Snohomish meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Council approves Speed Week resolution, advances contracts; dock project vote set for Aug. 12

The Snohomish County Council unanimously approved a resolution recognizing Speed Week and advanced several contract and budget items to consent agendas during its Aug. 11 administrative session. The council also is set to vote on a $897,344.52 dock project and other contracts at its Aug. 12 general session.

Administrative session

The council voted 5-0 to approve Resolution 26-038, recognizing Aug. 9-15, 2026, as "Speed Week" in the county. It also assigned 15 motions and ordinances to committees for review, moved Motion 26-287 and six other items to the Aug. 12 General Legislative Session, and moved three ordinances to the Aug. 19 session for public hearing scheduling.

Committee actions

Two council committees met Aug. 11 and advanced items to consent agendas for future votes.

The Finance, Budget and Administration Committee moved five motions to consent agendas: Motion 26-288 (QuestPro staffing amendment) and Motion 26-294 (Rise Up Academy award) to Aug. 19; Motion 26-300 (Master's Touch printing amendment) to Aug. 12; and Motions 26-295 (Columbia Policy Advisors lobbyist agreement) and 26-299 (Dziedzic Public Affairs behavioral health services agreement) to Aug. 19.

The Health and Community Services Committee moved Motion 26-284 (budget transfer in Fund 125) and Motion 26-290 (WA Cares Fund Implementation Agreement) to the Aug. 19 consent agenda. No votes were taken on these items; they were only advanced for consideration.

Upcoming votes

The Aug. 12 General Legislative Session agenda includes a bid award to Diverse Earthworks, Inc. for the Flowing Lake Dock & Waterfront Access project at $897,344.52 plus sales tax, a Cloudflare Enterprise license to CDW Government LLC (estimated $99,475 over five years), an OpenText widgets license to RavenBlack Technical Services (estimated $125,000 over five years), and a Granicus, LLC contract (estimated $100,000 plus sales tax over five years). The council also will consider appointments to the Tourism Promotion Area Advisory Board and Airport Commission.

Also on Aug. 12, the council will hold public hearings on four items: a supplemental appropriation for the Office of Public Defense (Ordinance 26-033), amendments to the Transportation Benefit District (Ordinance 26-009), a sales tax for transportation improvements (Ordinance 26-031), and an additional one-tenth of one percent sales tax for criminal justice (Ordinance 26-030), with three proposed amendments.

Coming up

• **Aug. 18, Public Infrastructure and Conservation Committee** – Will consider five action items, including an interlocal agreement amendment with Bothell on solid waste, two construction change orders, an HR recruitment agreement amendment, and a professional services amendment. All are proposed to move to the Aug. 26 General Legislative Session.
• **Aug. 18, Administrative Session** – Will assign ordinances on animal control, growth management, and comprehensive plan amendments, plus a bid award for Quest Active Roles software to Tommy-TQL (estimated $350,000 over five years).
• **Aug. 19, General Legislative Session** – Will vote on a resolution supporting Jail Voting Day, a budget transfer in the Health Department Fund, a QuestPro staffing amendment, the WA Cares Fund Implementation Agreement, and the Quest software bid award.
• **Aug. 19, Public Hearings** – Will take testimony on six ordinances, including a data center moratorium (already adopted June 24, 2026), changes to layoff and recall rules, a franchise for SQF, LLC, and a commute trip reduction plan.

Snohomish County Council weighed trail contract, sales tax proposal in July 21-22 sessions

Snohomish County Council members were scheduled to act on a $713,475.16 contract for Whitehorse Trail improvements and consider a new 0.1% sales tax for criminal justice funding during back-to-back sessions July 21-22. Minutes from all four meetings have not yet been published, so final outcomes are not confirmed.

Whitehorse Trail contract and budget transfers

The Administrative Session on July 21 included Motion 26-289, covering administrative matters that encompass a $713,475.16 purchasing award to Earthworks Solutions, LLC for Whitehorse Trail improvements. The agenda also listed Motion 26-284, a 2026 budget transfer between programs in Fund 125 Health Department Fund; Motion 26-287, a budget transfer in Grant Fund 130 from the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts; Motion 26-279, a contract with Mulligan Law to provide indigent services from July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028; and Motion 26-283, authorizing a grant application and agreement to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office for Fairfield Park Irrigation Phase 2. Several motions were set to be reassigned to the July 22 General Legislative Session for public hearing or further action.

