EVERETT – The Snohomish County Council had its first taste of the proposed 2006 budget during several hours of hearings Monday.
County department leaders went before the council with a variety of budget requests, including new computers, a number of new employees and portable e-mail devices.
After being engrossed in the county’s comprehensive plan update process, council members are now turning their attention to County Executive Aaron Reardon’s proposed $589.5 million budget for 2006.
“There’s always room for changes,” Councilman John Koster said.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Wynne hopes one of those changes will be to include funding for an additional judge. Wynne urged the council to add a judge before Superior Court ends up like northbound I-5 during rush hour.
He said the addition of a 15th judge is a “growth management issue.” Along with the influx of residents has come increased activity in the county’s law and justice sectors.
There’s now a waiting list to even plead guilty, he said.
“We simply can’t do it at 14” judges, Wynne said. “We’re having trouble now, folks.”
Prosecuting Attorney Janice Ellis made the case for 70 new computers, 29 portable e-mail devices and some new employees.
She and her staff pointed out that in 1999, 43 deputy prosecutors handled 4,700 felony cases. In 2004, 40 deputy prosecutors shouldered 6,700 felony cases.
Though Reardon last week freed up $375,000, enough for five additional deputy prosecutors, Ellis originally asked for 16 new employees.
After listening to the presentations, Councilman Jeff Sax said his initial inclination is that law and justice departments are underfunded in Reardon’s proposed budget.
“We’re going to see some changes,” Sax said.
Council Chairman Gary Nelson said he’s interested in hearing people’s priorities.
“The public is, of course, our watchdog, our stockholders in this whole effort,” Nelson said.
“I suspect the public is going to have something to offer in the way of thoughts as to the budget, and the hearings that begin on Nov. 9 should give them the opportunity to evaluate what they think the priorities should be in county government.”
The council will hear more budget presentations today.
Reporter Jennifer Warnick: 425-339-3429 or jwarnick@heraldnet.com.
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