County Government

Snohomish County Conservation Futures Program seeks applicants for advisory board opening

The Snohomish County Conservation Futures Program Advisory Board (CFPAB) has one vacancy and is seeking applicants. The opening is an at-large position and generally represents habitat priorities for consideration during board deliberations. The board makes recommendations to the Snohomish County Council related to distribution of the Conservation Futures Fund, as well as other actions. The…

Officials address community’s public safety questions during Saturday forum

Dozens of concerned residents of Lynnwood and the nearby unincorporated area attended a public safety-oriented discussion Saturday led by law enforcement and State Rep. and Snohomish County Councilmember Strom Peterson.  Lynnwood Police Chief Jim Nelson and Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney spoke about their current and future plans for dealing with crime while Peterson talked…

Snohomish County Solid Waste receives award for battery recycling

Snohomish County Solid Waste has been recognized as a Top 100 Leader in Sustainability for battery recycling during 2022. The county said it diverted more than 32,000 pounds of batteries from area landfills last year. “This award reaffirms public works commitment to the environment and community resiliency,” said Snohomish County Public Works Director Kelly Snyder….

Snohomish County accepting applications for $1.6 million in arts and culture recovery grants

Snohomish County is accepting applications for arts and culture recovery grants. Approximately $1.6 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are available for arts and culture organizations financially impacted by the pandemic. Interested organizations can learn more and apply for the grant here. “A thriving arts and culture sector is important for our…

Snohomish County CASA announces recipient of Champion for Children Award

Renee Robinson, a volunteer in the Snohomish County Office of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, has been chosen to receive the organization’s annual Champion for Children Award. CASA trains and supports volunteers to give a voice to children in the court system.The goal at CASA is to bring hope to children who have been…

Public invited to review 2040 Paine Field Master Plan

Airport planners have completed the final draft of the 2040 Paine Field Airport Master Plan, a vision for the airport’s next two decades. Snohomish County invites the public to visit the online open house from March 3 to April 3 to learn more about the master plan and share comments or questions. The public is also…

Representatives sought for Snohomish County Board of Equalization

The Snohomish County Office of Hearings Administration is seeking applicants for the Board of Equalization, an independent body that hears appeals of property tax determinations made by the assessor. The board consists of five members and two alternates who are appointed by the Snohomish County Council. The ideal candidate is knowledgeable in property values, the…

Snohomish County executive, sheriff sign partnership agreement to deploy social workers

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers and Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney on Tuesday signed a partnership agreement covering the deployment of Snohomish County Human Services social workers as they help address homelessness, behavioral health and public safety concerns with both the Snohomish County Outreach Team (SCOUT) and Office of Neighborhoods (OON) programs. According to a…

Snohomish County has welcomed more than 2,600 Afghan and Ukrainian refugees since 2021

Snohomish County, in partnership with local nonprofits, has provided resettlement services and support to over 2,600 individuals from Afghanistan and Ukraine since October 2021, when the U.S. saw a significant influx of refugees from conflict zones. That’s according to a county news release issued Tuesday. “For decades, Snohomish County has been a welcoming home for…

County’s Department of Emergency Management receives prestigious accreditation

Snohomish County’s Department of Emergency Management is one of roughly 30 county-level agencies across the U.S. to have demonstrated excellence and accountability in emergency management. Following a rigorous peer-reviewed process, the department has received accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP). “We have one of the best emergency management teams in the country, and the EMAP accreditation shows…

Representative sought for Snohomish County Planning Commission

Snohomish County has an opening for its planning commission, a body that advises the county executive, council and county departments regarding growth, development, land use and community planning. According to a county announcement, the ideal candidate has experience in the fields of land use, transportation planning, housing and related work. Interest in comprehensive planning, public…

County Point-in-Time homeless count scheduled for Jan. 24

In collaboration with community and human service providers, the Snohomish County Department of Human Services is conducting the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Homeless Count on Tuesday, Jan. 24. The annual count is an important tool in the community’s efforts to assess the number of homeless individuals and families in Snohomish County, as well as to determine…

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers announces relection campaign 

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers has announced that he will seek reelection in 2023. Somers, a Democrat, has held the position since 2016 and will be term-limited after this third full term in office. “It is an honor to serve as executive of our growing, diverse and dynamic county,” said Somers, who previously served on…

Following restoration work, Meadowdale Beach to reopen to public starting Jan. 7

After completion of significant project milestones in 2022, Meadowdale Beach will once again be accessible to the public on Saturday, Jan. 7. The Meadowdale Beach Park and Estuary Restoration Project was initiated by Snohomish County Parks — al partnership with Snohomish County Surface Water Management (SWM), BNSF Railway, Tulalip Tribes, state and federal agencies, and…

Snohomish County Council selects Mead, Nehring for 2023 leadership

The Snohomish County Council Tuesday morning elected its leadership team for 2023. Councilmember Jared Mead, a Democrat representing District 4 including Mountlake Terrace and Brier, was elected council chair. Mead, a Democrat, served as vice-chair in 2022. Councilmember Nate Nehring, representing District 1, was elected vice-chair. This is the first time since 2020 and the…

Snohomish County awarded state loan to assist with Alderwood Mall Pkwy project

Snohomish County has been awarded a loan from the Washington State Public Works Board for two road projects — one of which is located on Alderwood Mall Parkway from the 16800 block to the SR 525 northbound ramps. The $7 million state loan is aimed at improving connectivity in two rapidly growing urban areas of unincorporated Snohomish…

Snohomish County launches program to promote commercial building sustainability

Snohomish County has introduced a financial tool to help commercial property owners obtain low-cost financing for energy efficiency, natural disaster and resiliency upgrades that carry with the life of the property instead of the property owner. The Snohomish County Department of Conservation & Natural Resources’ Office of Energy and Sustainability launched the Commercial Property Clean Energy…

Funding applications open for Snohomish County community development projects

The Snohomish County Human Services Department invites nonprofit organizations and government agencies to consider applying for funding for public facilities and infrastructure projects that benefit low- and moderate-income persons or neighborhoods in Snohomish County. An estimated $1,061,852 in federal funds is anticipated to be available for the 2023 program year, which begins July 1, 2023. Interested…

Snohomish County Historic Preservation Commission grant program open for applications

The 2023 Snohomish County Historic Preservation Commission Grant Program is now open for applications. The program was started in 2009 with the purpose of funding and promoting historic preservation projects across the county to educate residents on the past. Applications can be submitted for any of four categories: Public Programming Capital Improvements & Equipment Collections Management…

Sheriff’s office begins outfitting deputies with body cameras

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday began implementation of body cameras for all commissioned law enforcement personnel, starting with deputies in the Sheriff’s Office Violent Offender Task Force. Throughout the first quarter of 2023, the sheriff’s office will continue to train and outfit all commissioned staff with the cameras. When arriving on scene at…

County says no sign of drug manufacturing inside former Hwy 99 hotel

The sign is a shock and a warning. It hangs on the fence surrounding what used to be America’s Best Value Inn at 221st and Highway 99. This fall, Snohomish County bought this property and another motel in Everett, to remodel and reopen as bridge housing — a first step to help the chronically homeless. The county…