July Newsletter 2025
Restoring and Maintaining Critical Services for Our Communities!
Dear Friend,
In March, I shared that the King County Sheriff’s Office announced its intention to reduce minimum sheriff deputy staffing in virtually all unincorporated areas in our district due to budget constraints. Since then, I’ve been fighting to restore this service and ensure that you feel safe and secure in your communities.
This month, I’m pleased to share that we’ve succeeded! On Tuesday, July 15, the Council approved a supplemental budget including $845,000 in added funding, that I proposed, to return sheriff staffing in unincorporated King County to normal levels.
On Monday, July 28, less than two weeks later, the Sheriff’s Office began the first day of its new shift schedule with increased minimum deputy staffing in our precinct, restoring staffing to normal service levels and ensuring quicker response times for emergencies in our unincorporated areas!
You’ve shared with me that public safety and knowing a sheriff’s deputy will respond in times of need continues to be one of your top two highest priorities year after year. I hear you, and I’m proud to have championed the restoration of this critical, basic service for you and your communities.
To learn more, check out this article from our very own Snoqualmie Valley Record and this news story from King 5.
As always, if you’d like to talk about anything, please reach out by sending an email to sarah.perry@kingcounty.gov or by calling 206-477-1003.
All the best and in gratitude,
Council Briefings & Actions!
 Council has been working hard this month! Here is some of the work on the issues that you’ve expressed matter most to you:
Approval of 2025 Mid-Year Budget:
Earlier this month, the Council adopted our 2025 mid-year budget! This most recent budget served as a mid-year opportunity to adjust our current 2025 budget based on feedback from residents. It was also our first opportunity to make funding decisions following changes at the federal level – many of which are impacting our local community organizations.
At a time when resources are limited, I am prioritizing investments in the areas where our communities need it most, including a focus on public safety and access to key programs and services that provide housing, food, health care, and basic infrastructure.
Knowing we have our 2026-2027 biennial budget to vote on this fall, and the uncertainty of policy changes and investments from the federal government, I am carefully considering the timing of each budget ask, knowing that additional budget challenges may lay ahead.
We know the funding landscape will continue to be challenging for organizations providing frontline services and care to our in-need community members. It is essential we work together across our various levels of government to be collaborative, coordinated, and strategic about how to allocate important resources.
I am pleased that this budget reflects our commitment to public safety, essential county services, and our support of organizations and communities who are feeling the impacts of the policy changes at the federal level.
District 3 Highlights from the Mid-Year Budget:
- $845,000 to the King County Sheriff’s Office to increase sheriff deputy coverage in our unincorporated communities and restore staffing to standard service levels.
- Over $150,000 for The Garage to support over 700 students in the Issaquah School District with counseling, case management, access to food and resources, and a safe place to belong.
- Over $125,000 for The Circle to support over 700 families and individuals across Issaquah, Sammamish, and Snoqualmie with resources and education, and to encourage their engagement within their communities.
- $50,000 for the Hyde Shuttle, an ADA/wheelchair accessible shuttle and ride service for seniors and adults with disabilities throughout many communities in King County, including the Snoqualmie Valley.
- $265,000 to 37 community organizations and local governments serving residents of District 3 by meeting basic needs, addressing hunger, enriching our local communities, and promoting active living for people of all ages.
Budget Impacts Briefing:
In the Committee of the Whole, we heard a briefing from Dwight Dively, Director of King County’s Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget, about the foreseen impacts of H.R. 1, a federal reconciliation bill, on the county’s budget and King County’s residents. Due to this bill, 100,000 King County residents could potentially lose Medicaid coverage.
I appreciate these important briefings, and I continue to be concerned about the impact that federal cuts will have on essential services for King County residents. As we consider future budget proposals, I know local resources will become an even more important tool in reducing the impact of the loss of federal support.
Cooperative Watershed Management Grants:
As Vice Chair of the King County Flood Control District, I led my colleagues in authorizing the distribution of $12.2 million in grant funding to improve the quality of our water and to preserve and restore the rivers, streams, salmon, and other wildlife that make up our local watersheds. Nearly $7 million of those grant allocations went to projects across District 3 through WRIA 7 – Snoqualmie/Skykomish Watershed Forum and WRIA 8 – Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed Salmon Recovery Council.
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.
Return Your Ballot!
Reminder that ballots for the King County 2025 primary election are due by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5! Voting is an essential right and civic responsibility and every election matters – drop your ballot in the mail or a ballot box by August 5!
More questions? Reach out to the King County Elections Office at elections@kingcounty.gov or call 206-296-8683. You can also follow their Facebook or Instagram to receive timely updates.
On the Issues!
On the Topic of Emergency Preparedness
 You’ve shared with me that the health and safety of your community is one of your top two priorities year after year, and specifically, emergency preparedness and effective coordination and communication between the county, local governments, residents, and our first responders in emergency situations is critical. That is why I’ve been working to improve our preparation and response to wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters.
