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January 31, 2026 <br />1 <br />The special meeting/retreat of the Everett City Council was called to order at 9:05 a.m., January <br />31, 2026, by President Schwab. <br />Introductions were made and Mayor Franklin and Council Members Schwab, Rhyne, Weir, <br />Burbano, Zarlingo, Tuohy and Bader were present. City staff also present: Government Affairs <br />Director Jennifer Gregerson, Senior Executive Directors Lori Cummings and Dan Templeman, <br />Interim Finance Director Mike Bailey, Deputy City Attorney Ramsey Ramerman, Council <br />Administrator Angela Ely, and City Clerk Marista Jorve. <br />Accomplishments/Challenges/Outcomes <br />Jennifer Gregerson opened the 2026 Council retreat. She began the meeting with an ice breaker, <br />two truths and a lie, and Mayor Franklin and each Council member presenting their two truths <br />and a lie. <br />Several Council members shared their goals for the day and setting plans for the year. <br />Revenue and Finance Briefing <br />Lori Cummings and Mike Bailey provided a revenue and finance briefing. This presentation <br />included a 2026 Budget overview, a history of actions to balance the budget, and revenue <br />options. Discussion ensued regarding property taxes, levies, and allocation of general <br />government funds. <br />Fire Chief Dave DeMarco presented the Fire Department revenue options. Discussion ensued <br />regarding boards of commissioners, fire benefits charges, legislation for possible municipal fire <br />authorities, a possible EMS levy, and scheduling a workshop just to address EMS/Fire. <br />Dan Templeman presented background on the Public Safety Sales Tax and the grant program. <br />Discussion ensued regarding uses for the revenue and State Criminal Justice Training Commission <br />certification. <br />Mike continued his presentation with other revenue considerations including payment in lieu of <br />taxes (PILOT) applied to water and sewer utilities with discussion regarding rates. <br />Bob Leonard, Executive Director of Operations, presented an overview of possible library <br />annexation. Council discussed per capita rates, governance and staffing, information regarding