Snohomish County updates: Meth contamination testing & property tax increases
Thank you for your continued engagement with Project 42 and Future 42 Snohomish County. Please see two important updates below on recent items of significance that we have weighed in on with hundreds of you contacting your elected officials to express your thoughts; your engagement is making a difference:
SNOHOMISH COUNTY COUNCIL ADOPTS ORDINANCE TO TEST FACILITIES FOR METH CONTAMINATION ON A 3-2 VOTE
On Wednesday morning, the Snohomish County Council considered legislation mandating that county-owned supportive housing facilities be regularly tested for the presence of methamphetamine and other harmful substances. This legislation comes after several documented reports of methamphetamine and fentanyl contamination in no-barrier “housing first” facilities throughout Snohomish County. The County Council has been debating this legislation since February and voted Wednesday 3-2 to pass the ordinance, with Councilmembers Nehring, Low, and Mead voting in favor and Councilmembers Dunn and Peterson voting opposed.
F42 Snohomish County sent out this action alert encouraging citizens to support this ordinance.
We were thrilled to see this ordinance pass. If you’re interested in reading some of the local coverage on this vote, you can do so here.
EVERETT CITY COUNCIL SENDS PROPERTY TAX INCREASE PROPOSAL TO THE BALLOT FOR THE AUGUST PRIMARY ELECTION
On Wednesday evening, the Everett City Council considered a proposal which would increase city property taxes on city residents by 44%, costing the average taxpayer approximately $350 more in annual property taxes. The motive behind the proposal to raise taxes is to cover the city’s multimillion dollar budget deficit. No proposed budget cuts were discussed at the meeting. The City Council voted 6-1 with all but Councilmember Tuohy voting “yes” to send the proposal to the ballot for a public vote, as is required by law for property tax increases of this magnitude. Everett voters will have their say on this proposal during the upcoming August primary election.
F42 Snohomish County sent out an action alert encouraging citizens to oppose this massive tax increase proposal. Now that it has been sent to the ballot for a public vote, our next step is to ensure that Everett voters are well-informed on the negative consequences that such a significant tax increase will have.
If you’re interested in reading some of the local coverage on this vote, you can do so here.