Parks, planning win out in county budget

By WARREN CORNWALL

Herald Writer

Parks and planning got multimillion-dollar boosts, but a proposal to more than double a utility fee was roundly rejected in the 2001 budget approved by the Snohomish County Council Tuesday.

In a 4-1 vote split down party lines, the council endorsed a $581.6 million budget for the coming year, an overall drop in spending of nearly 5 percent compared with the 2000 budget.

Council Chairwoman Barbara Cothern said the budget, though tight, marked a new effort to deal with the fast-paced growth in much of the county.

She highlighted a plan to borrow $17.4 million to buy park land and speed planning to manage the county’s watersheds.

"Both parks and planning are critical investments for today and for the future," Cothern said. "We need to invest up front."

Gary Nelson, the council’s sole Republican, cast the lone vote against the plan. He warned that the council was embarking on vague new entitlement programs without enough details to ensure the money was well spent.

He directed his comments to the $5 million parks spending, and an additional $2 million carried over from 2000 and earmarked for neighborhood improvement projects.

"Let’s face the fact it is in fact an entitlement," he said.

The $17.4 million in loans are supposed to be paid off with a combination of $500,000 in higher-than-expected tax revenues and $1.1 million per year in taxes paid when real estate is sold.

Council members overcame differences long enough to reject an increase in the annual fee paid by landowners to a county utility that manages surface water such as streams and water runoff.

The unanimous vote on that budget section was a defeat for County Executive Bob Drewel, who had sought an increase from $31.77 to $65, with another $15 increase in 2002 for people living near cities.

Council members said little at the time of the vote. But several had earlier questioned how the additional money would be spent. In public comments Monday, a number of prominent environmentalists warned that the county would be wasting money if it increased the fee without toughening development standards.

Drewel said his office would seek to work with the council to answer their concerns. But he noted the water management agency still faces growing demands to protect water and salmon in the county.

"We’ll continue to work with them," he said of the council. "We heard the public testimony."

All sides, however, warned that the county was going to face tough financial times in the future in the wake of voter-approved tax limits.

The recently approved Initiative 722 caps overall increases in property tax revenues at 2 percent per year. That forced the county to lower planned increases for road construction and a fund to protect open space from 6 percent to 2 percent.

The road fund would get $1.4 million less in property taxes than expected in 2001, according to county council staff. That impact could grow to a total of $65 million over the next six years, according to the county’s finance department. That includes federal and state road money lost because it requires matching funds from the county.

"I am not unaware of the message that the voters sent as far as 722," Drewel said. "I am not convinced they understand the relationship with how the county raises money for transportation projects."

Councilman Dave Somers said county officials need to communicate better with citizens to help them understand what their tax dollars buy and what may be lost with tax cuts.

"There’s a real disconnect between the public and county government and other levels of government," he said. "We have a lot of work to do to reconnect with the citizens."

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.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

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.

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.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

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.