EVERETT, Wash. – Mayor Cassie Franklin delivered her budget address and presented the City of Everett’s proposed 2022 budget at the Sept. 29 city council meeting.
The proposed 2022 budget continues to build on a foundation of quality-of-life priorities: housing; economic, workforce and cultural vitality; engaged and informed community; safe community; transportation and infrastructure; and responsive and responsible government.
“I’m proud of this year’s balanced budget as it supports our key priorities and core services, and also invests in important areas to help us tackle issues like climate change, homelessness and equity,” Franklin said. “I’m also excited for the plans we have in parks, arts and economic recovery.”
Franklin shared highlights from the proposed budget, including:
- Adding a new homelessness response coordinator who will develop and coordinate strategies to alleviate chronic homelessness in Everett
- Supporting the addition of 40 more Pallet shelters
- Updating parks facilities, with new playgrounds at Howarth and Thornton A. Sullivan parks
- Introducing new public art into the city including interactive sculptures, an Indigenous Peoples’ land acknowledgment piece, and a project to commemorate the shared experience of COVID-19
- Adding a full-time fundraiser for the Everett Public Library to bring new revenue to the library for expanded hours and services
- Designing the California Street Bicycle Corridor to provide a regional bicycle link between downtown and US-2
- Adding veterinary staff capacity to the animal shelter to support plans for reduced-cost vet services for income-qualifying residents
- Providing training opportunities on diversity, equity and inclusion for staff, city leadership, city council and boards and commissions members
Franklin spoke about the City’s economic development strategy to support local business to move Everett’s economy forward, cultivate pipelines into major industries, and strengthen, expand and diversify Everett businesses, with an emphasis on supporting green economy.
“We are committed to diversifying our economy and establishing Everett as a hub for green economy,” Franklin said. “We’re having success recruiting biotech and clean energy companies - companies I really believe are going change the world. I am excited to have them doing this work in Everett, providing our community with outstanding family-wage jobs.”
The mayor also spoke about climate action and reducing the City’s climate footprint. The proposed 2022 budget includes adding a full-time resource conservation manager to evaluate the City’s use of energy, water and other natural resources, and recommend opportunities for efficiency and conservation.
In closing, Franklin noted that the City still faces a growing structural deficit, and that she and city council will need to engage the public to explore and weigh in on funding options to put the City on long-lasting sustainable path.
Public invited to provide comment
Public hearings on the 2022 proposed budget will be held during Everett City Council meetings, held remotely, in October and November. Community members are invited to view learn more about the budget and provide input at everettwa.gov/budget.
The full text of the mayor’s remarks is available on the City’s website. A video of the mayor’s address is available on the City’s YouTube channel.
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