Ellen Collins

At the Everett City Council Budget Hearing for Admin and Finance on May 27, 2026, Ellen Collins, Director of Human Resources, presented the department’s proposed FY2027 budget. She opened by saying, “Good evening, and thank you for having me here tonight,” and identified herself as the director of human resources. She said the department was proposing “a level funded budget, except in two significant areas,” with one major change in personnel.

Collins explained the proposed addition of an “equity and access officer” to round out the HR team. She said the position would serve as the city’s ADA coordinator, describing it as “a critical role” that would ensure Everett’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, oversee equal access to city programs and services, serve as a liaison to departments on ADA compliance, and respond to requests for reasonable accommodations. She also said updated policies were needed “to bring us into compliance,” help staff and managers understand their responsibilities, and improve the workplace. When asked, she confirmed that this policy work did not currently exist.

She also discussed the budget’s professional and technical services line, saying the department was working with a new legal group on a “deep dive” into costs in order to bring them down over the long term. She noted that the department uses professional services for third-party vendors handling administration, advice, workers’ compensation, and unemployment. Collins said fixed costs were affected by employee injuries and OSHA training needs, and that HR expected the current budget to be sufficient for employee benefits and health insurance. She said three bargaining groups were negotiating with the city and that projections for next year were “confident.”

In response to a question about employer-sponsored health insurance, Collins said she was “always open to evaluating any program” and would be happy to look into it and report back. She also said, “I would ask that no cuts be made from the personnel side of the budget,” explaining that the department did not plan to return unused money this year because of outstanding bills and new contracts. She clarified that the budgeted $82,000 for the open position represented the top of the salary range and that the job would be advertised at that range, as required by state law. No votes were recorded for her presentation.