Monroe may pursue city parks bond
MONROE — The City of Monroe is considering an additional ballot measure to fund parks. The idea was reported in Monroe This Week newsletter, and is based on the citywide support during consideration for Prop. 1, which would have funded parks improvements in the East County Parks and Recreation District. The measure failed due to lack of support outside the city and the failure to get 60 percent approval. Supermajority of 60 percent is needed for all measures requiring voter approval.
Public hearing on Everett Station BIA
EVERETT — The City Council approved creating a Business Improvement Area (BIA) taxing district around Everett Station, but a procedural snag means the city will have another opportunity to give public comment. The hearing will be 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at the council’s once-a-month daytime meeting. The council meets at 3002 Wetmore Ave.
Call for climate emergency measure
EVERETT — City Councilman Paul Roberts requested the city write an ordinance declaring there is a climate
emergency and that city policies should orient toward meeting certain climate goals. The council may be voting on the ordinance in January.
“We have lots of challenges ahead of us, and this is one we cannot ignore,”Roberts said.
The city is also developing its next iteration of its Climate Action Plan to guide policies and set goals for reducing carbon emissions in the city.
Snohomish racer wins at national event
SNOHOMISH — Jason Fraser of Snohomish won his class in a national car endurance race hosted by the National Auto Sport Association recently. Fraser and a team of three other drivers took the GT Challenge class at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill on Dec. 7 and 8. The team ran a 2018 BMW M4 GT4.
The multi-class race at Thunderhill Raceway Park in northern California had amateur and professional race teams from throughout the United States competing. The race was marked by periodic rain and wind.
Monroe Schools to ask to renew levy
MONROE — The Monroe School Board recently approved placing a replacement Technology Levy on the February 2020 ballot. If the renewal of the Technology Levy is approved by voters, the district will be authorized to collect $0.21 per $1,000 of assessed property value, beginning in 2021. This renewal levy would not be a new tax.
In 2014 voters approved a six-year Technology Levy to collect $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed property value. It expires in the spring of 2020.
PUD utility rates stay flat
The PUD will forego a rate increase for 2020, marking the third year in a row the PUD board has chosen against raising electric rates.
The PUD’s residential electric rate remains 10.4 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
PUD water customers will also see no rate increase in 2020, the utility noted.
The 2020 budget includes a $650 million operating budget for the PUD’s electric system, down from last year’s $665 million operating budget.
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