Sales tax proposal for criminal justice

The July 22 General Legislative Session agenda included Ordinance 26-030, which would impose an additional 0.1% sales and use tax for criminal justice purposes. The same session was scheduled to include the Whitehorse Trail purchasing award to Earthworks Solutions, LLC for $713,475.16; Motion 26-268, reallocating Affordable Housing Behavioral Health-Capital Funding for two affordable housing projects; Motion 26-259, authorizing the Executive to sign the Snohomish County Tourism Promotion Area Agreement with Courtyard Media Foundation for Geekfest Expo 2026; and Motion 26-242, approving Public Assistance Grant Agreement #D26-141 with the Washington State Military Department. The council was also set to adopt resolutions recognizing National Farmers Market Week and UTSAV Mela Day.

Fair ticketing and restoration projects

The Planning and Community Development Committee on July 21 was set to forward four motions to the General Legislative Session. Motion 26-265 would authorize the County Executive to sign USACE Non-Federal Sponsor financial capability forms for the Spencer Island Ecosystem Restoration Project (grant 2026-1666). Motion 26-267 would approve a Fair Services Agreement for electronic ticketing and gate access at the 2026-2030 Snohomish County Evergreen State Fair (grant 2026-1158). Motion 26-285 would approve a Professional Services Agreement with Natural Systems Design, Inc. for the Chinook Marsh Restoration Project (grant 2026-1174). Motion 26-286 would approve an amendment to the Cross Valley Water District 2022 Water System Plan – 2025 Wellhead Protection Plan (grant 2026-11753). Discussion items included the Snohomish County Tomorrow 2025 Growth Monitoring Report and a data center proposal.

Growth management public hearing

The council was scheduled to hold a public hearing on Ordinance 26-020, which amends Growth Management code chapters 30.23 and 30.42b regarding setbacks. The hearing was set for the Jackson Board Room, 8th Floor, Robert J. Drewel Building, with remote participation via Zoom.

Coming up

No county meetings are listed on the calendar for the next two weeks. Residents should check the Snohomish County Council website for any special sessions or committee meetings added after publication.

Snohomish County Council approves Stanwood flood-risk agreement; sales tax hearing set for August

The Snohomish County Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Stanwood for flood-risk mitigation during its July 15 public hearing, while also scheduling a public hearing for a proposed 0.1% criminal justice sales tax increase on August 12.

Flood-risk agreement with Stanwood approved

The council approved Ordinance 26-028, creating an interlocal agreement between Snohomish County and the City of Stanwood for flood-risk mitigation. No public testimony was offered. The vote was 5-0.

Criminal justice sales tax hearing scheduled

On July 8, the council scheduled a public hearing for August 12, 2026, on Ordinance 26-030, which would impose an additional 0.1% sales and use tax for criminal justice purposes. The vote to schedule the hearing was 5-0.

The same July 8 General Legislative Session included several other 5-0 votes: approval of Resolution 26-035 recognizing the Civic Assembly on Artificial Intelligence; a $55,000 bid award to Vesta Digital Intelligence, LLC for work management platform licenses; Motion 26-263 to increase authorized employees in Grant Fund 130 for the District Court; and receipt of notices of adoption for the 2026 Snohomish County Drainage Manual and Engineering Design and Development Standards amendments.

Comprehensive plan amendments referred

A July 8 public hearing resulted in Motion 26-155, approving final amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and GMA Development Regulations, being referred to the Planning and Community Development Committee. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nehring and carried 5-0.

Committee actions move items toward final votes

Several committees met July 7 and July 14 to advance items to upcoming General Legislative Sessions:

• The Public Infrastructure and Conservation Committee moved nine items to the July 15 session, including Ordinance 26-029 (Commute Trip Reduction) and Ordinance 26-025 (SQF, LLC D/B/A Verta road rights-of-way) to Administrative Matters, plus seven motions to the Consent Agenda.
• The Planning and Community Development Committee moved Motion 26-248 (terminating a fire protection agreement with the City of Snohomish and executing a new one with Snohomish County Fire Protection District No. 4) and Motion 26-261 (a contract with the City of Mukilteo for mechanical services not to exceed $400,000) to the July 15 consent agenda.
• The Finance, Budget and Administration Committee moved Motion 26-259 (Geekfest Expo 2026 tourism promotion agreement) to the July 22 consent agenda and received a presentation on the Public Facility District Annual Report for 2025.
• The Health and Community Services Committee moved six motions to the July 22 consent agenda, covering grant agreements, data sharing agreements, and an affordable housing behavioral health capital funding reallocation.

