Reardon will keep cabinet member

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, December 30, 2003

Susan Neely will stay on the Snohomish County executive’s cabinet when Aaron Reardon takes over as county executive, Reardon announced Tuesday.

Neely will remain the executive director in charge of human services and law and justice issues. She was named executive director by outgoing County Executive Bob Drewel in November 2001. Before that, she served eight years as a legislative analyst for the county council.

"Susan Neely is the person I want working in partnership with our department directors, the sheriff, our courts and the County Council. She asks the tough questions that enable the county to make responsible decisions," Reardon said in a statement.

"I’m very excited about it, and am looking forward to working with Aaron," Neely said.

Neely said the county jail would be her top priority. An $86.5 million expansion to the county jail is currently under construction and should be finished by March 2005.

"I’m very satisfied with the leadership we have in the jail now. But we are in a transition period and it will take everybody’s effort to bring this about," she said.

The position pays between $88,520 to $125,088 annually, and Neely earns a salary near the top of the 15-step range.

Reardon will be sworn in as Snohomish County executive at an 11 a.m. ceremony Monday at the Everett Events Center.