SMOKEY POINT — The independently elected Snohomish County prosecuting attorney, clerk, sheriff, assessor, treasurer and auditor are rolling up their sleeves to tackle the budget challenges facing the county due to the uncertain economy.

To that end, County Clerk Sonya Kraski joined County Council members John Koster, Brian Sullivan and Dave Gossett at a Sept. 4 meeting at the Stillaguamish Senior Center to take input.

Input focused largely on the health department and mental health issues, including RN Laura Hoffman’s encouragement for support of long-term care and assistance to seniors. Donna Jolsoe and Barb Sheets spoke on the importance of the service of the Snohomish County Health Department.

Two others, Duane Weston and Bill Blake, spoke on behalf of the environment.

“While health, transportation and police are of course very important, we also need to support all the important work of the Snohomish Conservation District,” Weston said.

Blake spoke for the causes which can’t speak for themselves.

“I hope you will support conservation and the preservation of agriculture, especially those programs that can be leveraged into more dollars through the state and federal governments.

“I encourage you to make existing programs more efficient and to cut a little bit from all programs rather than cutting total programs,” Blake said.

He mentioned the prisoner work release program that was recently cut by the county.

“The prisoners learn important skills while providing valuable services to the community,” Blake said

“This budget cycle will be a difficult time for all departments and programs,” said County Treasurer Kirke Sievers.