Public Hearings

Snohomish County Council Public Hearings Meeting Minutes Stephanie Wright, Council Chair Megan Dunn, Council Vice-Chair Councilmembers: Sam Low, Nate Nehring, Jared Mead Tuesday, November 9, 2021 10:30 AM SPECIAL MEETING Remote Meeting via Zoom PRESENT: Council Chair Wright Council Vice-Chair Dunn Councilmember Low Councilmember Nehring Councilmember Mead Geoffrey Thomas, Chief of Staff Jim Martin, Council Staff Heidi Beazizo, Council Staff Nicole Gorle, Council Staff Ryan Countryman, Council Staff Deb Bell, Council Staff Nathan Kennedy, Finance Director Eric Parks, Deputy Executive Debbie Eco, Clerk of the Council *See names below for people who provided public testimony CALL TO ORDER Chair Wright called the hearing to order at 10:30 a.m. ROLL CALL The clerk called the roll and stated there were five members present. The clerk read the titles of each budget ordinance and motion into the record. Page 1 of 11 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2021 PRESENTATION: Snohomish County's Growth and Revenue Impacts Nathan Kennedy, Finance Director, provided a PowerPoint presentation and explained Snohomish County’s growth and revenue impacts. Councilmember Nehring shared his concern on the proposed property tax increase. He also noted it was great to see the additions to Law and Justice in the proposed budget and he thanked Mr. Kennedy for the informative presentation. PowerPoint Presentation 2021-0973 ACTION ITEMS Chair Wright opened the hearing for public testimony and provided instructions for anyone wishing to testify remotely via Zoom. The following people provided testimony: • Sheriff Fortney, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, spoke in favor of the proposed budget and property tax increase. • Carolyn Weikel, resident of the city of Everett, testified in support of the proposed budget and property tax increase. • Brian Sullivan, Treasurer, testified in support of the proposed budget and property tax increase. • Linda Hjelle, Assessor, testified in support of the proposed budget and property tax increase. • Lisa Lefeber, Port of Everett, testified in support of the proposed budget and property tax increase. • Judge Millie Judge, testified in support of the proposed budget and tax property increase. • Adam Cornell, Snohomish County Prosecutor, testified in support of the proposed budget and property tax increase. • Iratxe Cardwell, Spanish Interpreter, testified in support of the proposed budget and property tax increase. • Garth Fell, Snohomish County Auditor, testified in support of the proposed budget and property tax increase. • Nick Bratton, representing Forterra, testified in support of the County’s Department of Conservation of Natural Resources. Page 2 of 11 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2021 • Ben Young, resident of the city of Everett/District 2, expressed his concerns regarding allocation of funding. • Kristina Jorgenson, resident of the city of Arlington, testified in opposition of the proposed property tax increase. • Carolyn Strong, resident of Snohomish County, testified in opposition of the proposed property tax increase. • Gene Hoffman, resident of Snohomish County, testified in opposition of the proposed property tax increase. • Kathy Fitzpatrick, resident of Snohomish County, testified in opposition of the proposed property tax increase. • Mike Pattison, Master Builders Association, testified in support of the proposed budget and property tax increase. • Anthony Greene, Communities of Color Coalition city of Edmonds, testified in opposition of the proposed budget and property tax increase. • R. Grossinger, unincorporated Snohomish County, testified in opposition of the proposed property tax increase. • Judge Jennifer Rancourt, Cascade District Court, testified in support of the proposed budget and property tax increase. • Debra Papenthien, resident of Snohomish County, testified in opposition of the proposed property tax increase. • Luisana Hernandez, resident of city of Everett and member of Regional Law and Justice Council, testified in opposition of the proposed budget. • Leslie Gregg, resident of Snohomish County, testified in opposition of the proposed budget. • Linda Gray, resident of Maltby, testified in opposition of the proposed budget and property tax increase. • Jeanine Long, resident of the city of Mill Creek, testified in opposition of proposed property tax increase. • Mark Smith, resident of the city of Lynnwood, expressed support for using bank capacity. • Doug Roulston, resident of unincorporated Snohomish County, testified in opposition of the proposed budget and property tax increase. Page 3 of 11 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2021 • Judge Doug Fair, District Court Presiding Judge, testified in support of the proposed budget and property tax increase. • Alex Dahl, resident of unincorporated Snohomish County Monroe area, testified in opposition of the proposed property tax increase. • Deborah Lobe, resident of Snohomish County, testified in opposition of the proposed property tax increase. • Bryan Adams, resident of unincorporated Snohomish County, testified in opposition of the proposed property tax increase, but noted he does support the Sheriff ’s budget. • Carter Burns, resident of Clearview, testified in opposition of the proposed property tax increase. There being no further persons present wishing to testify, Chair Wright closed the testimony portion of the hearing. At 12:30 p.m., Chair Wright recessed Council for five minutes. At 12:35 p.m., Chair Wright called the hearing back to order. Sr. Legislative Analysts Jim Martin, Nicole Gorle, Ryan Countryman, Heidi Beazizo, and Legislative Analyst, Deb Bell, provided staff reports for the items as listed below. Mr. Martin provided a staff report on the main budget ordinance. He shared his screen and provided a high level summary of the budget amendment. 1. Budget Ordinance 21-082, relating to property taxes; fixing the 2021-0754 2022 General Property Tax Levy for Snohomish County and preserving future levy capacity ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-082. