Mayor Cassie Franklin

10/14/2026

It was a pleasure to join mayors from across the country last week in New Mexico for the U.S. Conference of Mayors Game Changer Program! This national program brings mayors together to share ideas and explore innovative ways to drive economic development, attract investment and create new opportunities for our communities.

I had the opportunity to present on Everett’s Outdoor Event Center project, sharing our vision for this exciting investment, the opportunities it will create for our community and some of the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Everett has a lot to be proud of, and I always appreciate opportunities to share the great work happening in our city while learning from other communities pursuing bold investments of their own.

As we continue working to grow Everett’s economy, support local businesses and create places that bring people together, these conversations and connections are incredibly valuable.

10/09/2026

In recognition of , we asked our amazing high school interns to share about how they take care of their mental health. I’m so appreciative of their thoughtful, honest answers and their willingness to share what works for them. ❤️

There are so many ways we can support our mental health, like spending time with people we love, getting outside, finding a creative outlet or simply taking a break when we need one.

And sometimes, we need a little extra support. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for help! Mental health is just as important as physical health, and none of us should feel like we have to navigate challenges alone.

There are some wonderful resources available, including:
💚 NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Mental health education, resources and support at nami.org
💚 HearMeWA: A free, confidential resource for Washington youth to share concerns about their mental health, safety or well-being and get connected with support. Visit hearmewa.org

Thank you to our youth interns for helping start these important conversations and reminding us that taking care of our mental health looks different for everyone!

10/06/2026

Connect Casino Road does incredible work supporting families, strengthening community connections and helping make Casino Road a place where everyone can thrive. They’re a finalist for BECU's People Helping People Awards, with an opportunity to receive $40,000 to reinvest right back into this important work.

If you’ve seen the impact Connect Casino Road has in our community, I hope you’ll consider casting a vote and helping spread the word. It’s a simple way to show support for an organization doing amazing work for Everett families every day.

Voting is open through Oct. 16. 💙: https://www.becu.org/members-matter/community-involvement/people-helping-people

And to learn a little more about CCR, check out this great video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj-M7t2FaNM&t=1s

Congratulations to all our 2025 People Helping People Award recipients!

10/05/2026

Want to make a difference in Everett? There’s still time to apply to serve on one of our boards or commissions!

Your lived experiences, passions and opinions matter. Our boards and commissions bring community voices into City decision-making and help shape the future of Everett.

Whether you’re passionate about parks, neighborhoods, the arts, transportation, planning or other issues that affect our community, I hope you’ll consider getting involved.

Applications are open through October 15. You don’t have to be an expert; you just need to care about Everett and want to help make it an even better place to live, work and visit.

Learn more and apply: everettwa.gov/boards

09/30/2026

Today, we brought Council the Everett Forward B&O tax reform package for consideration, which would help us exempt nearly 70% of Everett businesses from paying B&O tax, lower the business tax rate for retail and restaurants and create opportunities to reinvest in economic development. I was so proud to see local business owners and community leaders come to today's meeting to show their support for this plan.

Our team crafted this proposal based on the feedback we've heard directly from our business community. Above and beyond our normal outreach throughout the year, we connected with 110 businesses through our survey, roundtables and business visits. They told us about rising costs, the need for more business support and investment in our commercial areas, and the importance of bringing more customers to Everett.

Everett Forward responds by significantly expanding small-business relief. In addition to exempting nearly 70% of Everett businesses from B&O tax, it would lower the B&O rate for retailers and restaurants and eliminate business license fees for our smallest businesses.

At the same time, the proposal would generate new resources to make it easier to do business with the City, strengthen our commercial districts and invest in projects that bring more people and economic activity to Everett.

I’m grateful to everyone who shared their time and perspective with us. We listened, and this proposal reflects what we heard.

Learn more: everettwa.gov/everettforward

09/29/2026

I'm excited to see John Carswell, owner of APEX Everett, stepping up to put together a local ownership group for Everett's own USL team. And after the strong showing at our Waterfront Watch Parties this summer for the Men's World Cup, it's clear that Everett is ready for soccer!

