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Bothell council votes unanimously to end membership in Sound Cities Association
Summary
The Bothell City Council voted 7–0 on March 17 to send notice terminating the city’s membership in the Sound Cities Association after council members cited concerns about board conduct and limited value relative to membership dues (about $25,000). Staff will notify SCA and return if circumstances change.
Bothell’s City Council voted unanimously on March 17 to adopt a resolution directing staff to notify the Sound Cities Association that the city is withdrawing its membership.
The vote followed a brief presentation from city staff and remarks from multiple council members who said they were troubled by conduct on the SCA board and questioned whether the association was delivering sufficient value for the annual dues, which staff said are just over $25,000.
Council Member Kurd moved to approve a resolution terminating membership; Deputy Mayor Jenny Aldrich seconded the motion. Council took a roll call vote and approved the motion 7–0 (Council Members Angulari, Mayor Mason Thompson, Deputy Mayor Jenny Aldrich, Kurd, Miles, Dodd and Alcabra all voted yes).
Why it mattered: Council members said they had tried informal engagement with SCA leadership but saw no corrective action. Several members said regional collaboration is important but should reflect City of Bothell values and produce measurable benefits for constituents, not only information‑sharing or political networking.
What the council said: "I would support a motion to withdraw from the Sound Cities Association," Council Member Dodd said during deliberations, citing concerns over board conduct and the message continued membership might send. Mayor Mason Thompson and other members said the decision could be revisited if SCA’s board or policies change.
Next steps: The resolution directs city staff to send a membership termination notice to SCA and to pause payment of membership fees for 2026. Staff told the council they will continue to engage regionally on shared priorities and will report back if circumstances change.
No binding policy changes beyond the withdrawal were made at the meeting; council members noted the decision could be reversed in the future if SCA addresses council concerns.
