Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson is the new president of the Puget Sound Regional Council after the governing body’s general assembly unanimously elected her.

“Regional collaboration is more important than ever as PSRC works to create a Regional Safety Plan and digs into (making) meaningful progress to combat climate change through convening, fostering learning and cooperation across our counties, cities, and towns and providing critical technical assistance,” Erickson says in a statement.

Outgoing president and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci highlighted achievements during the last of her two-year term, including: receiving a Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant from the US Department of Transportation to create a Regional Safety Plan; providing guidance on regional housing policy through analysis of state legislative proposals; and continuing development of a Regional Equity Strategy to work toward eliminating structural and institutional racism, a news release states.

PSRC’s mission is to advance solutions to achieve a thriving, racially equitable and sustainable central Puget Sound region through leadership, visionary planning and collaboration, per the release. PSRC is made up of nearly 100 members in Kitsap, King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.