County job flap heats up again

Still stinging over the recent controversy about a highly paid temporary employee, Snohomish County Council members are leery of putting money in next year’s budget for an economic development coordinator.

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon’s 2005 budget includes money to create an “economic development team,” a group of employees in the planning department who would work to bring more jobs to the county and keep the employers that are already here.

But council members, who are expected to approve the budget next week, have criticized the proposal. Council members say they don’t want to set aside money for an economic development coordinator job that is so vaguely defined.

Overshadowing it is the flap over the county’s current economic development coordinator, James Lee.

Lee is a temporary employee who is being paid an annual salary rate of $75,500. He got his job after a recommendation from Reardon, and was hired in March without going through a competitive selection process. His hiring has also raised eyebrows because Lee and his sister, Eun Lee, worked on Reardon’s 2003 campaign. And their mother, Young Ja Lee, donated more than $16,000 to get Reardon elected.

Lee’s job, and the question of whether it should be funded in next year’s budget, was a front-and-center issue earlier this month. It came back full force this week.

“Personally, I think the economic development position in this county has been a political tool for too long,” Councilman Jeff Sax said.

“I think the executive has made a bit of a mockery … of this position,” he added.

Other council members also said they don’t want to put money in the budget for the job unless county staffers produce a plan and a job description for the position.

Council members also want a more complete explanation of what’s already been accomplished with the existing temporary position, as well as an update on the work done by the Snohomish County Economic Development Council, a group that’s partially funded by the county.

Lee was hired as a temporary employee but is now considered a “project employee.” He’s been conducting research on economic development issues such as the NASCAR racetrack proposal and agriculture assistance in the county’s Office of Housing and Community Development.

Craig Ladiser, director of the planning department, said he is working on a plan showing how the position could benefit the county.

Ladiser said there’s the choice of hiring a high-paid manager to oversee economic activities in the department, a “heavy hitter” who could hit the ground running on bringing new businesses to the county. The other choice is hiring someone for a lesser salary but with decreased expectations of what that person could accomplish.

Ladiser said he hoped to give the council a report today that includes not only a basic job description but also an explanation of how the economic development coordinator’s work would fit within the planning department.

“They deserve to have it,” he said.

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.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

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.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

A trash hauler from Republic Services. (Provided photo)
Growing Teamsters strike disrupts garbage pickup in Snohomish County

Republic Services said a temporary work stoppage is causing some customers in the county to experience “temporary service delays.”

Lily Lamoureux stacks Weebly Funko toys in preparation for Funko Friday at Funko Field in Everett on July 12, 2019.  Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett-based Funko ousts its CEO after 14 months

The company, known for its toy figures based on pop culture, named Michael Lunsford as its interim CEO.

‘Courageous’ teen dives into Silver Lake to rescue 11-year-old

Gauge Bryant, 13, brought the child to the surface. The 11-year-old is in stable but critical condition, authorities said.

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.