John has brought new energy to our city with the transformation of the former Club Broadway into APEX Everett - now a local and regional destination for arts, culture, entertainment and dining. I'm glad to see that same passion for Everett now leading the effort to bring a soccer team to our city.

Check out this great video about John by the Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce: https://youtu.be/1BuaDDBsXoY?si=LFK2-I2pZgPNX2pe

Learn more: https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/09/28/apex-everett-john-carswell-usl-fred-rivera-aquasox.html

Fine dining meets street art in downtown Everett, Washington. Meet ...

09/23/2026

Big step forward for public transit in Everett today! I was proud to join Ric Ilgenfritz, CEO of Community Transit, to share the proposed interlocal agreement that lays out how Everett Transit and Community Transit could come together as one stronger, more connected regional transit system.

This has been years in the making, and I’m excited about what it will mean for Everett and our region:
🚍more frequent service
🚍better regional connections
🚍expanded service throughout the day and into the evening,
🚍protects existing service and our staff, and
🚍creating a transit network that is ready to support our growing city - and the future arrival of light rail.

I’m also incredibly proud of the work that has gone into making sure this proposal protects the transit services our community relies on and reflects what we heard from riders, employees and community members throughout this process.

And we haven’t done this alone. I’m so appreciative of the strong regional partners who joined us today, including representatives from the Snohomish County Executive’s Office, Transportation Choices Coalition and Snotrac, as well as our partners at Community Transit. Building the transportation system our community needs for the future will take all of us working together!

There is still more work ahead, with the proposal now moving through the public process and consideration by the Everett City Council and Community Transit Board.

I’m happy to reach this important milestone, proud of the partnership that got us here and excited for everything to come.

Learn more: everettwa.gov/transitconsolidation

09/16/2026

On Monday, I was proud to stand with public- and private-sector leaders from across our region to launch the Partnership for a Competitive Puget Sound.

Our message is clear: Puget Sound is open for business - and we’re working together to keep it that way!

In Everett, we know that when our businesses thrive, our community thrives. We’re home to world-class aerospace and advanced manufacturing, a growing clean energy sector, Naval Station Everett, the Port of Everett, a strong health care sector and small businesses that are the heart and soul of our neighborhoods and downtown. But we can’t take that economic strength for granted.

I’ve been talking directly with Everett businesses about what they need from us and the message is clear: make it easier to do business, invest in the things that help our economy grow and find ways to reduce costs and barriers.

That’s exactly the kind of work this regional partnership is about.

Keeping Everett and the Puget Sound competitive will take all of us: cities, businesses, labor, education and community partners. I’m proud Everett is at the table and helping lead the way.

A big thank you to Gov. Gregoire, CEO of Challenge Seattle, for her leadership and for bringing us together at this crucial time. And I'd also like to express my appreciation for my fellow elected officials, labor leaders, local businesses and economic development organizations that are taking part in this effort!

Learn more by visiting: challengeseattle.com/partnership-for-a-competitive-puget-sound

09/13/2026

Larry O’Donnell dedicated his life to the community he loved: supporting our schools and students, preserving Everett’s history and giving back in countless ways. He truly lived the words of the Everett High alma mater: an Everett man born and an Everett man till he died.

I’m grateful for Larry’s lifetime of service and proud to honor the lasting legacy he leaves in Everett by proclaiming Sept. 12 Lawrence E. “Larry” O’Donnell Day in Everett 💙💛

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago, on a clear September morning, our country experienced a tragedy that forever changed us.

Today, we remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. We honor the first responders who ran toward danger, the service members and families who sacrificed in the years that followed, and all those who continue to serve today.

As part of the 25th anniversary, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum is asking communities across the country to Remember the Sky — to look up, take a photo and reflect on that day and the unity, resilience, hope and service that followed.

Here in Everett, we’ll also come together tonight for the Monumental Talks 9/11 Remembrance Event at the Everett Civic Auditorium. This year’s theme, The Visible and Invisible Cost of Freedom, reminds us that some sacrifices are witnessed by the world, while others are carried quietly for years.

As we mark 25 years, I hope we remember not only what happened that day, but how people came together afterward, looking out for their neighbors and stepping forward to help.

May we carry that spirit forward as one more way we honor those we lost.