Will you chip in to support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation today? Yes, I want to support My Edmonds News!
As the City of Edmonds grapples with ways to address an estimated $13 million budget deficit, the president of the Edmonds Police Officers Association (EPOA) says the union’s membership is willing to accept additional staffing cuts to preserve the city’s police department.
“We don’t feel great about our department’s spending and we want to be the ones to step up and say, ‘We should cut more,'” EPOA President Will Morris said.
A main driver behind the association’s offer is to ensure the stability of the police department, Morris said. He pointed to what Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen is calling “exploratory meetings” between the city and sheriff’s offices in Snohomish County and King County about the possibility of contracting with either one of those agencies for police services as a cost-saving measure.
To close the city’s budget gap in 2025, Rosen’s draft biennial budget released Oct. 1 proposed a combination of staff reductions, job furloughs and revenue-generating ideas. Since that time, city department heads also offered $7 million in additional cuts, including proposals from the police department — with a budget of $19.7 million in 2025 and a $20.6 million in 2026 — to cut three positions (one has since been reinstated by the city council) as well cutting a half million dollars by restructuring the department’s command staff.
“We don’t feel like we’ve done enough,” Morris said in speaking for the EPOA membership, which includes 48 commissioned police officers and 15 support staff. Despite the city council’s elimination of two positions — a police records officer and a parking enforcement officer — and approving a reorganization plan to cut $551,800 over the next two years, “we aren’t cutting enough,” Morris said.
The Edmonds Police Officers Association is instead proposing that the city return to a “back to basics” police department while the city develops long-term solutions for its financial crisis. According to Morris, the city has a total of 54 officers — which includes its command staff of three commanders, two assistant chiefs and a police chief — along with the 15 support staff. He believes the department could afford to cut 10-15 positions and still be able to respond to 911 calls and patrol, and provide a detective unit and a training officer, as well as comply with public records requirements. There would be changes in duties, of course, such as patrol officers handling both parking enforcement and animal control, he said.
Morris said he’s aware of criticisms regarding the growth of the police department’s command staff, which now includes a chief, two assistant chiefs and three commanders. The addition of those new police command positions — approved by the council as part of the 2022 budget — were in response to a 2021 Center for Public Safety Management (CPSM) audit that called the department’s management rank structure “dysfunctional” with no mid-level commanders.
“We understand the community’s comments about our [command structure] structure, Morris said. “We see the financial situation and know we are not going to be able to hire officers or support staff for a while. Is our command structure set up correctly and our department size? I don’t think any of our members would say that we have the correct structure.”
Morris said he has been proactive in his outreach on the matter — testifying at recent city council meetings and doing media interviews — because of the mayor’s recent meeting with the King County Sheriff’s Office about the possibility of contracting for services. Edmonds Police Chief Michelle Bennett — who worked for the King County Sheriff’s Office as a contract police chief for several cities — said in a recent interview regarding her upcoming retirement that contracting with county police agencies is expensive and may not make sense organizationally. But Rosen said Monday he is considering all options for mitigating the city’s budget crisis.
“Throughout this budget season and as we’ve been navigating the fiscal emergency, I have consistently indicated that every possible option and solution would be considered,” Rosen said in a statement Monday. “That doesn’t mean we will do them, but I do believe it is wise for us to identify them. As potential options are identified, the first step is to explore if they are even viable.”
Morris said that police officers association members were also frustrated by the news that the mayor was speaking with the King County Sheriff’s Office prior to having an official conversation with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. (Bennett said in her recent interview that members of her staff had contacted Snohomish County about the possibility of contracting with them but were told such a contract would be “really, really expensive.” She also said the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office currently lacks the infrastructure and personnel to accommodate Edmonds’ police calls. When asked about that, Morris said he believes those were informal conversations, and that he had heard from his public safety counterparts in Snohomish County that there is definite interest in such a contract with Edmonds.)
He added that the cost of Edmonds contracting with King County would be “significantly higher” than contracting with Snohomish County, which already serves nearby unincorporated areas, including Esperance.
