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 Happy Friday, Kent!
The 2025 Legislative Session kicked off in Olympia last week, and I wanted to provide you with a bit of background and information on this so you can stay in the know on how we and your legislators will be working to uplift the Kent community.
The City of Kent needs the State to counter the negative impacts to Kent of changes to sales tax sourcing laws.
As you know, the City of Kent is located between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. Dozens of manufacturing and warehousing companies choose to locate in Kent because of its strategic location.
Kent is the largest warehousing distribution center in the State, generates a significant portion of the state's GDP, employs over 250,000 workers, and is the 5th most culturally diverse city in the nation.
In 2008, Washington state changed how it distributed sales tax revenue to cities. Formerly, cities received sales tax revenue on goods shipped FROM the city.
Now, cities receive the sales tax revenue on goods shipped TO the city. Under this new structure, some cities received an increase in revenue. Other cities, including Kent, lost significant revenue. In fact, Kent was referred to by the state as the "biggest loser" of revenue when the decision to implement changes to sales tax sourcing was made.
Kent has suffered the most negative impacts from this because over 30% of its land is for warehousing and industrial industries. That's more commercial and industrial space than Seattle, East King County, and North King County combined.
In most cities, increased online sales have “balanced out” the revenue loss. But that is not the case for Kent.
Due to the State law changes in sales tax sourcing, Kent is only able to generate barely over half of what other like-sized cities generate per capita.
As a result, Kent residents have a reduced quality of life. Meanwhile, the ports', many other cities', and our state's economy benefit.
All of this to say, we’re working hard to secure Kent's fair share of state revenue, and I will continue to keep you updated.
I'd like to thank Rep. Stearns, Sen. Kauffman, Sen. Orwall and Rep. Entenman for taking the lead in the legislature on exploring solutions to this issue.
While this is an important thing to be aware of, there's still a lot happening locally.
I hope you find the rest of this week's update informative and have a great weekend!
Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor
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Last week, I attended the United States Conference of Mayors' annual meeting in Washington D.C. It was incredibly busy and productive few days.
I participated in panels and work sessions on a range of critical topics, including infrastructure, economic development, energy grants, artificial intelligence, the fentanyl crisis, mental health, and addressing homelessness.
It’s always interesting to learn from other cities across the country, exchange ideas, and share the innovative work we’re doing here in Kent on these important issues.
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This month, we celebrate the power of mentoring and the impact it has on both mentors and mentees. Mentors provide guidance, encouragement, and a strong foundation for personal and professional growth, helping our young people achieve their full potential.
Organizations like MENTOR Washington, Glover Empower Mentoring (GEM), Eileen & Callie’s Place, RAP Youth, and Communities in Schools are doing incredible work to support our community by furthering these connections. Their efforts are inspiring brighter futures for individuals and strengthening our community as a whole.
At this week's Kent City Council meeting, I proclaimed January as National Mentoring Month in Kent and encourage everyone to consider becoming a mentor.
To all the mentors and mentoring organizations, thank you for the incredible work you do.
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The Cider and Ale Trail is back with some of the best cideries, breweries and distilleries for a fantastic night of tasting, live music, dining and shopping in historic downtown Kent.
📅 Friday, March 7
⌚ 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
📍 Historic Downtown Kent
Get your tickets now!
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We are now booking Spring and Summer dates for Drinks in the Driveway!
Our program brings city leaders to neighborhood councils/associations to discuss resident issues.
If you want to get on the list, sign up at bit.ly/3VLfKsh.
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Catch the action tonight when the T-Birds take on the Victoria Royals at 7 p.m. at accesso ShoWare Center!
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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 here!
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Kent Parks and Recreation |
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Our Parks team needs your input on the Campus Park Redevelopment project.
Fill out the online survey now at EngageKentParks.com
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Indoor Park is back at the Kent Commons Community Center! On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 9:30-11am, drop by with your little one to experience a traditional playground brought indoors!
No registration is required. Open to all kids 10 months to 4.5 years old. Cost is $2 per visit for the first child and $1 for each additional child. Come by and PLAY!
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Join our Parks team as a certified lifeguard at Lake Meridian Park this summer!
Requirements:
American Red Cross Advanced Lifesaving or Lifeguard Training Certificate, Red Cross standard First Aid certificate, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer certifications.
Apply today at MyKentParks.com/Jobs!
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 Kent 101 is our fun and interactive 8-week civics course that deepens your understanding of local government and how it all works.
This program is perfect for high school students looking for career inspiration, college students who need more experience before joining the work force, working adults who want to have a stronger understanding about government work, or retirees looking to be more involved in their community. Deadline to sign up is February 7.
Learn more and apply on our website at KentWA.gov/Kent101!
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We’re thrilled to launch Sidewalk Sessions—a brand-new way for our Public Works team and me to connect with you directly in your neighborhood!
Public Works is the backbone of our community. From smooth roads and safe sidewalks to reliable utilities, their work keeps Kent running strong. Through Sidewalk Sessions, we’ll visit neighborhoods across the city to share updates, answer your questions, and hear what’s important to you.
This is your chance to learn more about the incredible work happening behind the scenes to maintain and improve Kent’s infrastructure—and how it all impacts your daily life.
Sign up to bring Sidewalk Sessions to your neighborhood!
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The overnight Kent Severe Weather Shelter will be open tonight at 9 p.m. and operate nightly through Sunday, January 26.
📍 Kent Holy Spirit Church (318 3rd Ave S)
📞 253-859-0444
- Shelter will open at 9 p.m.
- Check-in from 9-10 p.m. is preferred
- Doors will close once capacity is reached
- Guests must stay in their assigned locations
- No re-entry upon exit
- Bottled water and pre-packaged snacks will be available
- Guests must vacate the shelter by 7 a.m. each morning
For a list of other daytime public spaces, visit kcrha.org/resources/severe-weather-shelter.
For more information, email Kent Human Services at HumanServices@KentWA.gov.
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The Kent Police Department was selected from hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the country to be featured on the CW television show Police 24/7. Over the past several weeks, videographers from the show have ridden along with Kent PD officers, documenting their daily work and interactions within our community.
The series highlights the challenging and often dangerous work of law enforcement, offering viewers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep our community safe.
We’ll keep you updated on social media about episodes featuring Kent officers—stay tuned!
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 Join Tracy, Josh an Kyle as they update you on the important, fun, and interesting things happening in the City of Kent!
This week on the pod, the team talks to target Zero District 8 manager Sara Hallstead and Transportation Engineering Manager Rob Brown about Target Zero goals and safety plans for 2025. Kimberly Beyheimer and Will Lugo from Puget Sound Fire talk about being Winter Weather ready!
Listen now on:
🔊 Apple Podcasts apple.co/3J2UMkd
🔊 Spotify spoti.fi/3GNCeli
🔊 Amazon Music amzn.to/3jjaOvU
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 International Guitar Night is North America’s premier traveling guitar festival, bringing together the world’s foremost acoustic guitarists!
For International Guitar Night's 25th year, featured guitarists include a favorite and three exciting newcomers. Lulo Reinhardt who is the grandnephew of legendary Django Rainhardt. Lulo plays Latin Swing music, a combination of Gypsy Swing with Latin rhythms. Alexandra Whittingham is a dynamic classical guitarist with a repertoire ranging from the classics to contemporary composers. Niwel Tsumbu has kept his unique Congolese percussive style alive over the past 25 years living in Ireland. Soenke Meinen is a leading contemporary fingerstyle guitarist, mixing the incredible dexterity of his high-speed compositions with sensitive ballads.
Get your tickets for the 2025 Spotlight Series now
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