Snohomish County chair says Clean Air Agency facing funding cuts; county will oppose per-capita rate increase

Council Chair Dunne said the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is facing reductions in state and federal funding and that Snohomish County will oppose raising the county's per-capita rate at the agency's upcoming meeting. "The Clean Air agency is, seeing a reduction in funds from both the state and federal government, but we'll be, advocating to not increase our, per capita rate at that meeting," Dunne said.

The remark came during routine committee reports at the Snohomish County Council's administrative session on Jan. 27, 2026. The chair identified the anticipated debate as a county priority to avoid an added per-capita charge for county residents.

The statement did not include a proposed dollar amount, a proposed county response beyond advocacy, or a timeline for any county action. Dunne said the county would raise the issue at the Clean Air Agency meeting; no follow-up vote or formal county action was taken during the council session.

Background: the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency sets regional policy and funding discussions that can include a per-capita assessment paid by member jurisdictions. Dunne said the agency is seeing reductions in state and federal support; the council did not receive a staff presentation or additional budget estimates during this session.

The council moved on without taking formal action on the matter; the agency's debate on per-capita rates is scheduled at the agency's next meeting, according to Dunne.