City of Everett
Overview
Everett's FY2026 operating plan balances at $299.7M, backed by approximately $139.3M in state aid and nearly $29.0M in host-agreement revenue. A new mayor emphasizes budget transparency and modernization, with explicit capital and technology allocations in public safety, IT, and HR. Starbridge assigns a 73/100 score, reflecting fiscal scale tempered by rising fixed costs.
Budget Analysis
State aid ($139.3M) and host-agreement revenue ($29.0M) provide meaningful recurring capacity. Rising fixed costs — up 11% year-over-year with a 24% increase in employee health insurance — constrain discretionary spend, but about $57.6M of excess levy capacity remains available for future use.
Capital Projects
Explicit technology allocations include fire CAD and reporting software, IT system replacements, and AI-enabled recruiting software. These signal targeted willingness to fund projects across public safety, IT, and HR departments.
Procurement Outlook
CAD, reporting software, IT replacement, and HR tech vendors match the city's identified priorities. The new mayor's emphasis on budget transparency and superior budget tools is a positive signal — Everett is investing selectively in modernization where operational value is demonstrable.