ARLINGTON – The City Council discussed funding for the Snohomish Regional Drug and Gang Task Force at its work session Monday.

“The $6,000 is well worth the help it provides,” Councilwoman Jesica Stickles said.

Deputy Chief Dan Cone said the city has been a longtime member of the task force, and the city “gets a lot out of it to combat the drug epidemic.”

He said federal funds provides a portion of the cost, and that the task force is looking into abatement for other funds.

Currently, the 20 cities in the county provide $251,000 of the cost, with federal grants paying the other $133,000. Arlington’s portion is $6,148,

The agreement allows the jurisdictions to coordinate selected law enforcement activities, resources and functions in order to disrupt and remove illegal drug trafficking systems through a cooperative program of investigation, prosecution and asset forfeiture.

Mayor Barbara Tolbert added, “It’s not just enforcement, but education, too.”

Also at the meeting, Angie Sievers talked about the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.

She explained that the group isn’t just interested in building houses. It is also concerned about affordable housing and the homeless, which increased 19 percent last year, she said. She also said the group advocates for housing with governments at all levels, along with offering health insurance.

Arlington has been part of some of its programs, such as the rampathon.

But it also offers programs such as volunteer painting.

MBA also is involved in job training. “During the recession, our workforce went away,” she said, adding it’s about 50 percent of what is needed.

Sievers talked about the population forecast for the region being much more than the employment forecast so communities need to form plans, such as living closer to work.

She said housing can help the economy, but that strict regulations are slowing progress, adding as much as 25 percent to the cost of a home.

In other council news:

•Fire Chief Bruce Stedman said he wants to sell an old fire engine. But the fire department plans to hang on to an old ladder truck because it could be needed in the future, depending on discussions of a Regional Fire Authority with the city of Marysville.

•City leaders talked about the many people who participated in the National Night Out Against Crime as the city held events at 12 locations.

Councilwoman Debora Nelson said police officers had encouraged people to come and that interaction made all the difference in the world.