Proposed budget cuts would hit sheriff’s office hard

EVERETT — Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary on Tuesday said that proposed cuts to his annual budget would eliminate most policing programs except for investigations, 911 response and search &rescue.

The largest proposed reduction would be to the work-release program, which allows people convicted of crimes to serve their jail sentences while also going to their jobs. That option is generally available for nonviolent offenders without prior offenses.

The second largest cut would be to the sheriff’s Office of Neighborhoods, which partners deputies with social workers to reach out to the homeless and those struggling with addiction.

County Executive Dave Somers’ proposed operating budget for 2017 involves about $6 million in cuts, including $2.4 million from the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office in 2016 is budgeted for $102.5 million in general fund expenditures. The sheriff oversees law enforcement as well as the jail.

Trenary on Tuesday was briefing the County Council on how the proposed cuts would affect services. He also asked that any personnel cuts be made through attrition rather than layoffs.

If the budget cuts happen as projected, additional losses would include the Violent Offender Task Force partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service, as well as the sheriff’s office’s practice of offering concealed pistol licenses and fingerprinting at precincts in Sultan, Mill Creek and north Marysville, Trenary said. The sheriff’s office also would provide less assistance to city police departments with major crime and collision investigations, he said, and there would be fewer resources to investigate identity theft and fraud.

“The only way we get to this $2.4 million is to eliminate these programs,” Trenary told the council. “… I’m hoping you understand the magnitude of what we’re facing.”

Trenary was asked about potential revenue growth from jail contracts. The jail can house inmates for other police departments as room allows. The sheriff years earlier cut back on bookings from the jail contracts, saying that overcrowding was contributing to safety problems, especially for inmates with serious medical and mental health concerns. Some of those contracts are up for renegotiation.

Trenary said he doesn’t want the jail to become “the cheapest game in town” to make money.

The county in August had asked voters to approve a 0.2 percent sales tax increase to support public safety. The measure would have raised an estimated $15 million per year for the county and was advertised as a tool to combat heroin addiction and property crime. It failed to win voter support by fewer than 400 votes.

The County Council is likely to pass its own version of the 2017 budget next month. The council will continue to work with department heads to figure out where cuts will happen and how to mitigate those effects, Chairman Terry Ryan told the sheriff.

“It was very sobering to hear some of this,” Ryan said.

Reporter Noah Haglund contributed to this story.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.

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.