SEATTLE—Snohomish County Councilmember Dave Somers has been named Vice Chair of the Growth Management Policy Board of the Puget Sound Regional Council.
"I'm delighted Dave has agreed to take on this regional leadership role," said Kitsap County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido, who chairs the board. "He brings a wealth of understanding on workable ways to shape the region's growth. He also represents a growing part of the region where these issues are being sorted out in new and innovative ways."
The Growth Management Policy Board includes representatives of the region's counties, cities and towns, as well as regional business, labor, civic and environmental groups. The board meets monthly to make recommendations on key growth management issues. One key focus this year is the update of the region's Metropolitan Transportation Plan, which serves as a blueprint for transportation through the year 2030 and guides the region's investments in transportation projects.
"Snohomish County, and especially the part of the county I represent, is a major force in shaping the region's growth," said Somers. "To succeed, we need regional policies that support the decisions we make locally. And we can learn from what's working in other parts of the region."
Somers represents the 5th County Council District in the southeastern portion of the county, including the cities of Snohomish, Monroe, Sultan, Gold Bar, Index and portions of Lake Stevens and Bothell.
The Regional Council develops policies and coordinates decisions about regional growth and transportation planning in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. The Council is composed of over 80 county, city, port, transit, tribal and state agencies serving the region. It receives about $100 million in federal transportation funds each year and coordinates, sets priorities and evaluates the most efficient ways to target those tax dollars to improve the region's transportation systems and keep pace with growth.