EVERETT, OCT. 18: Mayor Cassie Franklin shared her budget proposal with the council Wednesday, announcing 55 general fund positions being impacted as well as mandatory furloughs within the Mayors’ executive team.
The mayor said that in addressing the city’s budget deficit long term, staffing reductions were essential. Staffing reductions will significantly impact Police Administration/ Civilian staff, facilities and the library, City spokesperson Simone Tarver wrote in an email.
In her proposed balancing action for 2025, it will reduce the 2026 deficit by $10 million, Traver wrote. With the reductions outlined in the Mayors’ proposal, the 2026 deficit is estimated at $6.8 million.
Legally, the city must pass a balanced budget by the end of the year – “balanced” meaning we have adequate revenues to cover all the expenses we anticipate, Tarver wrote.
“The reductions proposed carefully balance our desire to maintain quality of life and the necessity of preserving our most critical services,” Franklin said.
Franklin said that the city has been dealing with a deficit every year since 2001. 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.
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.
Over 60 cities asked voters for levy lid lifts this August. A majority of voters rejected their lifts.
So far 22 city employees have signed up for the incentive program, Tarver wrote.
Franklin said that she is making sure public safety, quality of life and investing in the future of Everett takes priority.
59% of the city’s income goes towards the Everett Police Department and the Everett Fire Department, but it doesn’t mean the administration is exempt from cuts.
The mayor said that thanks to grants and other non-general fund dollars, the city is able to invest in and expand public safety, citing the Flock Safety system and EMS’s opioid withdrawal medication pilot program.
“For 2025, nearly 75% of the community development team’s work will be delivered using grants or other outside sources,” Franklin said. “This grant-funded investment helps decrease the impact on the rest of our public safety system, lessening the burden on our first responders and saving taxpayer money.”
Like surrounding jurisdictions, the mayor has proposed eliminating the ranger program. Franklin also said her priority is keeping both Everett Public Libraries open, but there will be reductions.
In terms of community events, Franklin said that in her proposed budget there will be some support for community-led and city-hosted events, but the team will pursue outside funding to defer as much costs as possible.
Franklin also emphasized her commitment to keeping the Everett AquaSox in Everett, especially as a way to attract more investments.
“This stadium is exactly the kind of community-oriented investment our city needs – to not only protect this beloved, affordable family fun but also support economic growth for generations to come,” Franklin said.
More in-depth information on the budget will be presented in future city council meetings while the council deliberates over the mayors’ proposal.
The council will vote on the proposal on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Correction: The article previously said that 55 general fund positions would be cut. This is incorrect, 55 general fund positions will be impacted. 31 positions are proposed to be eliminated, and 24 positions being partially reduced.
