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The Snohomish County Charter Review Commission has delivered its formal recommendations to Snohomish County Council Chair Megan Dunn.
According to a news release, the Commission submitted a transmittal letter May 29 containing five proposed amendments to the Snohomish County Charter for placement on the Nov. 4, 2026 General Election ballot.
The five proposals were developed through a rigorous, transparent and inclusive review process, the news release said. The Commission began its work by examining 25 proposals submitted by members of the public and commissioners. The Commission then identified five amendments that it determined were necessary to ensure the charter remains relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of county residents and government operations.
Throughout its deliberations, the Commission adhered to Washington State Open Public Meeting Actstandards, ensuring that public comment opportunities were provided at every meeting. In addition, the Commission convened three separate public hearings — exceeding the minimum requirements of the current county charter and consistent with the Rules of Procedure adopted by the Commission at the commencement of its work — to engage the public and solicit feedback on the final proposals under consideration.
The Commission also invited and received expert input from several key Snohomish County officials, including the county auditor, county assessor, county treasurer and chief budget officer. This collaboration ensured that the proposals were informed by operational expertise and a comprehensive understanding of county governance and fiscal matters, the news release said.
Snohomish County is one of seven charter counties in Washington state. The Snohomish County Charter was adopted in 1980 and amended in 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2016.
The 15-member Commission includes three commissioners elected from each of the five Snohomish County Council districts. All commissioners were elected to their nonpartisan positions in the November 2025 general election and assumed their seats in January 2026. Each commissioner serves an unpaid one-year term and dedicates their time and expertise to the important responsibility of reviewing and recommending updates to the county’s foundational governing document, the news release said.
The proposals forwarded to the County Council will now proceed to the auditors office, and pro/con committees will be formed before the measures are placed on the ballot in the November general election.
For additional information, including the full text of the proposed amendments and meeting materials, visit the Commission’s page on the Snohomish County website at www.snohomishcountywa.gov/3520/Charter-Review-Commission.
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