City of Everett, WA

Mayor Cassie Franklin recently joined the Alternative Mobile Services Association podcast to share about the evolution of our embedded social worker program into the Community Alternative Response Everett (CARE) team - a program that is changing lives and shifting how we respond to behavioral health crises. Programs like CARE are one part of a larger effort: increasing emergency housing, expanding access to treatment and building more pathways to long-term stability for our community. Check out this clip where Mayor Franklin talks about the journey and the impact the program is having today. Watch the full conversation here: bit.ly/425p0vQ

Want to make a real impact in your community? This is your chance! Applications are open for positions on a variety of Boards and Commissions! The City of Everett is looking for residents who want to make a difference in their community. Serving on a board or commission is a unique opportunity to provide input on important city decisions, share your expertise and help shape the future of Everett. If you’re interested in serving, we encourage you to apply today and bring your perspective and ideas to the table. Together, we can build a stronger Everett! To learn more or apply, visit everettwa.gov/boards

Our CARE team, the City of Everett’s alternative response program, continues to ease the burden on emergency services by handling low-acuity calls, meaning calls where there isn't an urgent health or public safety concern. In a recent case, Lori and Betsy from the CARE team responded to a welfare check involving an individual in a hospital gown. CARE recognized the situation as a potential missing person case and acted promptly - locating the individual, facilitating a phone call with a loved one, coordinating with the Everett Fire Department, and arranging a safe return to the hospital. Our Everett Police Department was informed but did not need to respond, allowing them to focus on higher-priority calls throughout our city. This is just one way our CARE team delivers thoughtful support while helping preserve critical law enforcement capacity. Learn more about this work: everettwa.gov/care

Let’s talk about the 1% property tax cap - one of the biggest challenges Washington cities like Everett face when it comes to funding public services. Since 2001, state law has limited cities to increasing the total amount of property tax they collect by just 1% per year, unless voters approve more. That’s not 1% per property; it’s 1% total, across the board. 💡 Here’s the issue: the cost of providing services (public safety, parks, infrastructure, and more) grows much faster than 1% per year. Inflation alone can add 2-4% each year - or more. The result? Even though property values have gone up and populations are growing, the amount cities can collect has not been able to keep pace - creating a growing gap between what residents need and the funding available. Learn more: everettwa.gov/budget

For over 50 years, Homage Senior Services has provided dedicated service to more than 25,000 older adults and individuals with disabilities. Each year, through their programs, Homage has provided mental health support, nutrition assistance, care coordination, transportation and minor home repairs. As of August 1, Homage has relocated from Lynnwood to Everett, a move that will enable the organization to broaden its services and support even more individuals in need of care. Interim CEO Juli Rose stated while the organization’s physical address may be changing, their mission remains the same: to ensure older adults and people with disabilities receive the care, connection and respect they deserve. This move reflects Homage’s continued commitment of meeting the growing needs of individuals in need across our region and will allow growth and the expansion of vital programs and services that support older adults and people with disabilities. During the relocation, all Homage programs and services will continue with limited interruption. The City of Everett is excited and honored to welcome Homage to our community. To learn more about the move, visit homage.org or call 425-355-1112.

We’re not just hiring; we’re hiring with purpose ❤️ Our Everett Police Department continues to build a team that reflects and serves our full community. Between May 2023 and May 2024, we received 536 applications - and the diversity of our applicants shows that our efforts to recruit broadly are working: - 40% of applicants identified as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) - 33% of female applicants came from underrepresented racial groups - 56% of hires in 2024 were BIPOC These aren’t quotas. Our police department only hires the best candidates - full stop. By having a great internal culture, a variety of unique career opportunities and casting a wider net, we end up with a more robust talent pool, allowing us to find top candidates to join the team. Everett PD is setting a standard not just in staffing but in creating a police force that better represents the rich diversity of the community we serve.

"The cost of federal cuts is local - and we need strong partnerships now more than ever. A new report by the National Association of Counties (NACo) shows that up to $1 trillion in federal costs could be passed down to counties in the next 10 years. That means fewer resources for food assistance, health care, emergency response, and more - at a time when local need is growing. This doesn’t just impact counties. It affects cities like Everett, too. Because when counties are underfunded, the ripple effects hit our communities hard. That’s why the partnership between cities and counties is so important. We saw just how critical it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially here, where the very first U.S. case was detected. I’ll never forget how quickly our region came together. Thanks to strong coordination between the county and our cities, we were able to respond quickly and consistently. I truly believe that collaboration helped us weather that storm better than many. But we can’t do that without the tools and resources to meet the moment. If federal support continues to erode, the gap between well-resourced and under-resourced communities will only grow. As Mayor, I’ll keep working with our partners to fight for the resources our region needs. Because every city - and every resident - deserves a fair shot." - Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin commenting on the impacts of federal funding cuts to our local counties and cities. Learn more by checking out this article from the National Association of Counties: https://lnkd.in/gw9z25GU #LocalGovernmentMatters #StrongPartnerships #CityCountyCollaboration #EverettWA #NACo

At the City of Everett, we’re doing everything we can to encourage the addition of more housing options of different types and price points throughout the city. Recently, Mayor Cassie Franklin celebrated the groundbreaking for the Rucker Apartments, an affordable housing project led by Devco Residential Group. This project represents a win for downtown, adding vibrancy, bringing in new residents, and supporting local businesses. Beyond adding housing, this new development will also provide a home for Rise Up Academy’s new location to expand childcare services, providing a powerful example of how strategic partnerships can help us solve multiple challenges at once. Thank you to Devco and Rise Up Academy and all the partners who helped bring this project to life!

With the Outdoor Event Center project, we aren't just trying to build a stadium; it’s about creating something that supports downtown revitalization, encourages investment and development, attracts tourism and enhances quality of life for our residents. This also means planning for the full visitor experience including options for how people arrive as well as fun things to do before and after an event. One of the greatest advantages of the downtown site is its close proximity to our regional transportation hub, Everett Station, providing easy access to buses, trains and light rail (in the future). There are also 2,600+ parking spaces within 10 minutes - more than 3x the parking currently available at Funko Field - plus great retail shops, cafes, bars and restaurants just blocks away in our historic downtown. We want to build a destination, not just a venue - one that brings people together, adds to our community’s quality of life and strengthens our local economy. Learn more: everettwa.gov/outdoorEC

Looking to sharpen your skills, learn something new or take the next step in your career? Evergreen Goodwill is offering FREE job training and education classes right here in Everett! From computer and digital literacy to customer service, GED prep and ESOL, these 8-week classes are a great opportunity to grow your resume and gain confidence. 📍 In-person walk-in registration: Monday, July 21 to Thursday, July 24, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 210 SW Everett Mall Way, Suite “D” Registration includes an application, assessment and interview (plan for up to 2 hours). Seating is limited; first come, first served! Class sessions run: August 11 – October 2, 2025. For the full schedule and to learn more, check out: evergreengoodwill.com #EverettWA #WorkforceDevelopment #JobTraining