MARYSVILLE – Residents surrounding the Qwuloolt estuary get a little uneasy during hunting season when they hear shotgun blasts going off nearby.
Some have complained to the city for years.
The City Council possibly will come to their rescue tonight as it looks at a new law that would ban such shooting.
City code does not prohibit the discharge of firearms within city limits, except in a place where any person might be endangered.
Three of Marysville’s closest neighbors ban the discharge of firearms within their limits: Arlington, Lake Stevens and Stanwood.
The resolution says, in part:
•The discharge of firearms poses a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals or property will be jeopardized;
•The discharge of firearms in parks or open space are inconsistent with the recreational uses for which these spaces are intended.
The council also will discuss a measure that Snohomish County plans to put on the Aug. 2 ballot. The measure would ask voters for approval of a two-tenth of one percent sales and use tax for funding criminal justice. The tax would be 20 cents for every $100 spent.
If the county and city adopt an ordinance for such a tax, the total rate cannot exceed three-tenths of one percent. Marysville will discuss if it wants to piggyback on the county idea to receive funds for its own needs.
For the county tax, it would keep 60 percent of money raised and share 40 percent with all of its cities. If Marysville passes it own tax, it would receive 85 percent of the funds. Marysville would get 10 cents per $100 spent exclusively for criminal justice and fire protection purposes.
The resolution says, in part:
•The Snohomish County Council has determined that the increasing cost of criminal justice and fire protection services cannot be sustained within current resources;
•Citizens have clearly indicated that criminal justice and fire protection services are critical priorities;
•Criminal justice and fire protection services within the county will face significant reductions without additional resources.
Deadline for submitting a resolution to the county auditor is May 13.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
