Fighting for the Health and Safety of Our Communities!
March 2025
Dear Friend,
You may have heard that the King County Sheriff’s Office recently announced its intention to reduce minimum staffing in its north and southeast precincts due to budget constraints.
The north precinct serves virtually all unincorporated areas in our District and has contracts to serve the cities of Sammamish, Woodinville, Carnation, and Skykomish.
Reductions would mean that officers in unincorporated areas would be moved to those cities with current contracts. While this is good for the cities involved, it means that fewer officers would be available to respond to emergencies in our unincorporated communities, increasing response times.
We on the King County Council were proactive in making sure we funded the Sheriff’s Office services through our 2025 budget. While we anticipated a budget deficit for 2026-2027, we were clear that our budget would empower the Sheriff’s Office maintain current services through 2025.
As such, it is unacceptable to reduce service in our already underserved unincorporated areas under our Council-approved 2025 budget. It is the responsibility of the executive branch, and all its entities, to uphold the budget priorities we outlined. I have made this very clear to Executive Constantine and Sheriff Cole-Tindall, and I will continue to fight to have this service restored.
We are facing $75 million shortfalls out of King County’s $400 million General Fund budget in 2026 and 2027. This is going to be a financial challenge for every single one of our communities, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the Great Depression.
I am dedicated to both upholding our commitment to our public safety investments and fighting for our human service providers in negotiations for the 2026-2027 budget this fall. Safe and Healthy Communities is the number one priority for our District 3 residents, and I will use my voice and my vote to minimize negative outcomes as much as possible.
Please feel free to reach out to me or to the King County Sheriff’s Office at sheriff@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-4155 with your thoughts and concerns.
And as always, if you’d like to meet or talk about anything, reach out by email, sarah.perry@kingcounty.gov, or phone at 206-477-1003, and we’ll find some time to connect.
All the best,
Council Briefings & Actions!
 Council has been working hard this month! Here is some of the work that you have shared that matters most to you:
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Roads Briefing: In the Local Services and Land Use Committee, we heard a briefing about the critical status of our unincorporated roads and bridge infrastructure. As committee chair, I spoke about the severity of this issue in D3 and the importance of addressing the declining state of the infrastructure our unincorporated residents rely on. My colleagues and I are working on an important step to help address this issue. More to come – stay tuned!
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Public Transit: We passed the East Link Connections Restructure ordinance! This piece of legislation, which I co-sponsored, will restructure King County Metro Transit routes to the Eastside to prepare for the full opening of the Eastlink light rail in Redmond in late 2025 or early 2026. This will allow us to maximize our transportation resources, rerouting bus lines deeper into our district, and provide public transit access to many more residents!
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Environment: In the Local Services and Land Use Committee, we solidified a timeline for reviewing and updating the many components of our county’s Critical Areas Ordinance, which protects public health and safety by limiting development in hazard areas, like steep slopes and flood zones, and preserves environmentally critical areas!
If you are interested in joining us for a meeting to make a comment or just listen in, click on any of the following links: Full Council; Flood Control District; Local Services and Land Use; Budget and Fiscal Management; Committee of the Whole; Government Accountability and Oversight; Employment and Administration; Transportation, Economy, and Environment.
Women’s History Month Celebration!
 This month, I had the honor of celebrating Women’s History Month with the rest of the King County Council!
Every year, the Council hosts a celebration recognizing the remarkable contributions of women throughout history, and in the present. The theme for this year was Moving Forward Together: Women Educating and Inspiring Generations, and it was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the collective strength and impact of women dedicated to education, mentorship, and leadership.
I collaborated with fellow councilwomen Claudia Balducci and Teresa Mosqueda to bring together a panel of amazing women who contribute their valuable knowledge, instinct, drive, compassionate, and leadership to our communities every day.
Thank you, Andrea Anderson from Girl Scouts of Western Washington, Laura Clise from Intentionalist, Dr. Lauri Conner from Lake Washington Girls Middle School, and Safiya Karmy-Jones from the UW Alene Moris Women’s Center, for sharing your valuable perspectives at this year’s panel!
And congratulations, Angie Hinojos, on receiving the second annual Jeanne Kohl-Welles Women Uplifting Women Award!
Angie is a public artist and community organizer. She is a District 3 representative on our county’s 4Culture board and the executive director and co-founder of Centro Cultural Mexicano in Redmond. It was truly an honor to recognize Angie Hinojos and the invaluable contributions she has made to our D3 communities and all of King County!
