2024 Budget Proposed
 Happy Friday Kent!
This week we continued our 2023-2024 Biennial Budget process with staff presentations and discussion at our council meetings.
The council will spend the next several weeks going through the proposal and will have the opportunity to make suggestions and changes.
Council will vote on the final passage of the budget in November. You can see my full letter to the council on our website.
I'm looking forward to continued conversation about the budget so we can ensure it meets the needs of the Kent community.
Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor
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We're closing out the week strong by celebrating the beginning of hockey season!
Today we raised the Thunderbirds flag at Kent City Hall with Head Coach Matt O'Dette, a few of their players, and members of the community.
It was so great to see them as we hoisted up the flag and I couldn't be more proud that the T-Birds call Kent home.
They had an amazing season last year and there's a lot of excitement heading into their home opener tomorrow!
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Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Kent Chamber of Commerce 75th Anniversary President's Gala at Green River College! The chamber does such great work supporting our local businesses. |
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Welcome to Kent FinFit Life. They are an amazing company that prioritizes health and wealth. Thank you Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce for the invitation to be a part of the celebration. |
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King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer's monthly "Good Eggs" breakfasts are always educational.
This month's guest Brent Beardall was so inspirational. Brent is the President and CEO of WaFd. He spoke about how he survived a tragic plane crash and mixed his economic projections with the personal lessons he learned from the crash and his own incredible rehabilitation.
Pictured here (left to right) King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, President/CEO WaFd, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, myself and Auburn Councilmember Larry Brown.
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The RASKC animal shelter is over capacity! They need your help to find furever homes for dogs of all sizes. All month, it's just $50 to adopt an adult dog. You can learn more at their website. |
Team Up 2 Clean Up
Join us for our Fall Litter Cleanup on the East Hill, West Hill and Downtown!
Each spring and fall the City of Kent hosts a litter cleanup event where community members can come out and volunteer to beautify Kent as individuals or in teams at various locations around the city. Learn more and sign-up online!
📅 Tomorrow
⏰ 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
📍 Kent United Methodist Church, Kherson Park, West Hill Plaza
New Kent Police Officers
 I wanted to welcome and introduce some new Kent Police Officers!
Last week, we swore three more officers into duty.
Officer Hans was born and raised in Kent. He is a UW grad, and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. He is the son of immigrant parents from the Punjab region of India and is very connected to his Sikh faith and culture.
Officer Toledo-Blanco was raised in Wenatchee, and recently moved here where some of his family resides. He is a running start and Central Washington University graduate where he earned a Bachelors degree in Law and Justice.
Officer Dzuck was raised in Centralia and earned his AA in Criminal Justice from Centralia College. Before applying for KPD, he worked was a Commercial Service Manager, salesman and Service Advisor for cars and oversized equipment including airplanes and mining gear.
A big welcome to our 3 newest Officers.
Haunted Boo-levard
Put on your best costume and join us for a free spook-tacular trick or treating event! Kids can trick or treat around Kent Station at participating businesses, then stroll down Ramsay Way for a trunk or treat!
Be sure to vote for your favorite decorated trunk and stick around for dinner! If you want to sign up or learn how you can volunteer visit KentStation.com
📅 Tuesday,October 31
⏱ 4:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
📍 Kent Station
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Grab your most creative costumes and head to downtown Kent for the 5th Annual Street of Treats Autumn Fest!
📅 Saturday, October 28
⌚ 2 - 5 p.m.
📍 302 W Meeker St
Participating businesses will be welcoming visitors to stop in for Spooktacular treats. (Teal pumpkin friendly too!) Please support the Kent Food Bank by bringing a non-perishable food donation. Register online here.
There will also be a costume contest, kid’s activities, photo opportunities, and clowning around with Boy Scout Troop #480, Allegro Dance Academy, Sound Transit, Zero & Somebuddy, Kent Police Department and more!
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Coca-Cola Scholarship program
Coca-Cola is looking for 150 incredible high school seniors to join their 36th class of Coca-Cola Scholars! Here's more information on how to apply.
This is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.
The foundation has provided over 6,750 Coca-Cola Scholars with more than $81 million in educational support.
150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship. The deadline to apply is Monday, October 2, 2023, 5 p.m. EST.