Administrative sessions assign legislation

The July 7 and July 14 Administrative Sessions assigned numerous ordinances and motions to committees. Notable assignments included Ordinance 26-032 (Search and Rescue Helicopter Fund) to Community Safety and Justice, Motion 26-261 (Mukilteo fire vehicle services, max $400,000) to Planning and Community Development, and Ordinance 26-031 (Transportation Benefit District sales tax) to the Committee of the Whole. No final votes were recorded in either administrative session.

Coming up

• **July 21 — Planning and Community Development Committee:** Will consider motions on the Spencer Island Ecosystem Restoration Project, electronic ticketing for the 2026–2030 Evergreen State Fair, the Chinook Marsh Restoration Project, and a Cross Valley Water District wellhead protection plan amendment. Discussion items include the Snohomish County Tomorrow 2025 Growth Monitoring Report and a data center proposal.
• **July 21 — Administrative Session:** Will consider a $713,475.16 contract to Earthworks Solutions, LLC for Whitehorse Trail improvements, budget transfers, an indigent services contract with Mullison Law, and a Fairfield Park Irrigation Phase 2 grant application.
• **July 22 — General Legislative Session:** Will vote on the Whitehorse Trail purchasing award, Ordinance 26-030 (0.1% criminal justice sales tax), affordable housing funding reallocation, and the Geekfest Expo 2026 tourism agreement.
• **July 22 — Public Hearings:** Will hold a hearing on Ordinance 26-020, amending county code chapters 30.23 and 30.42b regarding setbacks. Meeting in the Jackson Board Room, 8th Floor, Robert J. Drewel Building, or via Zoom.

Snohomish County Council schedules August hearing on criminal justice sales tax; adopts hazard mitigation plan

The Snohomish County Council set a public hearing for August 12, 2026, on a proposed 0.1% sales and use tax for criminal justice purposes, moving the measure one step closer to a resident vote. The decision came during a busy two-week stretch in which the council also adopted the 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan, approved an FAA grant for airport runway rehabilitation, and routed dozens of motions and ordinances through committee review.

Criminal justice sales tax advances

Ordinance 26-030, which would impose a 0.1% sales and use tax for criminal justice purposes, was continued from the July 1 legislative session to July 8, where the council voted 5-0 to schedule a public hearing for August 12, 2026. The tax proposal, if adopted, would affect what residents pay at the register countywide.

Hazard mitigation and disaster preparedness

On July 1, the council unanimously approved the 2025 Snohomish County Hazard Mitigation Plan (Motion 26-230) on a 5-0 vote. The plan guides county efforts to reduce risks from natural disasters. The same session saw a 5-0 vote approving a resolution celebrating America 250 and a 5-0 vote accepting an FAA grant for airport runway rehabilitation.

Purchasing and administrative actions

The July 8 legislative session included several spending decisions. The council approved a $55,000 bid award to Vesta Digital Intelligence, LLC for work management platform licenses (5-0) and approved Motion 26-263 to increase authorized employees in Grant Fund 130 for the District Court (5-0). The council also approved Resolution 26-035 recognizing the Civic Assembly on Artificial Intelligence (5-0) and received notice of adoption for the 2026 Snohomish County Drainage Manual and amendments to Engineering Design and Development Standards, both on 5-0 votes.

Committee assignments and routing

Between June 30 and July 7, the council used administrative sessions to assign legislation to standing committees. Notable assignments include Ordinance 26-032 (Search and Rescue Helicopter Fund) to Community Safety and Justice, Motion 26-261 (Mukilteo fire vehicle services, max $400,000) to Planning and Community Development, and Ordinance 26-031 (Transportation Benefit District sales tax) to the Committee of the Whole for the July 15 session.

The Public Infrastructure and Conservation Committee moved nine items to the July 15 General Legislative Session, including Ordinance 26-029 (Commute Trip Reduction) to Administrative Matters and Motion 26-234 (real property donation from John Heldridge and Margaret Davidson) to the Consent Agenda.

