Residents urge caution on proposal to annex Everett Transit to Community Transit

Multiple residents asked Everett elected officials on May 13 to pause or clarify ongoing negotiations about annexing Everett Transit into Community Transit, expressing concerns about employee protections, tax changes and local control.

Daniel Simonton, an Everett resident, said he was not confident the city’s negotiations would preserve employee protections if Everett Transit is consolidated. “I fear concessions will be made despite commitments to keep employees whole,” Simonton told the council, and he asked the council to extend the interlocal agreement deadline by six months and to invite Senator Marco (as named in the record) to speak in person about the relevant state legislation.

Keith Jacobson, a District 3 resident, said the city should reject what he described as a ‘‘backdoor sales tax increase’’ and argued Everett Transit does not impose costs on the city. “Ever transit does not cost the city a single red cent, not 1,” Jacobson said, adding that merger would reduce local responsiveness and potentially increase fares and sales taxes for residents.

Other speakers urged that elected officials ensure paratransit and local service levels are protected. Rene Pairoa told council members that any annexation should include a public vote and called for protections for seniors who rely on paratransit services.

Council members acknowledged the concerns. The meeting also included broader discussion of the region’s transit future: councilors and the mayor encouraged continued public advocacy for completing the Everett–Tacoma light‑rail spine with Sound Transit, while members of the public weighed in both for and against consolidation and related funding changes.

No formal council action on annexation took place May 13; speakers asked for more transparent negotiations and for officials to share positions and details before any binding decisions are made.