Enhancing Wildfire Preparedness: This month, I met with Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer to discuss the issue of insurance coverage for homeowners living in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), who face increased risk of wildfires.
We learned about Commissioner Kuderer’s work on the state’s Wildfire Mitigation & Resiliency Standards Work Group. To learn more about the work group, register to attend the work sessions, or submit public comments, check out the work group’s webpage.
Alongside these state efforts, I’m pulling together wildfire mitigation experts, representatives from the Insurance Commissioner’s office and our King County Office of Emergency Management, and other stakeholders to ensure we are working hand in hand with our local fire agencies to improve communications in times of emergency and identify policy actions for King County to improve our own wildfire mitigation efforts.
Additionally, King County is developing a county-wide Community Wildfire Protection Plan with guidance from experts, local leaders, and community members. We need your input! Please consider responding to this short survey about the wildfire protection plan.
 Bomb Cyclone Recovery: Commissioner Kuderer and I also discussed the continued importance of relief for homeowners impacted by the November 2024 bomb cyclone and the difficulty residents are having getting their insurance claims processed. We are including resources below to help any homeowners who continue to deal with the impacts from last year’s devastating storm:
 Enhancing Flood Preparedness: In the wake of the tragic flash floods in Texas, I’m holding those who’ve lost loved ones to this terrible tragedy in my heart, and I feel the full weight of my responsibility as an elected official to prevent and prepare our communities for a similar catastrophic event in King County.
That is why I joined my King County Flood Control District Board colleagues in unanimously approving a motion to expand our flood preparedness outreach and programs and best management practices for flood risk reduction. I am grateful for this opportunity to renew our commitment to flood preparedness and protect the health and safety of our communities.
On the Topic of Healthy Communities & the Environment
 Preserving Historic Nature Camps: King County Parks is partnering with community organizations and investing in the restoration and preservation of our county’s historic nature camps to connect our youth to healthy outdoor recreation and educational opportunities.
In District 3, the Parks department has partnered with the Waskowitz Outdoor Education Center near North Bend. Through this partnership, we have simultaneously set up Camp Waskowitz to be financially independent and moved to preserve important forestland along the Snoqualmie River for our local wildlife and future generations of campers.
This work is an inspiring example of how we collaborate with our wonderful community organizations to maintain and revitalize historic spaces for future generations!
On the Topic of Supporting Our District 3 Farms
Photo courtesy of the City of Carnation
Supporting the Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance: I had the pleasure of joining councilmembers and officials from the City of Carnation and Congresswoman Kim Schrier at the Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance (SVPA)’s Taste of the Valley event! It was wonderful to, once again, hear about and uplift the amazing work SVPA does to support our local farmers and all of our beautiful land in the Snoqualmie Valley. I’m proud to have, and continue to, partner with SVPA to tackle key issues as I Chair the Local Services and Land Use Committee and lead the committee in updating our county’s Critical Areas Ordinance.
Congratulations to the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe on your beautiful, new Harvest Kitchen!
 This month, I had the honor of attending and speaking at the ribbon cutting of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe’s beautiful, new harvest kitchen space! This event marked Phase II of the Tribe’s plan to create an amazing community gathering, teaching, and care space, which began with the building of their Child Development Center.
The harvest kitchen, processing room, and greenhouse classroom attached to the Child Development Center will provide opportunities for people of every generation to learn and teach about food sovereignty, the Tribe’s culture, and traditional harvesting.
I was honored to attend the 2023 ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the Child Development Center, and I’m so glad to witness the expansion of this center toward fulfilling the Tribe’s vision for intergenerational cultural engagement and learning for this community space. Congratulations!
The mountain bike trails at Tokul are open once again!
 Thank you to everyone who has reached out to our office to advocate for the Tokul Mountain Bike Trails. Your voice, as well as those of your neighbors, highlighted how valuable these trails are as a community resource.
After much collaboration and partnership between the property owner, Campbell Global, and the King County Permitting Department, the concerns have been resolved, and the trails are now open for use again! We appreciate the King County permitting team and Campbell Global for working through the process in a way that restores recreational access to the mountain bike community while respecting environmentally sensitive areas.
In reopening access to their property, Campbell Global has asked for your support in honoring a few changes and rules so they can continue to keep these trails open.
- Campbell Global has closed a few of the trails from public access as the trails were built through environmentally sensitive areas. These trails now have barriers and signs indicating their closure. Please honor the closure of those trails so Campbell Global can continue to keep the other trails open to the community.
- Campbell Global is asking trail users and community members to not dig new trails. Any new trails will need to go through a permitting process to avoid future code enforcement cases like the one we have just resolved.