The Planning and Community Development Committee moved two interlocal agreements to the July 15 consent agenda: one authorizing the County Executive to terminate a fire protection district contract with the City of Snohomish and execute a new one with Snohomish County Fire Protection District No. 4, and another authorizing a contract with the City of Mukilteo for mechanical services not to exceed $400,000.

Comprehensive plan amendments referred

During a July 8 public hearing, the council referred Motion 26-155 — final amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and GMA Development Regulations — to the Planning and Community Development Committee on a 5-0 vote. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nehring.

Coming up

• **July 14 — Finance, Budget and Administration Committee:** Reviews a tourism promotion agreement with Courtyard Media Foundation for Geekfest Expo 2026 and the 2025 Public Facility District Annual Report.
• **July 14 — Health and Community Services Committee:** Considers six motions, including a Public Assistance Grant Agreement with the Washington State Military Department and an information-sharing agreement with the state Department of Health for immunization data.
• **July 14 — Administrative Session:** Introduces contracts for indigent services, an ordinance on charges for copying public records, and a motion for an electronic ticketing system at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds.
• **July 15 — Public Hearings:** Vote scheduled on Ordinance 26-028, an interlocal agreement with the City of Stanwood for flood risk mitigation.
• **July 15 — General Legislative Session:** Council considers fire protection and technology services interlocal agreements, the North High Rock Road Slide Repair Project right-of-way plan, and a $400,000 mechanical services agreement with the City of Mukilteo.

Snohomish County Council imposes emergency moratorium on new data centers; adopts hazard mitigation plan

The Snohomish County Council unanimously approved an emergency ordinance placing a moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas, effective immediately. The 5-0 vote on June 24 was the most consequential land-use decision in a busy two-week stretch that also saw adoption of the county's 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan and a failed charter amendment on candidate disclosure.

Data center moratorium and consent agenda

On June 24, the council voted 5-0 to approve the emergency moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas. The same session saw unanimous approval of a consent agenda covering fair contracts, a LiDAR agreement, and a Tulalip waterline. The council also scheduled a public hearing on a Growth Management setback ordinance for July 22 (5-0), approved a performance audit notice to proceed as amended (5-0), and scheduled a public hearing on a Stanwood flood risk mitigation agreement for July 15 (5-0). Layla Bush and Karl Niemela were both reappointed to the Planning Commission, each by 5-0 votes.

Public hearings: Prosecuting Attorney funding approved, charter amendment fails

Also on June 24, the council held two public hearings. An emergency appropriation for the Prosecuting Attorney's office was approved 5-0. A proposed charter amendment that would have required mandatory political history disclosure for County Executive and Council candidates failed 3-2, falling short of the four votes needed to pass.

Hazard Mitigation Plan adopted

On July 1, the council unanimously approved the 2025 Snohomish County Hazard Mitigation Plan (Motion 26-230). The plan is intended to guide disaster preparedness across the county. The council also approved a resolution celebrating America 250 (5-0), approved administrative matters including a hearing date and purchasing awards (5-0), and approved an FAA grant for airport runway rehabilitation (5-0). A proposed sales tax increase for criminal justice under Ordinance 26-030 was continued to July 8 by a 5-0 vote.

Administrative sessions route items to committees

The council held administrative sessions on June 23 and June 30, during which legislative items were assigned to standing committees for review. On June 23, assignments included a Civil Service appointment and Children's Commission appointment to the Community Safety and Justice committee; a Public Assistance Grant, immunization data agreement, Everett Community College affiliation, and Poison Center agreement to the Health and Community Services committee; a Fire District interlocal agreement and Airport runway rehabilitation grant to the Planning and Community Development committee; and a Tulalip Tribes technology services agreement to the Public Infrastructure and Conservation committee. The Stanwood flood mitigation ordinance was moved to the General Legislative Session for public hearing scheduling, and a public hearing on the Growth Management ordinance was set for July 22, 2026. The June 30 session assigned 11 motions and ordinances to standing committees, moved sales tax and hazard mitigation items to the July 1 session, and scheduled an August 12 hearing for a transportation district.

