EVERETT — Snohomish County Council members walked into a budget meeting Tuesday expecting to discuss a $5 million shortfall in the county’s general fund.

During the meeting, they also learned the county could be in danger of overspending by more than $20 million over two years.

“We have about four departments where we’re facing about a $20 million overage,” council member Sam Low said after the meeting. “On top of being short $5 million in sales tax.”

The first quarter budget report cited the Sheriff’s Office, Corrections, District Courts and the Office of Public Defense as departments that are currently overspending.

Finance Director Nathan Kennedy presented a budget report for the first quarter on Tuesday. Council members received the report only two weeks prior, more than a month

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