At the first meeting of 2026 for the City Council in Everett, Washington the Mayor, five District City Council members and the new Police Chief all took their oath of office. Cassie Franklin is starting her third term as Mayor. Erica Weir is serving her first term on the City Council in District 1. Also joining for a first term is Luis Burbano in District 4. Re-elected City Council members taking their oath were Paula Rhyne in District 2, Don Schwab in District 3 and Ben Zarlingo in District 5. In unanimous, uncontested votes, Don Schwab was voted Everett City Council President and Paula Rhyne Vice-President. (Judy Tuohy and Scott Bader, the two at-large members of the Council were not up for election on last November’s ballot).
Robert Goetz also took the oath of office as Everett Police Chief. He’s been with EPD for more than 30 years and was selected by Mayor Franklin to succeed John DeRousse following his retirement at the end of 2025.