In a move that underscores the power of policy change to impact local communities, Snohomish County has recently donated surplus vehicles to three non-profits, marking a significant departure from the former methods of dealing with county-owned surplus. According to Snohomish County's announcement, the Washington West African Center, Holman Recovery Center, and North Counties’ Family Services each welcomed a vehicle part of this inaugural effort under new regulations.
The Snohomish County Council revised its policy in October 2023 to permit the donation of county-owned vehicles that have reached the end of their service life. Previously, standard procedure allowed such vehicles, which were considered to have reached the end of their useful life, to be auctioned or recycled, but donation was not an option. "I’m proud to champion this program to help support the work nonprofits do every day," Council Vice Chair Megan Dunn expressed, per Snohomish County. "We know there are transportation barriers for nonprofit service providers and their clients," she added, underlying the significance of this initiative.
Recipient organizations must have concrete plans for the use of the vehicles in transporting low-income individuals and those with disabilities, or in the delivery of goods and services supporting these groups. This requirement comes as part of the vehicle donation agreement with the county. Chosen by a collaborative effort between the county’s Facilities and Fleet Department and the Human Services Department, the Washington West African Center received a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, while Holman Recovery Center and North Counties’ Family Services each received a 2017 Ford Fusion.
The county's decision not only provides essential resources to organizations directly serving the community, but it also presents a more sustainable option when decommissioning vehicles still in good working order. County Executive Dave Somers highlighted the framework that facilitated this transition, "The vehicle donation program allows county government to provide another resource for community partners, and it also allows a more sustainable option when it’s time to surplus a vehicle that is in good working order." Nonprofits that meet certain criteria related to transportation support can apply for this program anytime through the county's dedicated online portal, as cited by Snohomish County.
