Get To Know Your City Council: Paula Rhyne

Paula Rhyne is a longtime resident of Snohomish County who calls the Port Gardner neighborhood home. She represents District 2 on the Everett City Council, which includes much of what many consider Downtown Everett, extending as far south as Valley View and Pinehurst-Beverly Park.

Councilmember Rhyne co-chairs the council’s Health and Human Services Committee, which focuses on critical policy areas such as housing affordability, homelessness, public health, and emergency management. She is also an active member of the Parks and Quality of Life Committee, helping shape policies related to arts, culture, events, and economic development. In addition, she serves as a council liaison to several important city and regional bodies, including the City’s Historic Commission, the Mayor’s Drug Taskforce, and the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Economic Development District. She will also chair the City’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, which helps determine how local lodging tax revenues are allocated.

Everett Parks and Built Environment Council Committee: March 12, 2025

Beyond her work at the city level, Councilmember Rhyne has been appointed to a third term on the Human Development Committee for the National League of Cities. In this role, she brings the stories and perspectives of Everett residents to the national stage, helping to shape federal policy that affects communities across the country.

Paula’s background in public policy is extensive. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington. Her early experience in government began under then-King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson, who is now the Governor of Washington. She later worked as a legislative aide to Snohomish County Councilmember Megan Dunn and also served as president of the board of directors for the University District Food Bank.

Councilmember Rhyne has developed a reputation for being highly responsive to community input. She frequently raises questions from residents in council meetings, ensuring that public concerns are addressed directly by city administration. Her commitment to transparency and accessibility has helped her foster strong relationships with the people she represents.

To learn more about Councilmember Rhyne’s priorities and accomplishments in her own words, visit her campaign page: paula4everett.com/issues. All 5 of the district council seats are up for election again this fall.