Mayor Cassie Franklin

08/31/2026

City of Lynnwood, WA Councilmember David Parshall speaks from experience when it comes to preparing a community for light rail. As Lynnwood prepared for Sound Transit light rail to arrive, a strong partnership with Community Transit was critical to making it work.

As Councilmember Parshall points out, getting light rail to the city alone isn’t enough. The key to success is frequent, convenient bus service that connects people to the light rail system. Today, 15 Community Transit routes connect to light rail in Lynnwood, with buses arriving at Lynnwood City Center Station as often as every 45 seconds on weekday mornings. Everett needs that same increased connectivity as light rail moves north.

Consolidating Everett Transit with Community Transit gives us an opportunity to strategically increase our investment in transit and significantly expand service in the coming years while also building the regional connections we’ll need to make light rail successful when it reaches Everett.

I appreciate Councilmember Parshall sharing what Lynnwood has learned firsthand: we can’t wait until light rail arrives to start building the transit system that will support it.

Check out his full op-ed here: https://www.heraldnet.com/2026/08/29/parshall-everett-needs-robust-bus-connections-to-make-light-rail-succeed/

The proposed consolidation of Community Transit with Everett Transit will improve transportation for people in Everett and across Snohomish County. That is especially the case as Sound Transit works to extend the much-anticipated Link light rail connection to Everett.

08/21/2026

Have you heard about our partnership with Snohomish Conservation District, the Tulalip Tribes and City of Marysville WA - government?

The Climate Mayors asked us to share a related to our climate action work and the first project I thought of was our Urban and Community Forest Initiative! Thanks to grant funding from the Dept. of Agriculture, we are planting thousands of trees - with an emphasis on the areas that need them the most.

And we are making it easy for our community to get involved! Residents and businesses in eligible areas can receive a free tree - including planting - plus we’re hosting community tree plantings in parks and other public spaces.

Our goal is to add nearly 4,000 trees by the end of 2028. That means more shade, cooler and more walkable neighborhoods, cleaner air, better stormwater management and more habitat for local wildlife.

Learn more about the program by visiting everettwa.gov/freetrees

08/20/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Everett Transit and Community Transit consolidation open house this week! It was great to see so many community members come out to learn more about the proposed approach, ask questions and share their perspectives.

I especially appreciated the opportunity to connect with you and hear directly from many of our transit advocates and individuals who rely on these services every day. Your experiences and perspectives are important as we consider what the future of transit in Everett could look like.

A big thank you as well to all the staff who joined us to talk with community members and help answer questions.

If you weren’t able to attend - or have more to share - there’s still time to provide feedback on the proposed approach to consolidation. Visit everettwa.gov/transitconsolidation to learn more and to complete our feedback form.

Thank you to everyone who is taking the time to learn more and be part of this process!

08/19/2026

Small businesses are a big part of what makes Everett, Everett. They create jobs and bring life to our neighborhoods and commercial districts. And they help make our city a great place to live, work and visit.

This summer, my team and I went directly to local businesses to hear what’s working, where they’re feeling pressure and where local government can make a difference. Through a survey, roundtables and business visits, we heard from 110 businesses across Everett.

The message was clear: rising costs are creating real challenges. Businesses also want faster, easier City processes, continued focus on public safety and more opportunities to reach customers.

But we also heard optimism. More than half of survey respondents are optimistic about the future of their business, and many of the owners we met with talked about plans to grow and invest right here in Everett.

Thank you to every business owner who took the time to share their experience with us. We’re listening, and we’ll use what we heard to help identify practical ways we can better support Everett businesses.

Read the full Small Business Outreach Report: everettwa.gov/businessoutreach

Learn more by checking out our news release: everettwa.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/4483

08/06/2026

Everett, thank you! Preliminary election results show Everett voters approved our EMS levy lid lift with nearly 75% support - the strongest approval for a levy in our community in the last 20 years! I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to learn about Everett's EMS levy, ask questions, and make your voice heard.

Your support is an ongoing investment in the Everett Fire Department firefighters, EMTs and paramedics who show up for us on some of life’s hardest days. It helps ensure they have the training, equipment and resources they need to continue providing the high-quality emergency medical services our community depends on.

Thank you for your trust and confidence. We don’t take it lightly, and we’re committed to being responsible stewards of these public dollars while continuing to provide the dependable emergency response Everett deserves.

Thank you, Everett! ❤️🚒🚑

The full news release is available here: https://www.everettwa.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/4473

07/29/2026

Strong communities are built through partnerships! Programs like Operation Chill are a great example of what happens when local government, businesses and community partners come together around a shared goal.

Thanks to our Everett Police Department, 7-Eleven and regional partners, officers have another opportunity this summer to recognize young people for making safe, positive choices - providing a small reward that can have a big impact!

I also want to mention another great opportunity to strengthen those community connections: National Night Out is back! On Tuesday, Aug. 4 neighborhoods around the city will be hosting fun gatherings and events. Taking time to meet one another and connect with our police officers also helps make Everett an even safer, stronger and more connected community. Learn more by visiting: everettwa.gov/nno

07/10/2026

I was so proud to help cut the ribbon on Everett’s new 737 MAX production line! Boeing and its skilled workforce has a bright future ahead.

07/09/2026

Our small businesses help make Everett vibrant, resilient and unique. As Mayor, I want to hear directly from the people investing in our community in such meaningful ways. That's why we're launching a Small Business Survey.

If you own or operate a small business in Everett, I’d appreciate a few minutes of your time to complete our survey. Your feedback will help us better understand the challenges facing small businesses as well as identify opportunities to improve City services, streamline processes and better support our business community.

I hope you'll take a few moments to share your thoughts.

Take the survey: everettwa.gov/bizsurvey

07/04/2026

The Fourth of July is a time to come together as a community to celebrate our nation’s history, enjoy time with family and friends, and reflect on the ideals that continue to guide us.

As you celebrate today, please remember that personal fireworks are prohibited in Everett. With dry conditions and increased wildfire risk, choosing not to light fireworks helps protect our neighborhoods, our first responders, and one another.

Instead, join us for a safe and memorable celebration at the Colors of Freedom Festival and stay for the Thunder on the Bay fireworks show. You’ll enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, delicious food, and a spectacular professional fireworks display over the bay. And as a reminder: there is not much parking in that area. Consider parking at Everett Community College and taking the free shuttle to Legion Park! Get the full details on visiteverett.com/july4

Everett Police Department will have officers that are just focusing on fireworks calls today. You can report fireworks-related concerns using the non-emergency line (425-407-3999). Be prepared to provide the exact address of your concern.

Whether you’re spending the day with family, friends, or neighbors, I hope you have a safe, joyful, and meaningful Independence Day. Happy Fourth of July, Everett!

06/24/2026

Today, the Everett City Council approved grant funding from Challenge Seattle to support an exciting pilot program to continue our work improving our permitting process.

Everett is proud to partner with Challenge Seattle and GovStream.AI to test innovative technology that can help applicants navigate permit requirements, reduce confusion, and submit more complete applications from the start.

As former Governor & Challenge Seattle CEO Chris Gregoire noted, this partnership is helping demonstrate how innovation and public-private collaboration can make it easier, faster, and more affordable to build and improve homes.

Thank you to Challenge Seattle for investing in local governments and helping us explore new solutions to today’s housing and growth challenges.

View our full statements here: https://www.everettwa.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/4449