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Council sets June 10 public hearings for three ordinances, splits on housing and behavioral‑health tax plan
Summary
Snohomish County Council set public hearings for ordinances on child endangerment, a sales/use tax for affordable housing and behavioral health, and county funding for housing for June 10 at 10:30 a.m.; two council members said they would not support moving the housing/behavioral‑health tax ordinances forward now, and both measures were set for hearing by 3‑2 votes.
SNOHOMISH COUNTY — At its May 20 meeting the Snohomish County Council set public hearings for three ordinances scheduled for Wednesday, June 10 at 10:30 a.m.
Council staff member Nicole Gorley told the council that ordinance 26‑016 (relating to child endangerment and creating a new chapter in county code) had been briefed to the Community Safety and Justice Committee and staff had circulated answers to committee questions. The council set the public hearing date and time.
Gorley said ordinance 26‑018 (creating a behavioral health facility expansion fund through sales and use tax for affordable housing and behavioral health and amending chapter 4.126) had also been briefed and that a council member requested it be moved together with the companion ordinance. During discussion, Chair Dunne said she would not support moving either ordinance forward at this time, citing "misinformation around these" and concerns about business‑model and five‑year plan details. Council member Peterson also said she would not support moving the measures forward and recommended broader community conversation before formal hearings. Despite their objections, the motion to set the hearing for ordinance 26‑018 passed 3‑2.
The council then set a public hearing for ordinance 26‑019 (adding a new section to county code for county funding for housing) for the same date and time; that motion also passed 3‑2.
Why it matters: These ordinances address housing funding and behavioral health facility expansion — issues with financial and service‑delivery implications for county residents. The split votes indicate council division on whether to proceed immediately to public hearings or first pursue broader community engagement.
Representative quotes: "There's been misinformation around these... so I'm not supporting moving these forward," Chair Dunne said.
What happens next: All three items are scheduled for public hearings on June 10 at 10:30 a.m. The hearings will be an opportunity for additional public testimony and for council members to weigh public input and staff analysis before any final votes.