As the police association offers to cut additional staff, Morris said that his members are also frustrated that 18 months ago, during Mayor Mike Nelson’s administration, officers were told the department had plenty of money to spend. “So we buy things before we are able to implement them and [before we] have a tangible way to provide the services,” Morris said. Two examples he offered: The department purchased bicycles for a police bicycle unit that is rarely used and it also bought dive equipment, but no one on the police staff is dive certified.
“There’s no bandwidth” for staff to implement the new programs and “just no follow through,” Morris said.
Morris added that officers are well aware of the tax fatigue facing residents: Depending on what the city council decides, there may be a public vote in 2025 on whether to annex into the regional fire authority (RFA), which would increase property taxes. And the city council has already agreed to place a property tax levy lid lift on the ballot in 2025. In addition, Snohomish County just raised property taxes by 4% and Washington State also has a budget deficit.
All of those competing priorities are why Mayor Rosen said he wants to ensure that all options are on the table, including the possibility of contracting for police services.
“The time to identify potential actions is now,” Rosen said. “It is not prudent to wait until things like the RFA or levy lid have been decided by voters later in 2025. As a city, it is critical we create a preferred plan but also develop Plans B and C should Plan A not come to fruition.”
At the same time, with the city’s budget problems, some Edmonds police officers are looking at leaving for other cities that are offering thousands of dollars in lateral recruiting bonuses, Morris said.
According to Morris, the bottom line is this: “We are aware of the isues that are going on in the community. We are just as concerned and we want to be part of the solution. We feel like we can provide a good service and maybe go back to a basic police department while a financial solution is being developed.”
“We have a great police force in Edmonds,” Rosen said. “I look forward to working with the council and the union to find ways to fix the budget, fix our structural issues, maintain our police force, and ensure the safety of our residents.”
— By Teresa Wippel
Hello Editor, I interpreted the timing of the City’s recent decision for a new property tax ‘lid lift’ ballot measure differently. The taxes need to be collected in 2026 so that the City stops borrowing from the utility funds. The $6M size of the new levy represents the annual 2026 funding need. So I believe the ballot measure would have to go the the voters in 2025, and affect the tax rate set by the Assessor that is effective Jan. 2026. This is a key piece of info because it means the Edmonds voters could see two ballot measures in 2025 for big property tax increases, after not having such election activity for several years. (The other tax related ballot measure could be annexation into a regional fire authority.)
Please verify with Acting Finance Director Dunscombe. Thank you
You are correct — that was misstated in the article and I will correct it.
Edmonds police are fantastic. They keep Edmonds the livable city that it is…responding to all kinds of calls, even minor calls, that other departments laugh at. There is no way the sheriff’s department of either county can provide the kind of service we get from these dedicated men and women. How did we arrive at this horrible place where this is even being considered?
Keep our EDMONDS POLICE DEPARTMENT!
I agree 100%with you . All the Residents we should get together to protest this outrage!
But do you have any ideas to find money to fund their salaries and benefits? Because they cannot survive by breathing only air!
The state, counties, and cities can explore better options like:
1. Keep the current number of police personnel and make them work at 20 hrs. a week
2. Request citizens to self police and be more proactive and law abiding (Easier said that done!) thus requiring less police action
3. Counties can increase properly tax assessment because real estate values has appreciated
4. State should try to introduce state income tax and reduce the current sales tax rate because sales tax is quite regressive and affects poor people more than the rich
5. State income tax will not only bring in needed revenue but also bite the pockets of the rich who are getting away with murder by not paying enough in state taxes.
6. State should run a campaign to educate the poor and middle class as to how a state income tax will be fairer to all and thus help win the ballot measure!
7. Introduce corporate tax structure and get rid of the current tax regimen!
Simply because our properties have increased in value does not mean we have more money in our pockets
Many of us bought our houses many years ago when we were could afford them, whereas today we would
not be able to afford the same house due to increases in cost.
We incur the maintenance costs, etc which also have increased sharply. To increase property taxes could necessitate property owners having to sell their homes.
Now a question – did Edmonds buy the Burlington property on 99 & 104 the King/Snohomish county line?
If so – how is that working out? Profitable? Or another debt?
I
The Burlington property was not purchased.
