Contact:  Kent Patton
                Kent.Patton@snoco.org
                425-388-3883

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers Proposes 2019 Budget

Address focusses on partnerships and public service

EVERETT, Snohomish County, September 25, 2018 – Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers today unveiled his proposed budget for 2019, focusing on partnerships and public service. The General Fund budget submitted by the Executive includes $262,896,992 in spending. This budget covers public safety and general government costs. If you include all funds—including general, roads, the airport and parks, to name a few—the total proposed Snohomish County budget is $983,128,172.

“In 2019, we are focusing on building stronger partnerships across the region to tackle the issues that matter most to our residents: public safety, transportation, housing, population growth, and sustainability,” said Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive. “I am proposing a fiscally responsible, balanced budget that addresses our most pressing issues and continues our efforts to improve customer service.”

In the 2019 budget, Executive Somers also is launching his STEP Initiative 2.0. The Service Technology and Excellence Program (STEP) Initiative was established in 2016 to implement continuous improvement efforts across the county.

“Today, I am launching STEP 2.0 to bring a new burst of energy to our effort. In STEP 1.0, we announced the initiative, established our continuous improvement office to lead our efforts, and started down the path of organizational transformation. These were great first steps and started the process of culture change and improved service. With STEP 2.0, we will be expanding our efforts by adding to our leadership development program. We will work on multiple fronts, with diverse tools, and bring greater efficiency and effectiveness to everything we do,” said Executive Somers.

Other areas of focus for 2019 include: the start of commercial service at Paine Field; the renovation of the county courthouse, saving up to $86 million; a continuation of the innovative Multi-Agency Coordination Group to address the opioid epidemic; a focused effort to create a new trade school to establish better pathways from high school into the trades; and an investment in efforts to recruit Boeing’s New Midmarket Airplane (NMA) to Snohomish County.

“We took a new approach this year with the council, and we appreciate the constructive and bipartisan budget discussions. Council members were invited into the budget making process early and often, and I thank each of them for their participation and engagement throughout. We shared with them insights about our decision-making. We wanted to open and extend ourselves to ensure there would be no surprises and to ensure that we could put forward a balanced budget that reflects the values of our community,” said Executive Somers.

“Change is here, and we are ready for it. With our partnerships and a dedication to service, we will be able to create the future we choose for Snohomish County,” said Executive Somers.