[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5970395,"mediaKeyId","5798394-ed96cfcbf2c83c28b995ce7cab0c2f85","parentId",5798394,"title","City staff outline public‑safety sales‑tax option and three‑year grant opportunity to help fund defenders and officers","audioSeconds",326,"startMs",12799000,"endMs",13125000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798394-ed96cfcbf2c83c28b995ce7cab0c2f85&start=12799&end=13125","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798394-ed96cfcbf2c83c28b995ce7cab0c2f85/thumbnail_12799000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5970395/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/City-staff-outline-publicsafety-salestax-option-and-threeyear-grant-opportunity-to-help-fund-defenders-and-officers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5970395-c790c6778387f4f31188613a3d95ce6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758710&Signature=gnaBqx1QKggDwaJkr-uoLLMocwbQOQFjuBKC3Q2w~UzDw6QqUlvt1WPqW0sDoVPmPe2Q1NYPh6Fk~syTMuO-fjlrOBRrl7Py6zt8XXGf9sWZJ7J~20LNSh-E1axtTH72o3a0YrjL2WdXcZx7vg~gcdwz77VtvKhLaB8RcJrK2APRn7tPfOZNE~fdY-UJ5ooCxbdO2Q4bxCR1MNR~fDi2n1-GT6yD5sRDezjf3Vh5CJh8PXJyH8ByyERWFV~jfBYvpPdyY9H3KSgWJr0lOS3HqwEuqMe19L6z1XFGPYIyo5H3GP-jYTeCnsAxKZOaCryFack--XndIuNsw1a63Ci6Bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake Stevens City, WA","date","2025-09-13T22:34:13Z","article","At the retreat, staff explained two linked mechanisms available to Lake Stevens to increase public‑safety funding: (1) a councilmanic 0.1% public‑safety sales tax the city can adopt and (2) a three‑year grant administered by the Criminal Justice Training Commission that requires a local match and program eligibility.

The 0.1% sales tax (if adopted locally) would yield in the order of roughly $800,000 per year for the city under current sales‑tax projections, according to staff estimates provided at the retreat. The sales‑tax statute allows cities to fund a broad range of public‑safety and criminal‑justice related expenditures — for example, support for public defenders, domestic‑violence services, diversion programs, behavioral‑health crisis response and other public‑safety needs — though staff noted the statute’s authorization is intentionally broad and local councils choose how to prioritize uses.

A related grant program administered by the Criminal Justice Training Commission offers multi‑year funding (75% of salary up to specified thresholds) for newly created public‑safety positions; staff stressed that the grant typically requires a 25% local match and that the grant expects new positions rather than lateral hires. The two programs are linked because meeting the grant’s eligibility often requires an existing local revenue commitment (for example, the local sales tax).

Staff noted practical constraints: the grant is competitive and subject to program requirements — such as training benchmarks and policies for use‑of‑force reporting — that the city must meet. The sales tax option would need council action to notify Department of Revenue if the city wants the tax effective on January 1 (staff cited an October notice deadline), or otherwise the city could place the tax on a ballot. Staff emphasized the tax is perpetual unless repealed, while the grant runs for fixed multi‑year periods and would not cover long‑term operating costs indefinitely.

Police leaders said additional recurring funding would help with both hiring and with support functions (training, fleet and wellness) but noted hiring remains constrained by the regional labor market and downstream costs such as academy and field training.

