Snohomish County Charter Review Commission Update
Posted by Gary O'Rielly on Sep 13, 2016
The Washington State Constitution grants counties the option of adopting a Home Rule Charter for their form of government. Snohomish County is one of seven charter counties in Washington State. The Snohomish County Charter was adopted in 1980 and amended in 1986, and every ten years after that.
In the November, 2015 General Election, voters of Snohomish County elected a Charter Review Commission that is composed of fifteen members, three from each Council District, chosen in the general election and is tasked with: Review the Snohomish County Charter; determine the Snohomish County Charter adequacy and suitability to the needs of the county; Review the existing structure of county government; Evaluate possible changes to the Charter; Seek to enhance government efficiency and provide a forum for public input.
Doug Roulstone was our guest speaker September 9th and a member of the Snohomish County Charter Review Commission representing from County Council District #5. Captain Roulstone commented that there are two documents that govern our lives. The United States Constitution and the Washington State Constitution. The process started in November 2015 and Jennifer Gregerson, Mayor of Mukilteo was the Chair of the Charter Review Commission.
Initially the meetings were every two weeks and as time drew nearer they met each week. Open meeting law was followed. One of the hotly contended issue was the possibility of increasing the number of council members from five to seven. Any expansion of the Council Districts would involve additional cost which included staffing, office space and was eventually eliminated.
On June 29, 2016, the Charter Review Commission voted to submit 7 propositions to the November 2016 ballot. Proposition 1 - Commission on Human Rights; Proposition 2 - Public Advocate; Proposition 3 - Nondiscrimination; Proposition 4 - Hearing Examiner Appeals; Proposition 5 - Council Meetings; Proposition 6 - Appointment and Confirmation; and Proposition 7 - Redistricting.
Captain Roulstone's resume is deep in the US Military graduating from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1972 and a rich in military awards and traditions plus deep in community involvement too numerous to mention in this article.