EVERETT, DEC. 9: Last week, the Everett city council voted to approve a $644 million budget for 2025, reducing city services to address the ongoing structural deficit.
The city has been working to find a way to balance a $12.6 million general fund deficit for 2025. Mayor Cassie Franklin proposed her budget in October, with 55 general fund positions impacted whether being cut, reduced hours or furloughs.
“The cuts that we have recommended were necessary to address the city’s longstanding structural deficit which has persisted for over 20 years…” Franklin said during the meeting.
The city has been dealing with a deficit every year since 2001, when an initiative limiting municipalities to an increase of property tax levies by only 1% annually was passed.
The deficit exists in the government’s general fund that supports public services the city provides including police, fire, parks, libraries, courts, emergency management, communications, events, city planning, street maintenance and more.
Last month the Everett Public Library announced a reduction in operation hours, services and programs in response to a 12% budget decrease from 2024.
The Park Rangers program was also eliminated, with workers taking a voluntary incentive package or transferring to other positions within the city.
Many of the services in the general fund were impacted, including street maintenance and the Police Department. The department could see a reduction in 7.5 full-time equivalent staff.
In August, city of Everett voters denied a property tax levy lid lift measure that would have gone towards public safety, park maintenance, libraries and more.
Legally, the city must pass a balanced budget by the end of the year – “balanced” meaning the city has adequate revenues to cover all the expenses we anticipate, city spokesperson Simone Tarver wrote in an email.
Some council members had some concerns over individual cuts in the budget. Councilmember Judy Tuohy said that every year the parks and library get hit the hardest despite community members expressing a need for both. She urged the council and city should better work to listen to the community.
“I hope our community members see that we are trying to address this the best we can, we are trying to be careful, we are proceeding along lines that are established and reliable, but we are not locked to that. If we find better ways to do this, we will take suggestions,” Councilmember Ben Zarlingo said.
The budget will be the main topic of discussion during the council’s annual retreat in January.
Safety around Andy’s Place
During last week’s Health and Human Services Committee, representatives of Compass Health addressed safety measures around its permanent housing facility Andy’s Place.
Compass Health is a non-profit behavioral health provider that operates in Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, and San Juan and Island counties.
Andy’s Place is a permanent supportive housing complex for chronically homeless adults who face significant behavioral health challenges, CEO Tom Sebastian said during the meeting.
Neighbours who live around the housing unit on the block of Lombard Ave have expressed concerns over Compass’ Health’s involvement in public safety and security.
Compass Health addressed concerns, announcing a three-pronged approach for a safer neighborhood including outreach, operational improvements, and partnerships with law enforcement and the community.
“We have totally heard neighbors in terms of disruption in the neighborhood, some of what our neighbors are experiencing, we are experiencing as well. Individuals who should not be on our property…” Sebastian said. “We not only know that we have had an impact in the neighborhood but also know that our residents have been impacted by some of the activities going on in the neighborhood.”
Sebastian said that there are 24/7 security cameras with patrol schedules with additional area coverage from the Everett Police Department. They have also established a neighborhood advisory group to better engage with the neighborhood.
Compass Health plans on reopening its crisis stabilization facility in May 2025, part of its Broadways Campus Redevelopment project. The closest crisis stabilization facility to Everett is in Bellingham, Sebastian said. Compass Health anticipates serving 1,300 clients annually at the new facility located on Broadway Ave.
Other news
Council president Don Schwab addressed negotiations between journalists in the Everett NewsGuild and media owner Carpenter Media Group.
“I want to encourage those two groups to work together, including a fair working wage and incentives that give the reporters the time and effort to do in-depth reporting,” Schwab said.
Council will also discuss the location of the Outdoor Multipurpose Facility that will act as the new home for the Everett Aquasox on Dec. 18