Ending: Staff recommended bringing a public‑safety sales‑tax proposal for council consideration at an upcoming meeting and promised to return with an implementation timetable and recommended prioritization of eligible spending tied to community needs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Retreat of September 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff briefed council on a councilmanic 0.1% public‑safety sales tax that could raise roughly $800,000 annually, and on a competitive three‑year CJTC grant that partially funds new public‑safety positions; staff outlined eligibility, timing and caveats.","taxTitle","Lake Stevens, Snohomish County, Washington","taxId",53861,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5970396,"City leaders press for IT hires, data cleanup and modernization as systems age",4470,1468000,5938000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798394-ed96cfcbf2c83c28b995ce7cab0c2f85&start=1468&end=5938","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798394-ed96cfcbf2c83c28b995ce7cab0c2f85/thumbnail_1468000.jpg","/articles/5970396/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/City-leaders-press-for-IT-hires-data-cleanup-and-modernization-as-systems-age","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5970396-218138f7f71cb1b6bf36684f09477020/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758710&Signature=XD61AFlRXIbCOK9ScAXu3651ZkMoBBkh~Q7dCijcKkclqRSUZd04EesQVr3sN0NI9zvO~91yE2dpODCyx~Wqze~lZvLiBU6Rpu7lRUYjFi5asM8tok0UKr9~F5xN~uNGF8mVZ20SMpt1OYQeMLO5EJoUGbsBBE8uvyqGYgOJxsqGfT0ZMZY3Mk6MwRYc9RrOmCCuzt8A~G-~b5G5rMHdrSgBGQzz-DlyfLcy6FTmy6PWr2UbD7a1aoIxwQZqN~yAi03ML4I18j-x1r6EPYKHBqFXXv2hF2sFcwjKe5lo8tSc3Vm4tAcLYCqRHx7InZ8HTaJ2VCBwmmOOntvx6ByBTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City technology and department leaders told a Lake Stevens budget retreat that the city’s growing data holdings and an aging mix of software create operational and security risks.

Troy (IT director) said the city recently migrated large volumes of content into SharePoint but lacks staff to clean, maintain and govern that content. He and other speakers said many documents are scanned images without OCR, which prevents modern search and AI‑assisted analysis until documents are converted and metadata cleaned.

IT proposed two prioritized staffing additions: an application/data analyst focused on governance, data hygiene and ADA compliance; and a GIS technician to provide redundancy and support increasing spatial data workloads. Troy also proposed reclassifying a systems engineer to an infrastructure manager and adding an infrastructure/system administrator to increase capacity for cloud migration, data‑center upgrades and security.

Operational asks included a SharePoint administration tool (Sharegate), upgrades to core infrastructure (data‑center hardware, wireless and telephony), and targeted modernization of specialized city software (for example, ViewWorks for public‑works workflows) — costs the IT presentation described as largely professional‑services and implementation rather than software subscription. Directors stressed that many vendors are beginning to build “AI‑native” capabilities and that staying on legacy frameworks will limit future automation and analytics.

Staff emphasized that the principal barrier to rapid modernization is staff capacity rather than software funding — departments reported a large backlog of projects and daily operational demands that keep IT working “fire to fire.”

Ending: IT leaders asked council to consider the proposed staffing and a staged program of modernization so the city preserves and leverages prior technology investments and can respond to ADA and public records obligations.","Department heads told a retreat Lake Stevens’ IT systems and data stores are increasingly legacy-bound and at risk of losing value; staff recommended a new application/data analyst position, a GIS technician, and investments in SharePoint governance and software modernization to realize efficiencies and protect prior tech investments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5970397,"Lake Stevens moves toward traffic‑safety camera rollout after council ordinance; staff to complete equity and crash analysis",738,9264000,10002000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798394-ed96cfcbf2c83c28b995ce7cab0c2f85&start=9264&end=10002","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798394-ed96cfcbf2c83c28b995ce7cab0c2f85/thumbnail_9264000.jpg","/articles/5970397/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lake-Stevens-moves-toward-trafficsafety-camera-rollout-after-council-ordinance-staff-to-complete-equity-and-crash-analysis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5970397-eb314e3e701d13354926d877de1612d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758710&Signature=emdyptZrNeZq4lmzG~EJy6~0ftgQBJV-WUcizEzs~B2LS54hCXKBBE7rbgnYkf1JdNIJaa~5oLh-McjPvCy~FCMkMYcquqbmUvqg0BrXM7pXeMneoKrmmyKzn-tu48EBaYGkCNiGAugxfpm7-y42VeZXL4cgZNPTYGTM6xZp4rIeng6yaMXBhWYF0BnawtTWZWmdcpL3G7UeLopv-~POuMANB-pL3CA8gvBEqfP5Ra9t~hL6lelnmyjZp2t2frlHjA5Kce-TwONO79~UA7ShI5vSkfQL6b-dHXrLqHTgdSurJcdt0AJqw1vCZ6KhpxWwpPAG4Rr2n1RTSS7bZXPNUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Lake Stevens has begun implementing a traffic‑safety camera program after the council adopted an ordinance in July authorizing automated enforcement in school zones, hospital and park zones, work zones and high‑crash locations.

