County Council’s cost cutting efforts resisted by some

Seven department heads have expressed concerns about strategies intended to keep spending in check.

EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council has been taking steps to rein in costs across county government, after passing a yearly budget that mostly held the line against new property taxes.

Other elected officials have called their approach ineffective. They contend that moves such as restricting hiring for open management jobs, or doing away with some managers’ merit-based pay increases, will hinder their ability to run the government — without saving any money.

“If you felt there was a financial crisis or a financial issue, that was your opportunity and your role in the budget process to make changes,” county Auditor Carolyn Weikel said. “And you chose not to.”

Weikel made the comments during a council hearing earlier this month. She was among seven department leaders who signed a letter expressing concerns. The others were Executive Dave Somers, Sheriff Ty Trenary, Assessor Linda Hjelle, Clerk Sonya Kraski, Prosecutor Mark Roe and a deputy for Treasurer Kirke Sievers.

“Simply put, the proposed ordinance will not provide realistic or significant general fund savings,” the letter states. It urged the council not to pass an ordinance requiring council approval to fill certain non-union positions known as “management exempt.” Normally, those decisions are handled within departments.

The letter also questions whether the council may have violated the separation of powers among different branches of government, as outlined in the county charter.

The council did pass the hiring restriction, unanimously. They did so after exempting judges’ law clerks and deputy directors in independent county departments. In all, it affects about 88 management positions out of the approximately 1,500 total jobs supported by the operating budget. There was no estimate for how much money the restriction would save.

Salaries and benefits account for more than 70 percent of spending in the county’s general fund.

The County Council in November unanimously passed a new budget without increasing the county’s general property-tax levy. They did raise the roads levy for unincorporated areas by the standard 1 percent allowed by law.

New construction and tax money have grown over the past year, but not enough to make up for the rising cost of salaries, benefits and other expenses.

The $249 million plan was about $3.6 million lower than what Somers recommended earlier in the fall. The council avoided layoffs. At the same time, they added positions, including at least five new sheriff’s deputies and an extra code-enforcement officer. To make up the difference, they dipped into some one-time revenues, and said more budget actions would follow in 2018.

Councilman Brian Sullivan, who led the budget process last fall, said the small-scale moves are meant to avoid more disruptive measures, such as layoffs.

“I don’t want to put people on the street,” Sullivan said. “Why use a sledgehammer when we have a Wiffle ball bat?”

Sullivan said he’s been hearing from analysts about the likelihood of a recession next year.

“When that recession hits, we’ll be ready,” he said.

Councilman Terry Ryan added, “We’re just trying to get in front of this.”

Weikel wasn’t the only elected official who spoke against the restricted hiring ordinance earlier this month. Kraski, the county clerk, thanked the council for exempting some positions from the freeze. But she also said she believed they were using too broad a brush.

“I am concerned why we are so quickly after the budget now coming back to address a hiring freeze on some key positions,” she said. “I know that the ordinance is likely directed at maybe some specific departments.”

She asked the council to take up any specific issues with the departments in question.

The belt-tightening may have caused some internal disagreements, but it could also keep county officials out of another fray. Snohomish County homeowners are bracing for property-tax bills that are set to rise by 16 percent, on average, compared to 2017. Increases of more than 20 percent are due to hit property owners in the cities of Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Brier. The change is being driven by a new state education levy, as well as local factors. This year’s increase comes on top of Sound Transit 3, a voter-approved ballot measure that pushed up taxes in Everett and southwest Snohomish County, starting last year, to pay for regional transit expansion.

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

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

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.