi Chatters, Chair of the Snohomish County Human Rights Commission and Dr. Janice Greene, Chair of the Future Workforce Alliance Board of Directors.
(10) Evergreen State Fair ribbon cutting — Celebrating the Evergreen State Fair's opening day, Aug. 28, at the ribbon cutting with County Executive Dave Somers and fellow Councilmembers Low and Nehring.
(11) Everett–Community Transit Consolidation Open House — Joining the community conversation on the proposed Everett–Community Transit consolidation. More to come on this in next month's newsletter.
(12) Imagine Children's Museum — Touring Imagine Children's Museum with Rep. Mary Fosse and Executive Director of Administrative Services Alessandra Szebenyi, and hearing about the museum's plans for the future.
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