Staff told a budget retreat that they have collected telematics and vehicle‑speed data across school approaches and ran a preliminary prioritization. Early candidates for initial camera sites included Hillcrest Elementary, Mount Pilchuck Elementary and Skyline (Lake Stevens Middle/High school approaches), which show higher median speeds and high weekday trip volumes on the road segments measured.

City staff emphasized that the city will not activate cameras immediately. State rules and the council’s ordinance require an equity and crash analysis before sites are finalized. Staff said they will contract with a traffic consultant to run a formal equity review (distribution of enforcement effects across neighborhoods and populations) and a crash‑history analysis to confirm the highest‑risk locations. The consultant study will also refine speed and volume calculations and recommend exact camera placements.

Staff briefed council on projected program revenues under a scenario of three 24/7 camera sites; early, rough modeling showed gross citation amounts in the low millions in year 1 but also assumed the common observation that citations drop substantially once cameras are active and drivers change behavior. Staff said they will refine the revenue modeling with the consultant and that any revenue would be used for program operation, traffic safety improvements and, where permitted by law, enforcement costs.

Staff also noted operational steps ahead: a 30‑day advance public notice and signage at any activation site, police‑review procedures for images, and an internal schedule for pilot site activation once the analysis is complete.

Ending: The city will return to council with the consultant report, recommended sites and a proposed activation/implementation schedule and signage plan.","Council adopted an ordinance in July authorizing automated enforcement for speeding and red‑light violations in school, park and work zones; staff presented candidate school sites and an initial revenue model, and said a consultant‑led equity/crash analysis will guide exact locations and activation plans.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5970398,"Mayor presents tight 2026 baseline budget, urges targeted cuts and revenue shifts",2346,585000,2931000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798394-ed96cfcbf2c83c28b995ce7cab0c2f85&start=585&end=2931","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798394-ed96cfcbf2c83c28b995ce7cab0c2f85/thumbnail_585000.jpg","/articles/5970398/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Mayor-presents-tight-2026-baseline-budget-urges-targeted-cuts-and-revenue-shifts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5970398-8133bb4e7c6996870ea1cc9756562031/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758710&Signature=gT~n3IDEMt4o3mOPcnw5R4SXY8ZHpMrWyhWOmmReKnmFjPAIybEW1XZ7IK5RELBqDHV3hv52aX8yuAcGv~t4WGAZKpeXwYRTweUFlfx9N00iizTQUBCGrGjPuCHFNBctFDaSmz9SWQBF7k1MqI-dHy6V-hx4WTrdvZQjQL2CuoMaZ8qJa0q66pkb6vGgygjpFRCtX0nvLhFvcNWKL5CHi2o5n~oOLZ6fEBIZf442oXd4Nc7yExMEW98ZmKSHxKBrhpK2E1CfMex23UH6mAMdv3SiiaIr~G1yDERsnNIlV1QiIdSBHLe9YwAcJJB5KDn-esXOAgoM0AYLqT2XsDoGBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor (name not specified) opened a City of Lake Stevens budget retreat by calling the 2026 budget “a difficult budget,” saying the city has spent down prior reserves and must prioritize core services such as public safety and infrastructure.

The mayor said the 2026 proposal focuses on public safety, infrastructure maintenance and investments in technology to improve staff productivity. The presentation showed Lake Stevens’ operating revenues have lagged operating expenditures for several years, prompting use of one-time reserve balances to smooth service levels.

City finance staff presented figures showing a continuing structural gap: the mayor’s recommended budget still showed a multi‑million-dollar operating deficit unless the council adopts proposed revenue reallocations and other adjustments. Staff flagged a recommended change to how property‑tax revenue is allocated — reducing the street fund share from 28% to 14% and shifting roughly $940,000 annually to the general fund — as a near‑term way to support core operations.

Staff described personnel decisions already in effect to help close the gap: 14 currently vacant positions are being held, which staff estimate would save about $900,000 if left frozen through Jan. 1, 2026, and an additional roughly $500,000 if some positions remain frozen until April 1. Department heads said they are cataloging further non‑personnel reductions (deferred consulting, equipment purchases and training) and exploring reorganizations and efficiencies.

Council members and department directors stressed the tradeoffs: police leaders emphasized continuing recruiting and minimum staffing concerns; planning and permits staff said fee updates are already underway to recoup more of their costs; parks and public works leaders warned about deferred maintenance and service‑level impacts if vacancies and project delays continue.