 I want to extend my congratulations to chaplain Patti Yetneberk and everyone involved with the Snoqualmie Valley Healing Center on their official grand opening!
The Snoqualmie Valley Healing Center has turned their space next to Life Community Church in the City of Snoqualmie into a warm, welcoming place that provides wellness and mental health resources, spiritual guidance and much-needed hygiene and laundry facilities to people throughout the Snoqualmie Valley.
SVHC is also partnering with another fantastic local nonprofit, CarePoint Clinic, to host CarePoint’s free mobile primary care clinic on site once a month.
This new center will not only increase critical services for those in need, but will foster kindness, dignity, and respect for all our community members. I’m honored to support SVHC in their vision of community healing and personal growth!
As your King County Councilmember, I want to make sure that you have access to all the funding opportunities possible through our office! It is through voter-approved levies that we have the opportunity to provide support to our ten cities - and two towns - and the non-profit organizations within them that meet the needs of our community members. It is an honor to be able to support innovative ideas to ensure that our communities thrive now and in the future.
This year, I will be awarding grants of $2,500, $5,000, $10,000 and more through Community Service, Veterans Service, Housing Stability, Get Active-Stay Active, and Food Security grants! Applications are due by Wednesday, April 30 @ 11:59 p.m.
For more information, please check out the grant application or email Alison.Smith@kingcounty.gov. And if you know any amazing D3 organizations in need of funding, please share this opportunity with them!
I’m glad to share that King County’s Department of Community and Human Services is calling for new project proposals to support our county’s student veterans and their families!
Proposed projects will receive funding through our Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services (VSHS) Levy. The projects should provide financial assistance and holistic support for King County veterans and their family members enrolled in post-secondary programs, including, but not limited to, colleges, universities, and trade schools.
Project proposals are due Wednesday, April 16. For more information, you can find the application webpage here. Please share this opportunity with any individuals or organizations you know who work to support our veterans!
For other grant opportunities, subscribe to our monthly grants newsletter!
On the Issues!
On the Topic of Infrastructure & Environment
King County Flood District Repair Projects: I’m pleased to share that, later this year, the King County Flood Control District will begin a major project to repair damage to the Stossel Bridge Right Bank Revetment near Carnation.
This repair project is critical to ensuring the safety and stability of our local infrastructure, while protecting and preserving clean water and salmon habitat. By addressing erosion now, we are not only protecting the sole access road for Carnation residents but also preserving the natural habitat of the Snoqualmie River.
This investment reflects my commitment as Vice Chair of the King County Flood Control District to ensuring the resiliency of our communities and protecting our environment and natural resources.
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On the Topic of Small Businesses & Farms
Farm Sustainability Roundtable: The first week of March, I convened a meeting with farmers and farm organizations located in the Agricultural Production District of the Snoqualmie and Sammamish Valleys to talk about how to support and sustain farming in the valley.
Thank you to Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance, Sammamish Valley Alliance, SnoValley Tilth, Pallet Shelter, King County officials, and the many farmers and agricultural workers in attendance for sharing your perspectives! The farms represented include:
I look forward to continuing these conversations and exploring how the county can support our farmers in sustaining their livelihoods – which sustain the rest of us in District 3 and beyond!
State of County: I enjoyed the opportunity to offer State of the County remarks to the Carnation Chamber and Issaquah Kiwanis, where I shared the investments that King County has made in each area, as well as small business resources we have to offer in support of their continued success. I look forward to speaking to all of our district’s seven chambers throughout this year, including:
March Celebrations and Recognitions!
Beyond Women’s History Month, we celebrated a variety of holidays this March! We began the month wishing Ramadan Mubarak to our Muslim community members for the month of March, and I enjoyed attending Iftar at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound with so many community members from different faiths and walks of life. We wished Chag Purim Sameach to all our Jewish community members celebrating Purim. We wished our Hindu community members a joyous Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, and I had the honor of leading a color throw at a Holi festival hosted by Beats of Washington and celebrating with D3 community members. Finally, we had a wonderful time celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family!
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Are you a District 3 resident living in the Snohomish-Snoqualmie River watershed? Are you looking for a meaningful volunteer position where you would contribute to discussions about salmon recovery and watershed habitat protection and restoration? Then, you should apply to be a resident member of the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum!
Resident members of the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum participate in decision-making and serve a four-year term (July 2025-June 2029). The Forum meets six times per year. Preference for this position will be given to residents of Carnation, Duvall, North Bend, Snoqualmie, and the Snoqualmie Tribe reservation.