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-082 carried unanimously. 2. Budget Ordinance 21-083, authorizing an increase in general tax 2021-0755 revenues for property taxes collected in 2022 ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-083. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. Vice Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 1. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Councilmember Nehring explained why he opposes the property tax and why he will be voting against the ordinance. Page 4 of 11 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2021 Councilmember Mead and Vice-Chair Dunn spoke in support of the budget and the property tax increase. Councilmember Low stated he will be voting no. The question was called for and the clerk called the roll. The motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-083, as amended, carried three to two, with Councilmembers Low and Nehring voting against. 3. Budget Ordinance 21-084, relating to property taxes; fixing the 2021-0756 2022 Road Property Tax Levy for Snohomish County and preserving future levy capacity ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-084. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-084 carried unanimously. 4. Budget Ordinance 21-085, authorizing an increase in Road Tax 2021-0757 revenues for property taxes collected in 2022 ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-085. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-085 carried four to one, with Councilmember Nehring voting against. 5. Budget Ordinance 21-086, relating to property taxes, fixing the 2021-0758 2022 Conservation Futures Property Tax Levy for Snohomish County and Preserving Future Levy Capacity ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-086. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-086 carried unanimously. 6. Budget Ordinance 21-087, authorizing an increase in Conservation 2021-0759 Futures Tax Revenues for property taxes collected in 2022 ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-087. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-087 carried three to two, with Councilmembers Low and Nehring voting against. Page 5 of 11 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2021 7. Budget Ordinance 21-088, relating to use of Real Estate Excise 2021-0723 Taxes; Amending SCC 4.12.015 ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-088. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-088 carried unanimously. 8. Budget Motion 21-357, approving the 2022 Surface Water 2021-0801 Management Annual Construction Program ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-357. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 9. Budget Motion 21-358, approving the 2022-2027 Surface Water 2021-0803 Management Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-358. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 10. Budget Ordinance 21-089, approving the 2022 Annual Construction 2021-0750 Plan for County Transportation Improvements ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-089. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-089 carried unanimously. 11. Budget Motion 21-359, adopting the 2022-2027 Six-Year 2021-0718 Transportation Improvement Program ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-359. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 12. Budget Motion 21-360, approving the 2022 Solid Waste 2021-0751 Management Division Annual Construction Program ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-360. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 13. Budget Motion 21-361, approving the 2022-2027 Solid Waste 2021-0752 Management Division Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-361. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Page 6 of 11 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2021 14. Budget Ordinance 21-090, relating to the Growth Management Act, 2021-0738 adopting the 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Program as part of the Snohomish County Capital Facilities Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-090. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 1. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The question was called for and the clerk called the roll. The motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-090, as amended, carried unanimously. 15. Budget Motion 21-362, approving the 2022 Department of Human 2021-0782 Services Grant Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-362. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 16. Budget Motion 21-363, approving the 2022 Department of 2021-0785 Conservation and Natural Resources Surface Water Management Grant Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-363. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 17. Budget Motion 21-364, approving the 2022 Department of 2021-0789 Conservation and Natural Resources Grant Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-364. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 18. Budget Motion 21-365, approving the 2022 Sheriff’s Office Grant 2021-0787 Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-365. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 19. Budget Motion 21-366, approving the 2022 Prosecuting Attorney’s 2021-0784 Office Grant Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-366. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Page 7 of 11 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2021 20. Budget Motion 21-367, approving the 2022 Superior Court Grant 2021-0786 Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-367. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 21. Budget Motion 21-368, approving the 2022 Department of 2021-0783 Emergency Management Grant Work Plan ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-368. