The Snohomish County Council on Wednesday unaninimously passed a $1.5 billion operating budget for the upcoming 2023 fiscal year.
“As council chair, it has been an honor to lead the process to pass the 2023 county budget with unanimous support,” said Council Chair Megan Dunn. “During deliberations I prioritized transparency and open collaboration and appreciate discussions with fellow councilmembers to work towards a balanced budget that reflects our shared values and goals. Many thanks to our analysts, clerks, staff and our legal support to help move the process forward along the most efficient timeline in recent county history.”
Added Council Vice-Chair Jared Mead, who represents the cities of Brier and Mountlake Terrace in the 4th District: “I’m proud of today’s unanimously passed budget which prioritizes public safety and investment into the justice system. Moving forward, I am excited to make the case for an even more robust investment in the early learning and childcare sectors.”
A few highlights of the 2023 adopted budget include:
– Continued funding for the body-worn camera program in the sheriff’s office
– Funding for two social workers working with the Office of Neighborhoods
– Addition of another District Court Judge
– Added funding for indigent defense
– Extension of the county’s Centennial Trail
– Additional funding for the new county health department to address septic issues
– Funding for sheriff’s deputy recruitment and retention
– Addition of a new fair manager
– Launch of a wellness pilot program for law enforcement
– Fundinng for Lord Hill parking improvements
– Adding investments to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in the form of four new deputy prosecuting attorneys, including one dedicated to training and two dedicated to a complex prosecutions unit
– Adding a new sheriff’s office precinct near the airport to respond to the busiest beat in Snohomish County
– Security upgrades for elections through a full remodel and space allocation
– Upgrades to the council chambers to allow for improved public participation in the hybrid meeting environment
– Use of time-limited federal ARPA funds to invest in behavioral health, substance use treatment, homelessness, workforce development, childcare and broadband access to underserved areas.
“I am proud to be a part of this unanimous budget that addresses the critical issues of public safety, justice and equity for everyone in Snohomish County,” said Councilmember Strom Peterson, who was recently appointed to represent the council’s 3rd District that includes Edmonds, Lynnwood and Woodway. “While there is always more work to do, I want to thank my fellow council members, the executive’s team, and all of the staff for welcoming me to this new role.”
County Executive Dave Somers also applauded the new budget, stating it not only will improve public safety and social justice but will “support our economic engines, including our businesses and workers. We will be able to help some of the most vulnerable members of our community, while preserving our unparalleled quality of life.”
The county will also “be able to make progress on adapting to climate change, while also ensuring we are developing wisely,” Somers added. “We were fiscally prudent, ensuring taxpayer dollars are wisely spent, and strategic about spending federal one-time dollars. We will make progress on the issues that our residents care the most about.”
Please describe how one time federal funds are going to support seniors? You have been explicit in how it will benefit other groups but old folks seem to be holding the empty bag. 2 how do you intend to fund programs/expansion of government in the future without putting further burden on real taxpayers?
In Snohomish County “social justice and equity” doesn’t include seniors apparently.
Is there a list available from Mr. Somers and this council submitted by residents and prioritized on the issues that
residents most care about according to Mr. Somers statement. Were the results from a countywide citizen survey?
“Political Curmudgeon” here. In possibly undeserved fairness to Somers and the Council, us Seniors do have things like Social Security (which we have earned – it’s not an entitlement), Medicare, and various Senior Centers around the county, which non-Seniors do not have going for them. Personally, I’m much more concerned about comments coming from the extreme Right, nationally, about “saving” Social Security and Medicare by privatizing them or putting funding for them up for debate every year. Looks like the Dem.s success in mid-terms might have stemmed the tide of that line of thinking for the time being at least. Sorry for going off subject a bit.
Here’s an example how seniors did not make the cut in the current county budget. Councilmember Strom Peterson is all about checking “social justice” boxes but that doesn’t include senior citizens. Further, not all seniors are banking big bucks with Social Security and Medicare.
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/everett/snohomish-county-cold-winter/281-09360063-8928-4d60-8d79-b0e41e9cb1fa
Strom Peterson seems to be about double dipping in the political arena as much as anything lately. And his wife even tried to get on the city council to boot. I’m trying to wrap my head around all that as being a good thing for the people. The average person in this country doesn’t understand or give a damn about Conservatism or Liberalism. We just want our politicians to be about solving our problems instead of creating them all the time, or in the worst cases, just being narcissistic attention hounds. This last election seemed to be somewhat about ending winner take all tribalism, or at least I hope so.
You’re absolutely right Clinton. Since Strom Peterson was appointed to the county council, a full time job for all 12 months, he should not have been elected to his position in the state legislature, which is also a full time job for at least a few months. It’s irrelevant how hard he works because he cannot be in two places at the same time.