Stilly flood buyout advances

The Snohomish County Council may make a temporary loan to start the buyout of flood-threatened homes in Chatham Acres on the north fork of the Stillaguamish River.

Next week, the council will consider shifting $1 million in county funds to cover expenses until the county receives a $1.6 million grant from the state Department of Emergency Management to help pay for the buyout.

In all, the buyout of the 28-acre Chatham Acres properties, 10 single-family homes, a bridge and other structures will cost $1.8 million, with property owners in the area contributing about $230,000 to the effort.

The buyout stems from a flood in December 1999 that changed the river’s path. The homes will be demolished or moved, and the county plans to use the property for recreation uses.

The County Council will vote on the $1 million funding transfer on Wednesday.

  • ?
  • ?
  • Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon is looking for volunteers to serve on his Community Council, which was formed after the March 24 cross burning in Arlington to discuss race relations, violence and domestic abuse, unemployment, discrimination and housing issues.

    Those interested in serving on the council should submit a resume and a cover letter outlining what role the council should play.

    The deadline for applications is Friday, April 30.

    Applications may be delivered to the Snohomish County executive’s office on the third floor of the County Administration Building, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett. Applications also may be mailed to Martha Robins, Snohomish County Executive’s Office, Mail Stop 407, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett WA 98201-4046.

    No parking: The county’s new underground parking garage will be closed Saturday so a Snohomish PUD crew can install a new electrical vault for the county campus redevelopment project. The garage, which opened in February, was the first of three major projects to be finished in the $170 million campus renewal. The jail expansion and new administration building will be finished by spring 2005.

    Penny-wise: In his "price of county government" speech Wednesday, Reardon said the county has figured out how much taxpayers are paying for county government. For every dollar residents earn, about 1.5 cents goes to county government. That’s roughly $600 in county taxes, charges and fees for someone who makes $40,000 a year.

    Surplus sale: The sheriff’s office is planning to sell four 2 1/2-ton military tanker trucks used by its search-and-rescue crews, a flatbed truck and a step van used by the dive team.

    Claim of the week: A Bothell man wants $120 from the county. He said his clothes — a $40 pair of gray sweats, a red shirt worth $10 and a pair of $70 shoes — weren’t returned when he got out of jail.

    Next week: The County Council planning committee will talk about changing the way the county collects impact fees for parks. Impact fees from new developments pay for the purchase of park properties and related improvements, and one of the proposed changes would give developers an early payment option.

    How you can get involved: No public testimony will be taken at the committee meeting, but the public is invited to hear the council talk about the issue. The committee meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Jackson Hearing Room on the sixth floor of the County Administration Building.

    Reporter Brian Kelly covers county government for the Herald. Call 425-339-3422 or e-mail kelly@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.

    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.

    Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
    Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

    The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

    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.

    A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

    Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

    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.

    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.