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 22. Budget Motion 21-369, approving the schedule of rental rates to be 2021-0808 charged by Fleet Services Division in 2022 ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-369. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 23. Motion 21-405, establishing reimbursement allocations for Council 2021-0931 Office travel expenses in the 2022 budget pursuant to SCC 3.36.010 ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Motion No. 21-405. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 24. Budget Ordinance 21-091, relating to county budgets and budget 2021-0820 procedures, providing for annual budgets, removing authority to adopt a biennial budget for the period beginning January 1, 2023, and repealing SCC 4.26.017 ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-091. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. Councilmember Nehring noted that he thought a couple of years ago Council had unanimously approved to move to a biennial budget in 2023 and there hasn’t been any public discussion one way or the other. He said it looks like there is a reference to COVID for being the reason behind this ordinance, he asked if the Executive’s staff could elaborate. Eric Parks, Deputy Executive, responded and explained that there is too much uncertainty to commit to a two-year budget. Councilmember Nehring said it makes sense but would have been helpful to have a public discussion. He asked if there is a desire to postpone this until we have recovered and take a look again. Mr. Parks said he would not call it permanent and would eventually like to go to a biennial budget, just not now. He said he would be happy to continue the conversation. Page 8 of 11 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2021 The question was called for and the clerk called the roll. The motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-091 carried three to two, with Councilmembers Low and Nehring voting against. 25. Budget Ordinance 21-092, relating to management and exempt 2021-0822 employees compensation plan; amending chapter 3.69 of the Snohomish County Code ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-092. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-092 carried unanimously. 26. Budget Ordinance 21-093, adopting the 2022 Budget and making 2021-0760 appropriations for the operation of county agencies and departments and capital improvements for the period beginning January 1, 2022, and ending December 31, 2022 ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-093. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 1A. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion. Vice-Chair Dunn spoke in support of Amendment Sheet 1A, 1% of the Arts, Budget Note for Treatment Courts, and progress in backlog in Law & Justice. She inquired about details on the $20,000 funding allocation for the RAP program and what those funds will be used for. Councilmember Nehring responded and said the funds will be used for capital improvements like equipment and he said the District can provide a list. The question was called for and the motion to approve Amendment Sheet 1A carried unanimously. ACTION: Councilmember Low made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 4. Councilmember Nehring seconded the motion. Mr. Martin provided an overview of Amendment Sheet 4. The question was called for and motion to approve Amendment Sheet 4 carried four to one, with Vice-Chair Dunn voting against. Page 9 of 11 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2021 ACTION: Councilmember Nehring made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 3. Councilmember Low seconded the motion. Councilmember Nehring spoke to Amendment Sheet 3 and encouraged Council support. Couniclmember Mead and Vice-Chair Dunn spoke in opposition of Amendment Sheet 3 and in support of an their alternate amendment (Amendment Sheet 5). Councilmember Low explained he will be supporting both amendments today. Chair Wright explained she will be supporting Amendment Sheet 5. Councilmembers Nehring and Mead provided additional comments. The question was called for and the motion to approve Amendment Sheet 3 failed two to three, with Councilmembers Mead, Dunn, and Wright voting against. ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to approve Amendment Sheet 5. Councilmember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Councilmember Mead thanked the analyst team, the Executive team, and the councilmembers. He spoke to the Budget and said he will be voting yes. Councilmember Nehring echoed Councilmember Mead's comments but said he will be respectfully voting no. He thanked the Executive's and Council staff and councilmembers for all the teamwork. Councilmember Low echoed previous comments from Councilmembers Mead and Nehring. He thanked all the Council staff and said they have all been great to work with. He thanked Geoffrey Thomas, Chief of Staff, and Chair Wright. He also thanked the Executive staff and councilmembers. Vice-Chair Dunn also echoed the previous comments and thanked all of the staff. She spoke in support of the Budget and said she will be voting in favor. Chair Wright spoke to the approach to the Budget this year and shared her appreciation for working together with the Executive’s Office, fellow electeds, and councilmembers. She thanked councilmembers individually, Mr. Thomas, and staff. ACTION: The question was called for and the clerk called the roll. The motion to approve Ordinance No. 21-093, as amended, carried four to one, with Councilmember Nehring voting against. Page 10 of 11 Public Hearings Meeting Minutes November 09, 2021 ACTION: Vice-Chair Dunn made a motion to instruct staff to enter all amendments and to produce final documents and tables, adjusting as necessary for nominal changes in amounts due to system calculations. Councimember Mead seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. ADJOURN There being no further business, Chair Wright adjourned the Council for the day at 2:02 p.m. Page 11 of 11