2025 Election Features: Alan Rubio for District 4 Representative

With the filing deadline just days away we are kicking off our series featuring candidates running in the 2025 election for Everett city council and mayor. We are asking each candidate to share their thoughts on four hot topics that affect Everett residents and want to help the public get informed and involved in the election before they are opening their pamphlets for the primaries in a few months.

As of publishing, Alan Rubio is running against another newcomer, Luis M. Burbano, for the district 4 council seat.

Public Safety & Police Staffing: What specific steps would you take to improve public safety in Everett? How do you plan to address the 20+ open positions on the police force and ensure the department is adequately staffed?

Public safety is a top priority for me. Every Everett resident deserves to feel safe in their home and neighborhood. To improve safety, I support fully staffing the Everett Police Department and giving officers the tools and support they need.

The 20+ vacancies reflect a serious recruitment and retention issue. I’ll work with city leadership and the police guild to streamline hiring, offer competitive incentives, and retain experienced officers. I’ll also support efforts to improve working conditions and morale within the department.

Finally, I believe in proactive policing—high visibility, strong community relationships, and accountability. A safe Everett starts with a strong, supported, and trusted police force.

Homelessness Crisis: What policies or initiatives do you believe the city should implement to improve housing stability and address root causes of homelessness?

We need a balanced approach to homelessness—one that addresses root causes like mental health, addiction, and economic hardship while also keeping our public spaces safe and accessible.

I support expanding partnerships with nonprofits, churches, and service providers that offer shelter, recovery programs, and job training. We should also streamline the approval process for housing projects that help working families and vulnerable individuals—without changing the character of our neighbourhoods.

Everyone deserves compassion, but we also need clear expectations. Public spaces should be safe for everyone, and when help is offered, we need people to engage. Accountability and support must go hand in hand if we want lasting solutions

City Budget & Revenue: Given Everett’s budget deficit, what alternative revenue sources would you explore to increase city funding without relying on property tax hikes for residents?

Everett residents have been clear: no more taxes. I will uphold that. We must focus on smarter spending and prioritizing essential services.

I support generating new revenue through economic growth—bringing in businesses that expand our tax base without raising rates. We should also explore public-private partnerships and targeted user fees for underused services.

I’ll also push for a full performance audit of city programs to identify inefficiencies and streamline operations. With the right leadership, Everett can balance its budget without putting more pressure on residents.

Bright Spots & Future Vision: What excites you most about Everett’s future? Are there any projects, initiatives, or developments that you believe will have a particularly positive impact on the community?

What excites me most about Everett’s future is the opportunity to shape a city that works for everyone—where families feel safe, businesses thrive, and residents take pride in their community.

We have a strong foundation: a strategic location, a skilled workforce, and people who care deeply about this city. I’m especially encouraged by efforts to revitalize downtown, support small businesses, and improve our shared spaces.

One initiative I’m passionate about is creating an iconic monument to give Everett a stronger visual identity and attract both visitors and investment. This project would come at no cost to taxpayers, funded entirely by the private sector—and only after we’ve addressed our top priorities like public safety and housing.

With the right leadership, I believe Everett can become one of the most livable, dynamic cities in the region.