Commissioner Browning announces resignation, highlights VOA Burlington project and county budget shortfall

Commissioner Browning spoke during the Sept. 23 public comment session and used the time to share community announcements, an update on housing funding and to say she submitted a written resignation.

"I had to officially submit my written resignation... be resigning at the end of this year, I had to put that in writing to the county, for Friday, January 2," Commissioner Browning said. She told the board she expects the final months in office to be busy with the budget process.

Browning also described an affordable-housing project by Volunteers of America of Western Washington. She said the county recently considered a resolution and held a public hearing on housing funds intended for 42 permanently affordable units at 3050% AMI; Browning said one-third of those units will be reserved for veterans. (Transcript wording "3050% AMI" was used; the county-described program context indicates the speaker was referring to income-restricted units in lower AMI bands.)

Browning noted the county will use housing funds to support the Burlington project at 3050% AMI and said the units will be permanently affordable. She also said the county is preparing for the budget process and that it enters the upcoming budget with “just under $19,000,000 out of balance.”

Why it matters: A commissioner’s departure, the allocation of housing funds and a multi-million-dollar budget gap all bear on county services and planning. Browning’s comments flagged upcoming decisions the board will take during the budget cycle and pointed to an ongoing housing-development partnership with Volunteers of America.

Clarifying details: Browning said the Volunteers of America project will deliver 42 affordable units in Burlington, with about one-third of units set aside for veterans. She said the county considered a resolution and public hearing related to housing funds that would support the project. Browning described the county’s budget as roughly $19 million out of balance as it approaches the next budget process.

Ending: Browning said she and Commissioner Wiesen will attend a North Star advisory group meeting and that work will continue on the county’s housing and behavioral-health initiatives. The board did not vote or take formal action during the Sept. 23 public-comment meeting.