MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Care how your money’s being spent at the county level but don’t feel comfortable talking about it in front of a large group of people?
If so, you’ll have a chance to discuss options with the new county executive Aaron Reardon at a “Community Conversation on the Snohomish County budget” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 29 at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Avenue W. in Mountlake Terrace.
“I’m looking for some substantive input on the budget,” Reardon said. “I’ve inherited (a budget) that is $16 million in the red and I want it back on track in the black this year.”
If the county did as usual, he added, the numbers would be about the same in debt next year.
The meeting is his third “Community Conversation” since he took on the reigns of the county.
“The meeting’s aim is to give citizens a chance to tell Reardon how they would prioritize county spending,” County officials said. “Under its worst-case budget scenario, the county must close a $16.6 million deficit in 2005.”
What is different about this meeting, however, is that it will include technology where folks can give their input without actually having to speak up.
This won’t be like a town meeting style where people get up and talk, Reardon said.
“At the meeting in Everett it was standing room only, over 200 people. We used electronic polling devices in the audience so we could gauge the level of priorities and issues,” he said. “What we have found is a lot of people who have good ideas don’t want to participate in the town hall style meetings but they will with this style. It’s a vehicle for them to give input without having to speak.”
According to county officials, the group aiding the county executive’s presentation in this fashion is the Snohomish County-based Strategic Listening Institute.
After the meetings, what the citizens want will be unclouded, he said.
“We’ll collate the information and it will clearly identify what the top priorities will be,” Reardon said.
In addition to the April 29 gathering in Mountlake Terrace, Reardon will have three other Community Conversations in Stanwood and at Edmonds Community College. Community Conversations have also taken place in Everett and Lake Stevens.
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