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Fall is here and the rain is back! Here's some quick tips for reducing localized flooding in your neighborhood.
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Recycling Collection Event
Have items that need to be recycled? Come out to our Fall Residential Recycling event! For a full list of accepted items, visit our website at KentWa.gov/Recycle
📅 Saturday, October 14
🕐 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
📍 Hogan Park, 24400 Russell Road
Garrison Creek Park
 Several of you have voiced your opinion about our Garrison Creek Park improvement project.
Throughout the duration of this project, staff will work to find a solution to long-standing court surfacing issues that are unique to this joint Parks-Public Works facility. Plus, we want to optimize the park so that it supports how YOU want to play, recreate, and enjoy Garrison Creek.
I encourage you to visit EngageKentParks.com and take the project survey to provide your input until October 5.
Plus, register for project updates to stay in-the-know!
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Fall weather has returned! Beat those cold, rainy mornings with Indoor Park at the Kent Commons Community Center.
The program starts this Tuesday and runs Tuesday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m -11 a.m.
Open to all kids 10 months to 4.5 years of age.
Call the Kent Commons at 253-856-5100 for more details.
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When children play sports, we ALL win! Research shows participation in youth sports help students thrive in school, improve children’s mental health, and provide opportunities to develop social skills. Register your child for a Kent Parks program today!
Registration for Youth Winter Basketball is open for students in grades K-12.
Register now at MyKentParks.com/Register
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Fall Conservation Events
Community members of all ages are welcome to join the conservation efforts here in Kent and volunteer to help keep our parks and natural areas healthy and thriving.
This is also a great way for students to get valuable experience and complete community service hours!
At each event, volunteers will work alongside Kent Parks staff to help clear invasive species, mulch, or plants.
FALL EVENTS:
- ReLEAF, October 7
- Orca Recovery Day (held in partnership with Green River Coalition), October 14
- Arbor Day, November 4
Register online to volunteer at MyKentParks.com/VolunteerEvents.
Spotlight Series
I'm so excited that our first Spotlight Series performance of the season is less than a month away! See the incredible line up and buy your tickets here.
The Vienna Boys Choir will take the stage at the Kentwood Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, October 17. This group of gifted child musicians has been delighting music lovers across the globe for six centuries – it will be a beautiful night of music you don’t want to miss! Tickets are now on sale for this show, and all other performances of the 2023-2024 Spotlight Series!
Seeking Vendors
We are now accepting new vendor applications for the 2023 Holiday Craft Market!
📍 Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E Smith St
🗓️ Friday, November 3 & Saturday, November 4
⏰ Friday: 9am-5pm, Saturday: 9am-4pm
Submit your application or learn more at MyKentParks.com/HolidayCraftMarket.
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The Friends of the Kent Libraries group is having a pop-up book sale in the Kent Library Saturday October 7.
There will be gardening and other special feature books, along with fiction, non-fiction and children’s books.
Stop by and check it out!
📅 Saturday, October 7
⏲ 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
📍 Kent Library
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We're HIRING! Check out our featured jobs and great opportunities on our hiring page at Jobs.KentWA.gov!
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Applications are now being accepted for the city's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Board. The goal of the board is to increase engagement, integration and access to city services for all cultural communities in Kent.
You can learn about the city's work in these areas and the Equity Strategic Plan at KentWA.gov/Race-Equity, and apply to be on the board.
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Get your furry friends licensed with Regional Animal Services of King County to help get them back to you if they're ever lost!
Your license also helps fund RASKC's life-saving animal shelter work. They reunite lost pets 24/7 and provide shelter pet care 365 days a year.
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The KentWorks app lets you access information and improve your neighborhood and community by reporting non-emergency issues to the city.
You can request a service, report a problem and find information about the City of Kent all from your mobile device in just a few taps! KentWA.gov/Kentworks
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Don't forget to check out the new episode of the KentNOW podcast! Tracy, Josh and Kyle talk to Seattle Thunderbirds Mekai Sanders and Sam Popowich about the upcoming season.
Listen to new and previous episodes on:
🔊 Apple Podcasts apple.co/3J2UMkd
🔊 Spotify spoti.fi/3GNCeli
🔊 Amazon Music amzn.to/3jjaOvU
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Translations
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