County budget talks heated, new questions arise of former sheriff’s residency

EVERETT—Controversary surrounds former Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary after a damning audit report by George Skiles, Partner at Sjoberg-Evanshenk Consulting, on both Executive and Council Office staffing operations, pointed to “duplicative” and “overlapping” staff positions as a contributing factor to a proposed $3.07 billion 2025 Biennial Budget. While the number of core staffing positions has remained relatively the […]
County Executive clears the air and stands firm with $3 billion budget proposal

SNOHOMISH COUNTY—A week after a damning audit report by George Skiles, Partner at Sjoberg-Evanshenk Consulting, County Executive Somers stands firm and clears the air on his proposed 2025 Biennial Budget. Below is a statement by Snohomish County Executive Somers in its entirety: “As budget deliberations continue, my priority remains sustaining core county services that deliver for our […]
County Executive says funds are tight, a recent audit could point to why

SNOHOMISH COUNTY—In Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers’ proposed 2025 Biennial Budget, he said funds are tight for the county driven by inflation, rapid population growth, and COVID relief funds hitting the end of their limits. But a recent county audit, conducted on both Executive and Council Office staffing operations, may point to another contributing factor […]
Hundreds speak out against proposed 8% property tax increase

SNOHOMISH COUNTY—Hundreds gathered in the Jackson Board Room of the Snohomish County Campus’ Robert Drewel Building Tuesday morning, November 13, to speak out against a proposed general property tax levy increase of 8% drafted in County Executive Dave Somers’ proposed $3.07 billion biennial budget. The Executive’s proposed 2025/2026 budget increases the County’s general property tax […]
Police records point to inconsistencies in Riaz Khan’s assault claim

MUKILTEO—The Lynnwood Times followed up with State Representative Republican candidate Riaz Khan on how he is coping following what he claims was an attack by two politically and racially motivated individuals during the early morning of Tuesday, October 29 at the intersection of Goat Trail Road and Mukilteo Speedway. The Lynnwood Times also obtained 911 […]
County Councilman Nehring to propose elimination 8% property tax increase

EVERETT—Snohomish County Council Vice President Nate Nehring will be proposing a budget amendment to eliminate the 8% general property tax levy increase proposed in County Executive Dave Somers $3.07 billion 2025-26 biennial budget. The amendment eliminates the increase to the general property tax levy and makes corresponding cuts to expenditures in the budget. “Taxpayers in […]
Feds and CAIR now involved in politically-motivated hate crime against State Rep candidate

MUKILTEO—The Mukilteo Police Department have launched an investigation with federal partners to get to the bottom of the alleged assault on State Representative candidate Riaz Khan on Highway 525 and Goat Trail Road on Tuesday, October 29. Khan claims he was surveying his campaign signs early in the morning Saturday when two White males, aged […]
Muslim Republican candidate brutally assaulted in politically motivated attack

MUKILTEO—The intersection of Highway 525 and Goat Trail Road in Old Town Mukilteo, became a scene of a politically motivated attack against former Mukilteo City Councilman and current Republican candidate for the Washington State House of Representatives, 21st Legislative District, Riaz Khan. “You fucking foreigners, you come to America, you son of a bitch,” Khan […]
How wealthy is your elected official? Looking at politicians’ worth amidst 14% wage increases

Washington state-level lawmakers are set to receive up to a 14.7 percent wage increase following the proposed 2025/26 salary schedule adopted by the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials on October 10. The final vote is scheduled for February 5, 2025. Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck is advocating for the higher pay stating that […]
Executive Somers delivers new $3.07 billion biennial budget for consideration

SNOHOMISH COUNTY—Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers delivered the county’s first biennial budget to the County Council Wednesday, September 4, for the years of 2025 through 2026. The proposed budget including all funds totals $3.07 billion over the next two years (an increase of 6.66% from the previous 2023-24 cycle) that includes a proposed General Fund […]