Published September 2004

Citizens Cabinet unveils economic ‘blueprint’

By John Wolcott
SCBJ Editor

The Citizens Cabinet on Economic Development, appointed in February by Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, has identified changes that need to be made to create a strong economic future for the county — from establishing passenger air service at Paine Field to smoothing permit processes for builders.

Published in late August, the 19-member groups’ 35-page report, “A Blueprint for Economic Growth in Snohomish County,” was the result of studies by four subcommittees focused on regulatory reform, taxes and fees, human capital and physical infrastructure issues.

The study was co-chaired by longtime Everett resident and Washington State University regent Connie Niva and Michael Martino, president and chief executive of Sonus Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Bothell.

Members of the group represented education, Boeing, Tulalip Tribes, biotech, health care, commercial firms, industry, labor, agriculture and housing.

“What the Citizens Cabinet has done ... is identify both the assets and liabilities of doing business here. Its members have created a strategic plan for the future that focuses on removing barriers to economic growth,” Reardon said.

He pledged to implement the plan through executive order, directives to various departments and by working with the County Council and the state Legislature to make changes.

The cabinet’s recommendations include:

• Regulatory reform that includes faster permit processing, eliminating unnecessary or redundant approvals and providing predictable requirements to eliminate the “surprises” that often cost businesses extra expense even after applications have been processed and designs have been completed.
• Taxes and fee structures should be based on the value received from the government, set at a level adequate to pay for those services, yet competitive enough to attract and retain businesses.
• Physical infrastructure must be maintained and upgraded throughout the county, including an effective transportation network, increased spending for surface-water management, ensuring efficient waste disposal services and enabling the Snohomish County Airport to add the convenience of air service for residents and businesses, as well as for attracting and retaining high-tech businesses necessary to the county’s economic growth.
• Human capital needs identified include adequate funding for K-12 schools, adequate social services, establishing a four-year university in the county to increase access to higher education and implementing a Workforce Investment Act to train local workers and assist them in finding family-wage jobs.

“This report offers recommendations that are very timely for Snohomish County, which is very much on the brink of growing and developing its economic resources,” said Niva. “It’s good to have a plan to direct that growth rather than just letting it happen. It’s very clear to us that the private sector drives the economy (and affects) the quality of life, the tax base and our environment.”

Martino noted that “county government is a big part of life in the county ... that sets off a ripple effect in the economy that has ramifications for cities (as well as unincorporated areas).”

“This is a bold move to involve citizens in development of this economic growth plan, to change the way we do things in the county,” he said.

“When we look at the tax base, we’re not talking about changing taxes as the only way to fund county government, we’re talking about growing the economy to work our way through this,” said Carol Nelson, head of Cascade Bank and a member of the Citizens Cabinet.

Reardon said the group will reconvene in January and in each quarter thereafter to monitor and discuss the progress of implementing the report.

The full Citizens Cabinet report is available at www.co.snohomish.wa.us under “Featured Contents.”

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