Construction has begun on a $2 million project to remodel and expand Snohomish County’s fleet facility building in Arlington.
The building, used for maintenance on up to 300 vehicles a year, will be rebuilt by Premium Construction Group, Inc. of Everett.
"We kind of outgrew the old facility," said Allen Mitchell, the county’s fleet manager.
A step between employees and media: A change in county executives has meant a major shift in how county employees work with the media.
Employees must now go to Mark Funk, spokesman for Executive Aaron Reardon, or communications coordinator Fred Bird before talking to reporters.
"We’re new here," Funk said. "We want to get a grip on who’s calling where, the questions they’re asking."
During Bob Drewel’s tenure as executive, county employees were encouraged to deal directly with the media.
Funk did not see any conflict between the new protocol and Reardon’s recent pledge for transparency in county government.
"I think it’s fair for us to know what questions are being asked," he said.
What deputies drive: Ford Crown Victorias make up almost half of the sheriff’s fleet of 323 vehicles, with Chevy Impalas a distant second.
There are 158 Crown Victorias in the fleet, but just 20 Impalas, the vehicle of choice for Sheriff Rick Bart. The "Crown Vic" has been criticized by police for its fuel tank design in recent years, and at least 14 officers in the nation have reportedly died in fire-related crashes during the past two decades.
Also in the sheriff’s fleet: Four 2 1/2-ton military tankers, four ambulances, three transit buses, and a military surplus Cadillac Gage V100 armored personnel carrier.
Claim of the week: A Sammamish, King County, woman filed a $500,000 claim against Snohomish County after she fainted and fell out of her chair while visiting her son in the county jail in November 2001. The woman broke her right arm in the fall.
Next week: The county council will hold a public hearing to take testimony on the initial growth targets for the update of the county’s comprehensive plan, the document that will guide development through 2025.
The targets dictate the amount of new residents that each city will take as more people move to the county in the next two decades.
The Public hearing is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Jackson Hearing Room, sixth floor of County Administration Building.
Reporter Brian Kelly covers county government for the Herald. He can be reached at 425-339-3422 or kelly@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