Well since we were annexed (in late 90’s) the ONLY efficient & reliable dept I have encountered IS the Police Dept!! The Public works, overcharge and WAY overpriced. I have run into some really rude and mouthy road crews because their signs confusing from one day to the next and they appear to be really heavy with “extra” people. Also can’t get an answer about overgrown hedges asked in sept, nov & dec ! Well Mr Mayor and City Council; we in Esperance part of City pay MORE than our share STILL ! Stupid storm water we have always paid increase 6 (now 7) months ahead of the increase that other residents pay. Financial Dept obviously also inefficient & incompetent and prev Director when it was pointed out said, “we like it fine the way it is”. But when Mr Ogonoski complained about increase in Jan on his water bill including dates in prev year (just days) increase was moved to Feb. In Feb WE are paying 2nd half of previous years. (at higher rate) . Well Mr Mayor, what happened to your pre election comment, that you didn’t like things not “even to all residents”. You would review if elected… when might that be? You have never responded to any email, neither has the Council! No wonder city broke, in over their head.
Jean,
I’m not sure where to begin, it sounds like you’re upset about quite about. I’ll start by saying law enforcement is very important to any city but I’m sure if you look up some stats about Edmonds and crime the city is over equipped to manage the load in Edmonds like Mr. Morris states in his address to council. With that being said , the budget that Edmonds Public works has to work with has been affected leaving them to do more with less. I’m sure you have seen the state of a lot of the roads in Edmonds being in disrepair. Did you know that public works also sets up for parades and other community events which often times take precedence along with hanging banners. Do you live in Esperance, if so that is county and not Edmonds responsibility as far as public works. I would recommend to you that you go to council meetings to voice your concerns. I applaud Mr. Morris for stepping up and wanting to be apart of the solution to get this city back on track, it’s one small step in the right direction with MANY more to take.
Chris, you didn’t read my comments. I think the POLICE ARE GREAT . I have had numerous interactions with them over the years they are right there when called there is no way the county could do their job as well as they do! It is beyond my comprehension that it would be suggested. I was County and sheriff and never got the response the City has provided. Not that they aren’t also very good, just short handed for the large area they cover. i’ve lived in house 53yrs. 2nd yes, we are Esperance and this area of it city, as I stated annexed in late 90’s there is a part that remains County. 3rd Yes this section billed different than other City residents because we are Olympic View Water. So City bills us annually for storm water but didn’t know how to do it(?) so bills first half in aug at that years rate, bills second half in Feb of the next year at that new increased rate.. Not the rate in effect for the period they are billing June/Dec of previous year. Yes I’m mad as everyone in this section of Esperance but City of Edmonds should be! Amazing how many people do not read their bills. Why should we approx 3,013 pay an increase of 12.50 (and raising) retroactive by 7 mos
I reminder to all that we have a THREE ALL-CAPS words limit in the comments. I would appreciate everyone following that rule.
INCOME TAX … crazy! when you have someone that can’t live within their means or budget as most of us have to, like the State or City which just say oh well we will increase taxes… every where and anyway we can. They are not concerned about where WE are going to get the needed additional money. An income tax is like giving them Carte Blanc, this State and the Cities would be in hog heaven . Most tax payers are aware of that and always stopped it. Thankfully! We are already taxed at every turn and squeezed to the limit and you want one with an
open end… Its not the answer or solution. Its poor management and throwing more money at it doesn’t fix it just feeds it and encourages it.
We have an outstanding police force in Edmonds. We must keep it.
But how is the question?
With cuts being made at every level–federal, state, county, city, etc. there isn’t any money left. We cannot rely on the incoming Trump administration because they need all the money there is to round up illegals, house them, hold trials, and transport them to yet unknown destinations by air. So that’s the priority and people have voted for it. Remember, elections and voting have consequences!
We need to keep EPD as a City run department. We are now dealing with the negative consequences of eliminating our City run Fire Department in 2009. Do not make that mistake again with our police department. Local control and accountability is very important to good policing. I do not want a police force run by the King County Executive and his appointed Sheriff or the Snohomish County Sheriff. The offer of EPOA to negotiate a smallerless costly department during the budget crisis should be applauded and accepted. By law, the Mayor is the chief law enforcement officer in Edmonds. Do not bind the hands of future Mayors with a contracted out police department.