The mayor and finance director told the retreat that the recommended budget is intentionally conservative and that staff will bring updated projections once 2025 year‑end actuals and the effect of the frozen positions are finalized.

Ending note: City staff said they will return with a refined 2026 forecast, more detail on the proposed property‑tax reallocation, and lists of recommended reductions and targeted revenue changes for council direction.","Mayor and staff told a budget retreat the city’s operating revenues have trailed expenses for years and the 2026 baseline shows a substantial deficit; staff proposed holding 14 vacant positions and shifting property-tax allocations from the street fund to the general fund to narrow the gap.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5970394,"Parks staff outline $0.22 property‑tax levy option and capital wish list; council urged to wait for PROS plan results",341,12504000,12845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798394-ed96cfcbf2c83c28b995ce7cab0c2f85&start=12504&end=12845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798394-ed96cfcbf2c83c28b995ce7cab0c2f85/thumbnail_12504000.jpg","/articles/5970394/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Parks-staff-outline-022-propertytax-levy-option-and-capital-wish-list-council-urged-to-wait-for-PROS-plan-results","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5970394-0275b771e46b8c526ff54f1f36e8a87c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758710&Signature=jZI4nASinAquZZl04KpORNu-p3P~kJfUrGX3QaCcC09kXNyA6D2cOe18UT5xFgkciLSTJxqte6-UNKBSb9udlzF4dImTNIG-dNOGpNJPpJWvj7JOrvHt8xP3rwhI9bsq6P8mZl2RclahiqG~kbagxFvuPTtCNBFmVgOjmy67yyWS42kXQbJP2ri8rpu4kUqDIP359Leu3sVb1GBixd2nAWMj6euIM18sxrV14cZNK05DvpSAEPqeSKkyAnclXeRsjY8D2XmA2rEw4HteKjdvmk4MmE0aABuV9iJUjbwcBChLLK~I10xh403tid~a-sfctd1go1Iq7Khd3mquTBnx8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks leadership presented a detailed list of capital needs and maintenance backlogs and discussed options to fund them through a dedicated parks property‑tax levy.

Parks director Sarah Christie provided an itemized project wish list — including restroom rebuilds at Lundeen and Davies beaches, bulkhead and pier repairs, playground replacements, synthetic turf field equipment, boat/workboat replacement and trail projects — and a consolidatedestimate. Using the city’s preliminary modeling, staff showed how a dedicated parks levy at 0.22 per $1,000 assessed valuation would raise funds over six years and affect homeowners: an owner of a $500,000 home would see an increase of about $110/year in property taxes under that 0.22 rate.

Staff and several council members stressed the importance of pairing any levy with a clear, community‑driven project list. Parks staff urged waiting for the city’s PROS (Parks, Recreation and Open Space) plan — now underway and expected to return community priorities and demand modeling — before committing to a ballot measure. Staff noted that capital improvement lists and maintenance backlogs exist, but that voters are more likely to support measures with ‘marquee’ amenities (for example, a community athletic complex or synthetic turf at a major field) rather than small catch‑up repairs alone.

Staff also outlined funding choices: levy proceeds can be split between operations and capital (staff modeled 20/80 and 50/50 splits), and emphasized that grant funding and sponsorships would still be pursued to reduce the local share for large projects. Several council members suggested prioritizing projects that would attract outside grants or private partners (for example, major ball‑field upgrades) to improve the measure’s voter appeal.

Ending: Parks staff will incorporate the PROS plan results and return with a prioritized, costed project list and recommended levy structure should council direct staff to pursue a ballot measure.","Parks staff presented a menu of deferred maintenance and proposed projects and showed how a 0.22 per $1,000 assessed‑value parks levy would translate to roughly $110/year for a median $500,000 home; staff and council members agreed the forthcoming Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) plan should shape any ballot measure priorities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff outline public‑safety sales‑tax option and three‑year grant opportunity to help fund defenders and officers

City leaders press for IT hires, data cleanup and modernization as systems age

Lake Stevens moves toward traffic‑safety camera rollout after council ordinance; staff to complete equity and crash analysis

Mayor presents tight 2026 baseline budget, urges targeted cuts and revenue shifts

Parks staff outline $0.22 property‑tax levy option and capital wish list; council urged to wait for PROS plan results