Volunteers sought to write county charter review statements

EVERETT — If you feel strongly about local government, here’s a chance to get involved.

Snohomish County needs volunteers to write statements for and against proposed changes to the structure of county government. They’ll be working off the seven recommendations made last month by the elected charter review commissioners.

Separate committees must draft statements for and against each of the seven proposed charter amendments. A committee may include up to three members.

To apply for a pro or con committee, submit a completed application to the County Council by noon on Monday, July 18. Find the application form at: www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ProConCommittee.

Committee statements must be written by Aug. 16. Rebuttal statements in response to the opposing committee are due by Aug. 19.

Snohomish County is one of seven Washington counties with a charter form of government. Voters once every decade elect fifteen charter review commissioners — three from each council district — to look into potential charter changes.

Those commissioners made the following recommendations June 29:

Adding the county’s Human Rights Commission to the charter.

Adding an Office of Public Advocate to the charter. That position is currently known as the Office of the Ombudsman and was created in 2014.

Updating county policies about nondiscrimination.

Removing the County Council from its quasi-judicial role in appeals of hearing examiner decisions that involve land use, environmental permits or licenses.

Requiring some council meetings outside Everett, the county seat, and evening meetings for certain public hearings.

Changing the appointment procedures for county department heads.

Updating the process for redrawing county council districts.

Learn more about the Charter Review Commission at www.snohomishcountywa.gov/3520/Charter-Review-Commission.

For questions, contact Stephen Clifton, the council’s chief of staff, at stephen.clifton@snoco.org or 425-388-3471.