Help Snohomish County figure out how to make ends meet

Wanted: Five new deputies, a code-enforcement officer, an intact rainy-day fund and no layoffs.

EVERETT — A debate is brewing over a proposed tax hike to pay for Snohomish County government services next year.

County Executive Dave Somers said it’s necessary to raise the property tax slightly to hire five new sheriff’s deputies and a code-enforcement officer, without resorting to layoffs or raiding the county’s rainy-day fund. Somers’ plan would cost the owner of an average-valued home a little over $11 next year.

A majority of the council isn’t sold on the increase. They still would like to hire more deputies, though.

“It’s a big puzzle,” County Councilman Terry Ryan said. “I believe we can pay for those five deputies by cutting some of the proposed spending that the executive has in the budget.”

Ryan said he’s working on a “more modest proposal” with a smaller tax increase.

Councilman Sam Low also wants to keep new taxes to a minimum, if any. County Councilman Nate Nehring goes further: He has come out against any tax increase whatsoever.

The three declared skeptics all have a history of holding a tight line on finances. They’re all also up for election this fall.

That could lead to interesting discussions over the next month about how to make ends meet.

People are invited to learn more, and share their thoughts, at two public hearings Wednesday. The meetings are set for 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. in County Council Chambers. The council could vote on a final budget as early as Nov. 13.

Expenses are going up faster than revenues in county government, despite the strong economy.

“This has been a pretty good year,” Deputy County Executive Marcia Isenberg said. “Our revenues have increased about 3.5 percent. Costs are up about 5.3 percent. That’s without adding a single deputy.”

With no change in taxation, the operating budget would start in a $3 million hole, just to keep services and staffing status quo. The imbalance owes largely to rising salaries and health care costs. Hiring five new deputies would cost about $925,000, for pay, benefits and other expenses, Isenberg said.

Property taxes are the simplest tool elected officials have for raising money. They’re limited to a 1 percent yearly rise, but also can reclaim increases they haven’t taken in the past.

Each additional 1 percent in the general levy would add about $865,000 to county coffers next year. Somers proposed a 4 percent increase, which would cost the owner of a house assessed at the countywide average of $336,000 an extra $11.32 next year.

Somers’ suggested operating budget would total $252 million. His plan includes new equipment at the sheriff’s office. It would pay for a new code-enforcement officer to help the county planning department investigate land-use and environmental complaints. Somers also put more money toward services for military veterans.

Ryan wants to carve out a position for an urban planner to figure out infrastructure needs in the fast-developing North Creek area, from Mill Creek and Bothell east to Highway 9.

Somers’ draft plan would add six new employees to next year’s operating budget. That number excludes departments funded through fees, grants and other dedicated sources. The county’s total payroll exceeds 2,900.

The county also levies taxes for road work and land conservation. Separately, the County Council is considering a new rate system for the Snohomish Conservation District. The proposal would cost most property owners in unincorporated areas and some cities another $5 next year, though payments for some would go down. The council postponed that vote until 10:30 a.m. Nov. 22.

The county’s tax increases are small compared to the extra load homeowners shouldered for voter-approved Sound Transit tax hikes, starting this year, plus more on the way in 2018 thanks to the Legislature’s school-funding plan.

The same homeowner facing a $11.32 property-tax bump for county services is looking at a $272 rise for state school funding, or an estimated 81 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The ST3 package that voters in more urban parts of Snohomish, King and Pierce counties approved last year adds $84 to that same tax bill, or 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

County Council Chairman Brian Sullivan, who has a lead role reshaping Somers’ budget, said it’s too early to say where things will wind up.

“There are so many moving parts, to speculate would be premature,” Sullivan said. “I really need to work on this as hard as I can and to get this to a winning majority.”

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Hearings are scheduled Wednesday on the proposed 2018 budget from Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. People are welcome to testify about county spending at 10:30 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. at the Henry M. Jackson Board Room, 8th Floor, Robert J. Drewel Building, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett. The budget includes $929 million in total revenue for public safety, roads and parks, solid waste, building services and more.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.