Mark: Very well stated. I agree with you 100%.
I am reminded of the ongoing battle the City is having with the King County
Sheriff whom the City contracted out its policing. The Sheriff refuses to enforce the city ordinance on camping in public places. “(Mayor) Schilling said the city is not satisfied by law enforcement provided by the sheriff’s office, including what he called ‘non-enforcement’ of drug laws.”
We do not need outside forces deciding what laws of the city are enforced.
I’ve never really understood the strange logic that a Regional Fire Service is somehow a really wonderful idea to save money on management, training and equipment but a Regional Police Service is a really bad idea even if it supposedly accomplished the same savings on management, training and purchasing equipment. If it works (hint: it really doesn’t) in one area, why not the other? The reason Regional Fire doesn’t work economically is management and labor essentially are one and the same with no real checks and balances on necessary as opposed to wouldn’t it be nice spending. Costs for labor and equipment go out of control. With regional Police the system is that the City Chiefs are actually high level County employees who must answer to the elected County Sheriff. Where this is done it works pretty well. Shoreline, for example, has police cruisers that say Shoreline Police with little tiny letters that say managed by KCS Dept. Stanwood has used the same system with success for years in Snohomish County. Regional policing works economically, IMO, because management and labor aren’t pretty much joined at the hip like SCF and the IAFF. The IAFF slogan is “Labor and Management Working Together.” Don’t believe me, just google it.
I commend both the Officer and the Mayor for being willing to think out of the box a little bit on the issue of Police service overspending. We are in the situation we are in now with Fire Service because the Mayor and Council at the time of contracting failed to listen to the one Council Person who opposed it, Stephen Bernheim, who predicted exactly what has happened. Mayor Rosen should meet with the Mayors or City Managers of several towns where County Contracting is used to get their take on the success or failure of it in the real world and then hit a few coffee shops in the town to do some man in the street interviewing to see how Joe Sixpack feels about the services they are getting to assess the truth or not of what the executives have told him.
Please, someone tell me my online research results are incorrect. The Snohomish County Sheriff has @280 deputies. Edmonds PD has @38 officers.
Snohomish SHERIFF salary, @$237,000
Edmonds POLICE CHIEF salary, @$268,000
The police chief also has 2 assistant chiefs to help manage the department.
I would want to work for the city as well. Are other departments as top heavy salary wise?
Who audits city expenditures. Did we not know before now, that we are broke.
I find the EPDA attitude expressed by its president, Officer Morris, admirable and a good example for the firefighters union. Such authenticity is refreshing. Obviously the mayor and City Council heard his presentation, but let’s hope they also pay heed to the wisdom expressed in some of the above comments.
Someone please correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t the police rank and file and administration just receive an 18- 19% pay raise? We know that Chief Bennett is now earning $296,000 a year plus benefits – this up from the $176,000 Former Chief of Police Al Compann was earning in 2019. Thank you EPOA President Will Morris for your willingness to look at cutting costs. We appreciate and love our police department. Your suggestion of cutting $1-2 million from a budget that has grown from $11 million in 2019 to $20.5 million in 2025 is staggering and boggles the mind – why? So this $1 million or $2 million cut is appreciated but simply isn’t enough. Would the EPOA be willing to consider cutting their raises from 18-19% to the cost of living index (CPI) of 3.2%, or none until 2027? Many major corporations are laying off thousands of workers – Boeing, Google, Amazon…. Those that remain are not receiving any pay raises. This is an inflationary economy and taxpayers simply can’t afford the kind of pay raises our public servants are receiving.
With mayor and council pushing the RFA annexation with tax increases of $960/yr; a $6 million levy lid left in 2025, and more in the future; a 4% property tax Snohomish County increase, the taxpayer is tapped out.
Regarding many comments saying that Edmonds police personnel are great, etc. while true but where is the money to keep them going?? Is there a money tree in our vicinity that anybody know of! The shortfall of funds is real and cuts have to made wherever possible to balance the budget.