Everett council OKs budget cuts

EVERETT — The Everett City Council voted 5-2 Wednesday to support Mayor Ray Stephanson’s $3.5 million in budget cuts.

The mayor didn’t need council approval for the 24 employee layoffs and cuts in parks, library and other services, but he sought it anyway, "in the spirit of cooperation and being together on this important matter."

The budget debate was at times heated, both from the council dais and the podium, where 16 people spoke their minds on the cuts.

Several speakers and council members argued that the mayor was wrong to cut jobs and programs while the city carries a $24 million surplus. But Councilwoman Brenda Stonecipher argued that sharply increasing health care costs and reduced revenue because of property-tax cuts instituted by Initiative 747 have permanently changed the city’s budget picture.

"If your income goes down permanently, you can’t continue to spend the way you’ve been spending," she said.

Stonecipher, City Council President Arlan Hatloe and council members Doug Campbell, Marian Krell and Bob Overstreet voted for the cuts to the 2004 budget.

Councilmen Ron Gipson and Mark Olson voted against them. Both are thinking of running against Stephanson in next year’s mayoral election.

Hatloe, Campbell, Krell and Overstreet voted only four months ago to approve the full budget, which at the time included the $3.5 million in spending that was cut Wednesday. Stonecipher was elected in November and did not take office until January.

That prompted Gipson to ask his colleagues: "What has changed since 2003, when we set these levels? … What did we do wrong last year? We didn’t do anything wrong. As budget chairman, no one came before me and said the sky was falling."

Krell said that when she voted for the budget in December she didn’t realize how "woefully underfunded" the funds for construction projects were. "That is what we need the surplus funds for," she said.

Stonecipher agreed. Many projects have been on hold, she said, including development of a park in Silver Lake and paths and other public-access improvements along Everett’s waterfront.

Olson tried to amend the budget to restore $170,000 in park maintenance spending. Parks are among the "crown jewels" of Everett, and residents expect well-maintained parks, he said. But only Gipson supported the move.

"This is the mayor’s budget," Hatloe said. "If we start changing some numbers here, we’d start doing his job."

Gipson pointed out that many of the cuts target parks and libraries, which residents — especially those with lower incomes — rely on for free or low-cost services.

"These cuts are hitting people who are socially and economically challenged," he said. "That’s not right."

Stephanson said he tried to mitigate the effect of some of the cuts. Parks arts classes that were cut are being taken on by the Arts Council of Snohomish County. And the mayor was scheduled to meet Wednesday night with parents of children on the Everett Parks Sharks swim team, which was eliminated in the budget cuts. The YMCA of Snohomish County is considering whether to host the swim team.

But reference librarian Cameron Johnson, in urging the council to reject the mayor’s budget cuts, accused Stephanson of insensitivity.

"Today the council has an opportunity to ask itself, ‘Are you going to be for a slash-and-burn private-sector mentality?’" he said.

Resident Gary Meisner said the cuts are fiscally responsible and "modest compared with the size of the budget." With the $3.5 million in cuts, the city’s general government budget will be $92.6 million.

"It’s not the mission of municipal government to guarantee employment to anyone," he said.

Gary Doughty, who retired as a city planner on Jan. 31, suggested to the council and mayor that they consider offering employees early retirement incentives, including paying for a portion of after-retirement health costs, to avoid further layoffs.

Stephanson said early retirement incentives are one of several approaches he is looking at to balance the 2005 budget.

Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.

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.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

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.