Reardon seeks budget direction

Let’s talk money.

That’s the message from Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, who will host a series of "community conversations" over the next several weeks to talk about budget priorities.

"I want to hear directly from the citizens what their priorities are, what they think county government does well and what we could do better," Reardon said.

The county faces difficult times ahead financially.

With expenses outpacing tax revenue, the county faces a budget gap that could be as much as $16.6 million in 2005. Another river of red ink could follow in 2006, as much as $15.9 million.

Reardon wants to build next year’s spending plan from the bottom up and says the county should fund its biggest priorities first.

That’s where the upcoming meetings come in. What residents say about the county’s spending priorities will help the county executive write next year’s budget.

"It will directly tie into the decisions I make around budget time," he said.

Reardon is expected to present the 2005 budget to the County Council — which is charged with reviewing, amending and approving the plan — in late September.

People who attend the meetings will quickly find out how popular their ideas are, because instant-polling technology will be used to tally opinions on county spending. Those who come to the meetings will be asked to highlight their core budget priorities, and the Everett-based Strategic Listening Institute will tabulate and display the results at each meeting.

Three meetings have been scheduled, the first Thursday in Everett. Two additional meetings in Stanwood and Lynnwood also are planned, but dates for those meetings have not been announced.

Reporter Brian Kelly: 425-339-3422 or kelly@heraldnet.com.