Inside Everett’s checkbook

Everett officials cut $106,237,551 in checks last year. That’s around $1,000 spent for each of the 100,000 people who live in the city. Just for starters, that money went toward utility projects, streetscape improvements downtown and a planned municipal courthouse. It paid for expert advice, land pu

rchases and pizza. Who is doing business with the city?

More than 20,513 checks were cut in 2010 — the smallest for a single penny. More than 5,000 businesses and people received those checks.

Below, you’ll find a searchable database of the checks written by the city. That data includes the name of the business or individual and the amount each received. We invite you to search by name or amount and let us know if you see anything that deserves more reporting. Send your ideas to needtoknow@heraldnet.com.

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Everett’s top payees

Public works projects and bills paid to other governments dominate the City of Everett’s top 10 payees in 2010.
1. Tri State Construction: 13 checks worth $6,748,565.74. The Bellevue-based company is engaged in a $20 million water transmission line replacement.
2. KLB Construction: 15 checks worth $4,859,817.89. KLB of Mukilteo won contracts for multiple projects, including sewer work, road improvements and moving dirt at the Riverfront Project.
3. PUD No. 1 of Snohomish County: 73 checks worth $4,789,249.09. The city purchased electricity for all its buildings and street lights.
4. MWH Americas: 18 checks worth $3,733,689.53. This international company with offices in Bellevue is a “wet infrastructure” expert. It was hired to work on projects involving water lines, including one to Tulalip.
5. Snohomish County Corrections: 16 checks worth $3,589,035.59. The city contracts with Snohomish County to provide jail services.
6. Department of Commerce: three checks worth $3,490,806.27. This is a repayment of public works trust fund loans used to pay for utility projects.
7. SnoPac: 12 checks worth $2,691,786.97. SnoPac is a regional public safety communications center. Everett uses it to dispatch police and firefighters.
8. Associated Petroleum Products: 45 checks worth $2,635,314.99. This contract covers fuel for all city vehicles.
9. Community Transit: 21 checks worth $2,449,770.01. Everett Transit is paying CT to build stations. It also pays CT to operate the Swift buses within Everett.
10. Hall Conway Jackson: four checks worth $2,004,840.51. The Bothell brokerage firm provides insurance, including excess liability, property and public official coverage.

Vendors of interest

The city spends a lot on expert advice — lawyers, lobbyists, consultants. It also spends money on more routine items: office supplies, furniture, police cars and coffee. Here are some interesting examples.
State Treasurer: 14 checks worth $1,759,938.01. This represents the state’s share of municipal court fines.
Kimberly Clark Worldwide: 12 checks worth $1,302,000. The city is still paying for 64 acres purchased in late 2005 for $10.5 million from the company.
Hoglunds Top Shop: 31 checks worth $25,347.84. The Everett-based custom upholstery and car interior shop makes repairs to the city’s vehicle fleet.
Costco Wholesale: 28 checks worth $14,924.93. Costco is one of dozens of businesses where city employees charge supplies under open purchase orders.
Alfy’s Pizza: six checks worth $1,422.64. Pizza gets ordered for multiple reasons, including to feed firefighters who are kept long at a scene and for the mayor’s youth council.
Heartland: eight checks worth $39,100.15. The Seattle-based real estate consultant was paid for advice on the Riverfront project.

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