To learn more about the Forum, check out this webpage. To apply, fill out the online application. If you have any questions, email Elissa Ostergaard at elissa.ostergaard@kingcounty.gov. Applications are due Wednesday, April 16!
The Communities of Opportunity-Best Starts for Kids Advisory Board/Governance Group guides the implementation of the Communities of Opportunity (COO) strategy and the COO elements of our county’s Best Starts for Kids program.
The COO works to address economic and health disparities in King County through promoting the development of affordable housing, increasing access to public spaces like parks, and supporting local businesses.
The Board is looking for new members! They are hoping to recruit an individual from District 3, as there are no D3 residents currently on the Board.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Visit the Board’s website or email info@coopartnerships.org for more information!
Redmond Spotlight!
This month the spotlight is shining on a Redmond business, non-profit, and civic engagement opportunity! We hope you have a chance to visit these fantastic community contributors – and remember to Go Local!
Small Business Spotlight: The British Pantry
If you’re craving a spot of tea, a classic English pastry, or a hearty meat pie, The British Pantry in downtown Redmond is the perfect local business to satisfy any desire for English cuisine! This family-owned and operated bakeshop is celebrating its 47th anniversary this year, and it has been in its current location for over four decades! Visit The British Pantry at 8125 161st Avenue Northeast, Redmond, WA 98052, and check out its website to learn more!
Non-Profit Spotlight: Beats of Washington
Beats of Washington (formerly Beats of Redmond!) is a nonprofit organization that works to promote Indian culture, music, and traditions and to organize events that bring joy and cultural awareness to our communities. I had the pleasure of leading a color throw at Beats of Washington’s annual Holi Festival this month, and it was inspiring to experience the joy and sense of community that Beats of Washington creates with its events! Check out their website or email contact@beatsofwa.org to learn more about their events and workshops!
Community Spotlight: Redmond
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Last November, the Redmond City Council approved the Redmond 2050 Comprehensive Plan, which will guide growth and change in Redmond over the next decade and beyond. It is built on a community vision that emphasizes equity, inclusion, sustainability, and resiliency. Now, the City Council is making final building code updates to the plan!
On Wednesday, April 9, the Planning Commission will discuss proposed updates related to middle housing, affordable housing, street access standards, and more. Interested in learning more? Consider sitting in on a City Council meeting! You can join in-person in the City Council chambers at 15670 NE 85th St, Redmond, WA 98052 or virtually via RCTV!
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About Town!
With so much going on across our District 3 cities and towns, we want to ensure that you know about any upcoming major events, parades, festivals, and activities. Below is a short list of some upcoming events!
A Seedy Affair in Woodinville
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Saturday, April 12, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Join the Sammamish Valley Alliance at 21 Acres Farm for free family activities, arts and crafts, Seed Swap, garden tours, artisan vendors, and live music!
Farm Fresh Market in Issaquah
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Saturday, April 12 (runs every Saturday until April 26), 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Join Ayala Farms at the Historic Shell Station in Historic Downtown Issaquah to support local farmers, enjoy live music, and purchase seasonal flowers!
City of Sammamish Earth Day 2025
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Saturday, April 19, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Join the city of Sammamish at Beaver Lake Lodge for Earth Day themed crafts and giveaways, gardening workshops, food trucks, a petting zoo, and more!
Bunny Hop Egg Hunt in Snoqualmie
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Saturday, April 19, 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Come hunt for thousands of Easter eggs in Centennial Fields Park, complete with Mr. Bunny riding into the park on a Snoqualmie fire engine!
Echos of Epic at Remlinger Brewery in Carnation
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Saturday, April 26, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Enjoy great beer, delicious food, and high-energy modern rock hits from the ‘90s to today at this all-ages live music show at Remlinger Farms!
Carnation Farms Spring Market
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Saturday, May 3, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Enjoy hot food from the outdoor pizza oven, farmer-led tours around the crops, and handmade products from over 20 local artisan vendors!
If you know of any upcoming events that you’d like us to highlight in next month’s newsletter, please share them at Isabel.Smith@kingcounty.gov.
Stay Connected!
Please forward this email and invite others to sign up to receive email updates. Also, make sure that you follow our Facebook and Instagram accounts to stay up-to-date on everything we are working on together!
Finally... a reminder that I’d love to grab a cup of coffee and talk. Just reach out to our team member Isabel at Isabel.Smith@kingcounty.gov or at 206-561-8513 and they will set us up!
All the best,
 Sarah Perry
King County Council
District 3
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