Auditor agrees to transfer management of county tech system

EVERETT — Snohomish County Auditor Carolyn Weikel has agreed to hand over management of the county’s computer systems later this month, likely ending a dispute with County Executive John Lovick.

The County Council could authorize the transfer at a hearing set for 10:30 a.m. Sept. 24. The tech department had been scheduled to return to the executive’s authority next February.

“I had a plan to move IS (information services) forward, but I don’t have the future,” Weikel said last week. “It’s time for the IS folks to stop feeling like a ball being tossed back and forth.”

Leadership of the tech department became a point of contention among county leaders this year. Historically, tech workers have fallen under the authority of the county executive. In early 2013, however, the County Council snatched control of the department away from Lovick’s predecessor, Aaron Reardon. The emergency move came as Reardon’s aide, Kevin Hulten, was implicated in harassing his boss’ political enemies through an elaborate scheme of public records requests and social media sites.

The council entrusted the tech department to Weikel as a temporary safeguard with a sunset date in February 2015. In the meantime, Reardon resigned and Lovick was appointed to take his place.

The criminal investigation led to Hulten’s guilty plea in July to a charge of evidence tampering, a gross misdemeanor. He admitted downloading a program that wiped data from the hard drive of a county-owned computer he knew detectives wanted to examine. Hulten reported to a work crew in Skagit County last week to serve a five-day sentence.

Weikel said she wanted to retain control of the computer department to push through a series of reforms. Some changes involved making abundantly clear that county computers and phones are only provided for work purposes; others aimed to protect against future employees perpetrating mischief with county computer systems as Hulten did throughout his county tenure. Among other things, evidence surfaced that he used county computers to build Reardon’s campaign website and Web services to hide damning documents sought under public records requests. He resigned from his county job just ahead of being fired for using county computers to view and store pornography and sexually explicit images of himself and a former girlfriend.

In February, a 3-2 council majority agreed to let Weikel shepherd the tech department for nearly three additional years.

Lovick vetoed the council decision, arguing that it makes sense to return the management the way it was because the emergency circumstances under Reardon no longer exist.

Lovick’s administration plans to look at potential changes after it has control of the department.

“I’m not going to pre-determine anything right now because we haven’t had a chance to look over it with our own eyes,” Deputy County Executive Mark Ericks said. “I’m sure Carolyn has done a good job, but every manager or supervisor has their own style.”

Weikel said she tried to improve communication problems that plagued the tech department’s interactions with other county departments under Reardon. Finding ways to process public records requests more efficiently was another priority, she said.

Weikel had hoped to hire a new director, but that goal went unrealized. Recruiting someone proved tricky, she said, given the department’s imminent change in leadership.

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

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

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.