Lynnwood Council accepts $2.5 million HB 2015 public safety grant after lengthy debate on drones and long-term costs

The Lynnwood City Council voted unanimously July 13 to accept a $2.5 million HB 2015 public safety grant that will fund new programs, two temporary positions and equipment for the Police Department.

Councilmember Lutweiler moved to accept the grant and authorize the mayor to sign the acceptance to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission; Councilmember Parshall seconded the motion. The roll-call vote recorded seven yeses and no opposition.

Why it matters: city leaders said the one-time grant will allow Lynnwood to try new approaches — including social-worker support in custody settings and drone first-responder capabilities — without immediately obligating the city to ongoing general-fund spending. Several councilmembers nonetheless pressed staff for written plans showing how the city might handle operating costs once grant funding ends in 2028.

Deputy Chief Steichen of the Lynnwood Police Department told council the grant is structured to fund the programs for three years, through June 2028, and that any continuing costs afterward would be considered during the council’s regular budget process. Steichen described the department’s plan to track the grant separately (recommended to be Fund 105) and to have finance, police and the Criminal Justice Training Commission audit expenditures.

The grant includes technology purchases and programs that the department said must be “new” rather than supplant existing services. Staff described drones that can deliver payloads such as Narcan and automated external defibrillators to a scene; Steichen clarified the drones can deliver but cannot administer medications. He said the team will evaluate response-time impacts and effectiveness during the grant period.

Councilmembers who supported taking the funding argued that the city could lose the opportunity if it waited. Councilmembers who sought more time asked for additional policy reviews, a public work session on drone deployment, and written assurances about long-term staffing or operating costs before purchases are finalized. Several members emphasized that acceptance of the grant does not automatically commit the council to future general-fund expenditures.

What’s next: staff said they will return with additional briefings and policy discussions, including an opportunity for council to review the drone first-responder program and privacy safeguards before the department deploys new systems. The contract with the state is expected to follow acceptance; implementation steps and purchases will be subject to existing city procurement and oversight processes.

Action details: motion to accept the HB 2015 public safety grant passed on a 7–0 roll-call vote; the council recorded no no-votes or abstentions.