EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council passed a 2016 budget Monday that largely follows the contours that Council Chairman Dave Somers outlined last week.
The budget would continue to collect about $4 million in annual taxes for a future courthouse. Executive John Lovick had recommended cutting most of those taxes following the project’s implosion earlier this year. Some council members said the executive’s plan to seek an early exit from courthouse-related bond obligations would not have been possible.
Somers, who takes over as executive in January, said he looks forward to working with the council as a building committee examines how to replace the county’s existing courthouse and its myriad, well-documented problems. Recommendations are due by mid-year.
“I’m glad to see this,” he said. “It’s consistent with what I envisioned.”
Somers is set to leave the council following his victory against Lovick in the Nov. 3 election.
The overall budget passed 4-1, with Councilwoman Stephanie Wright casting the opposing vote. Wright did not offer an explanation and could not be reached immediately after Monday’s hearing.
The 2016 spending plan will pay for about 2,800 employees and includes a general fund of about $230 million.
A special feature is $1 million set aside for programs to reduce chronic homelessness.
Councilman Brian Sullivan, who promoted the idea, said he hopes to build upon the ongoing efforts of Everett and other communities to assist people suffering from mental illness, drug addiction and related issues.
“This is something we need to address and this is a great first step,” he said.
Next year’s budget also provides about $600,000 per year to build sidewalks in fast-growing unincorporated areas. That’s being paid for with a 1 percent increase in the county’s road levy, which will cost an average homeowner in an unincorporated area less than $5 per year in added property tax.
The idea is similar to a school-sidewalks program called Safe Kids, Improved Pathways that Lovick has championed, but has a broader focus. The program will pay for improvements that aren’t necessarily near schools. Money could be used for bike lanes, too.
Councilman Terry Ryan pushed to devote the extra revenue toward sidewalks because of the fast pace of development in neighborhoods he represents, including the North Creek area east of Mill Creek and Bothell. The council tasked the Public Works Department with drawing up a list of potential projects around the county next spring.
The budget also dedicates $200,000 in taxes collected on real-estate transactions to help pay for improvements at the Meadowdale Playfields, located in Wright’s district. The money will complement contributions for better sports facilities coming from the Edmonds School District along with the cities of Edmonds and Lynnwood.
The council also increased funding for the conservation futures program, which supports purchasing land for parks and open space. The 1 percent rise will cost an average homeowner about 27 cents per year in added property tax.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
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