Coming up

• **July 7 — Administrative Session:** The council will review an interlocal agreement with the City of Mukilteo for fire vehicle maintenance (up to $400,000), a proposed sales tax for the Snohomish County Transportation Benefit District with a public hearing set for July 15, a $55,000 five-year contract with Vesta Digital Intelligence for a work management platform, adoption of the 2026 Drainage Manual and Engineering Design Standards, and a supplemental appropriation for the Search and Rescue Helicopter Fund using tribal funds.
• **July 7 — Public Infrastructure and Conservation Committee:** Review of Ordinance 26-029 (Commute Trip Reduction Plan), Ordinance 26-025 (road right-of-way franchise for SQF, LLC D/B/A Verta), Motion 26-255 (North High Rock Road Slide Repair Project), Motion 26-257 (change order for Arlington Operations Center construction), and Motion 26-246 (technology services agreement with Tulalip Tribes).
• **July 7 — Planning and Community Development Committee:** Review of an interlocal agreement with Snohomish County Fire Protection District No. 4, a mechanical services contract with the City of Mukilteo up to $400,000, and termination of a previous agreement with the City of Snohomish and Fire District No. 4.
• **July 8 — General Legislative Session:** The council will consider Ordinance 26-030, a proposed 0.1% sales tax increase for criminal justice; the Vesta Digital Intelligence bid award ($55,000 over five years); adoption of the 2026 Drainage Manual; amendments to the Engineering Design and Development Standards; and Resolution 26-035 recognizing the Snohomish County Civic Assembly on AI.
• **July 8 — Public Hearings:** The council will review and vote on Motion 26-155, amendments to the Snohomish County Comprehensive Plan and GMA Development Regulations for Docket XXII.

Snohomish County Council Imposes Emergency Moratorium on Data Centers

The Snohomish County Council unanimously approved an emergency moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated areas this week, effective immediately. The council also accepted a disaster-planning mitigation plan, advanced a sales-tax proposal, and set a July 15 public hearing on a transportation district measure.

Data Center Moratorium

During the June 24 general legislative session, the council voted 5-0 to enact an emergency ordinance halting new data center development in unincorporated Snohomish County. The moratorium takes effect at once. No duration was specified in the meeting minutes.

Charter Amendment Fails for Lack of Votes

A proposed charter amendment that would have required mandatory political history disclosure for County Executive and Council candidates failed 3-2 on June 24. The measure needed four votes to advance.

Emergency Funds for Prosecutor’s Office

Also on June 24, the council approved an emergency appropriation for the Prosecuting Attorney’s office by a 5-0 vote. No dollar amount was given in the minutes.

Hazard Mitigation Plan Adopted

On July 1, the council approved Motion 26-230, adopting the 2025 Snohomish County Hazard Mitigation Plan, by a 5-0 vote. The plan guides disaster preparedness and recovery strategies.

FAA Grant for Runway Rehabilitation

A Federal Aviation Administration grant for airport runway rehabilitation was approved 5-0 on July 1. The dollar figure was not listed in the consent agenda actions.

Other Actions

• A consent agenda covering fair contracts, a LiDAR agreement, and a Tulalip waterline project passed 5-0 on June 24.
• The council confirmed reappointments of Layla Bush and Karl Niemela to the Planning Commission.
• A public hearing on a Stanwood flood-risk mitigation agreement was scheduled for July 15.
• A performance audit notice to proceed was approved 5-0, with an amendment.
• A resolution celebrating America 250 was adopted 5-0.

Coming Up

• **July 7 Administrative Session:** The council will review a proposed sales tax for the Snohomish County Transportation Benefit District (public hearing set for July 15), an interlocal agreement with Mukilteo for fire vehicle maintenance (up to $400,000), and a five-year, $55,000 contract for a work management platform with Vesta Digital Intelligence. Adoption of the 2026 Drainage Manual and Engineering Design Standards is also on the agenda.
• **July 7 Public Infrastructure and Conservation Committee:** Members will examine a Commute Trip Reduction Plan (Ordinance 26-029), a road right-of-way franchise for Verta, and several project motions including a North High Rock Road slide repair.
• **July 7 Planning and Community Development Committee:** Agenda items include a fire protection agreement with Fire District 4 and the Mukilteo mechanical services contract.
• **July 8 General Legislative Session:** The council will consider Ordinance 26-030, a proposed 0.1% sales tax increase for criminal justice. Also on the docket: the Vesta Digital Intelligence contract, the drainage manual, and a resolution recognizing the Snohomish County Civic Assembly on AI.
• **July 8 Public Hearings:** A final vote is expected on Motion 26-155, amendments to the County Comprehensive Plan and GMA Development Regulations under Docket XXII.