SnoCo Council approves study for law and justice efficiency
Published 1:30 am Monday, June 22, 2026
EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council unanimously decided June 16 to move forward with an efficiency study in response to rising jail service costs and operational complexities.
The study will be carried out in partnership with the council, the Sheriff’s Office and the County Executive’s Office to ensure jail operations follow best practices and are as fiscally efficient as possible, a press release said. Next, council staff will work with the sheriff and the Executive’s Office to develop a request for contractors to submit proposals for the study.
Once the proposals are reviewed, one will be selected by Oct. 1.
In August 2025, District Court, the Office of Public Defense, the Sheriff’s Office and Corrections were all projected to overspend their 2025-26 biennial budgets.
The District Court is no longer projected to overspend, county spokesperson Kari Bray said in an email Thursday. The Sheriff’s Office and Corrections are still projected to overspend more than $8 million, and the Office of Public Defense is projected to overspend about $4.6 million.
These are based on a report given to council staff this month with information from January to March 2026, Bray said.
“We always want to be proactive and seek actionable insights to improve efficiencies,” Sheriff Susanna Johnson said in the release. “As the third-largest jail in the state, we oversee a complex operation that includes mental health services, medical care, and broad responsibilities, so we are looking forward to collaborating to carry this study through to completion.”
The council is in the early stages of constructing a 2027-28 biennial budget. Executive Dave Somers plans to present his recommended budget in September, he said during his annual county update on June 2.
Snohomish County is projecting a $27 million structural budget deficit in 2027, according to the county Fiscal Sustainability Task Force.
“As we face a structural budget deficit and increasing demands on our public safety system, it’s critical that we take a closer look at how our jail operates and uses resources,” council member Nate Nehring said in the release. “This study will help us work toward practical, data-driven ways to improve efficiency, support staff, and ensure we are delivering the best possible outcomes for our community.”
Each year, the county allocates about 74% of its general fund toward law and justice services, the release said.
In the county’s 2025-26 biennial budget, the courts, the Sheriff’s Office, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Office of Public Defense, the Clerk’s Office and Corrections were allocated about $454 million of the total $700 million general fund.
“Appreciate the collaboration,” Council member Megan Dunn said during the Tuesday meeting. “There’s also a similar study being done with our Department of Health that’s looking at different efficiencies and new opportunities for revenue.”
Taylor Scott Richmond: 425-339-3046; taylor.richmond@heraldnet.com; X: @BTayOkay