- If you plan to utilize the trails at Tokul, please acquire a day-use pass or an annual non-motorized permit to access the property. You can do this through the Campbell Global’s recreation website.
Thank you again for your continued support of the Tokul Mountain Bike Trails. We ask that you support the requests of the property owner and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same so we can all continue to enjoy this beautiful resource for years to come!
Farmers Market Season is in Full Bloom in District 3 – Check ‘em out!!
 It’s Farmers Market Season! Farmers markets are a fantastic opportunity to gather as a community and support our local farmers and small businesses. Check out these seasonal farmers markets across D3!
Carnation Farmers Market: Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Duvall Farmers Market: Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Fall City Farmers Market: Last Friday of the Month, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Issaquah Farmers Market: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
North Bend Farmers Market: Thursdays, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Redmond Farmers Market: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sammamish Farmers Market: Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Woodinville Farmers Market: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
You can also check out our state Farmers Market Directory to discover markets wherever you are in Washington this summer, or support our farms directly by joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program!
CSAs allow farmers to offer “shares” of their harvest to the public. Through this partnership, you become a member of the CSA and, in exchange, receive a box of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. Eat Local First has a CSA Finder that you can use to find CSAs in your community. Local Harvest has a CSA Finder as well!
July Celebrations and Recognitions!
Early this month, we celebrated 4th of July with events all across District 3! The Great Carnation 4th of July Celebration attracted hundreds of people to Carnation for a full day of festivities. In Council, we proclaimed the month of July to be Disability Pride Month in King County, recognizing the 35th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which protects the civil rights of our community members with disabilities. In Redmond, we kept the summer festivals and spirit going at Redmond Derby Days!
Issaquah Spotlight!
This month the spotlight is shining on an Issaquah 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: Boehm's Candies & Chocolates
Boehm’s Candies & Chocolates is a business embedded in Issaquah’s history and has provided Issaquah community members and visitors with delicious European-style chocolates and candies since 1956. Its founder, Julius Boehm, was an active member of the Issaquah community. Visit Boehm’s Candies & Chocolates at 255 NE Gilman Boulevard, Issaquah, WA 98027, and call 425-392-6652 or check out their website to learn more!
Non-Profit Spotlight: The Garage, a Teen Cafe
The Garage, a Teen Cafe, is a non-profit drop-in space serving teens in the Issaquah and Sammamish areas. It’s a safe space for teens to hang out, grab a snack, do homework, and host or attend community events, but also to access resources addressing mental health, food insecurity, housing insecurity, and other challenges impacting our youth. You can visit The Garage at 235 1st Ave SE, Issaquah, WA 98027, and call (425) 395-7341 or check out their website to learn more!
City Spotlight: City of Issaquah
This month, the City of Issaquah successfully completed its recent campaign to increase local enrollment in Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) Green Power Program — a voluntary initiative that allows customers to support renewable energy generation through their utility bills. Issaquah surpassed its goal and contributed to a new solar energy project! The solar project will be installed at the site of the historic Pickering Barn and will generate clean electricity locally and help lower municipal energy costs.
Check out the website of the City of Issaquah’s Office of Sustainability or call 425-837-3000 to learn more about ways you can get involved in the city’s environmental sustainability campaigns!
About Town!
With so much going on across our D3 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!
Issaquah Concerts on the Green
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Every Tuesday until August 19, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Join the City of Issaquah on August 5, 12, or 19 for the final installments of their annual summer Concerts on the Green! Grab your people, pack a picnic (or grab concessions from the Issaquah Kiwanis Club, and find your spot on the Issaquah Community Center front lawn to enjoy live music by local bands!
Issaquah Global Grub & Groove
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Friday, August 8, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Join friends and neighbors at the Issaquah Highlands Village Green for fun, food, and free entertainment to celebrate culture and community! This summer, the Global Grub & Groove tradition continues with a celebration of Indian Independence Day.
Celebrate Woodinville Festival
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Friday, August 8, 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Celebrate the people and culture of Woodinville with an annual community parade, Bassett Bash, festival, and fair!
Festival at Mt. Si
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Friday, August 8 through Sunday, August 10: Join the North Bend Educational & Cultural Association for Festival at Mt. Si. Hear amazing local artists and check out local vendors, food trucks, grand parade, and family fun day!
Sammamish Silver Jubilee Celebration
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Friday, August 16, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Join the City of Sammamish in celebrating 25 years of Sammamish at the Sammamish Commons. This event will include music, food, games, a photo booth, and more!
Snoqualmie Days
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Friday, August 22, 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM and Saturday, August 23, 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM: Celebrate the history, people, and culture of Snoqualmie at this year’s Snoqualmie Days (formerly known as Snoqualmie Railroad Days)! Don’t miss the annual music crawl, grand parade, and all the other activities in between!
Redmond Pride
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Saturday, August 30, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Join Pride Across the Bridge in Downtown Park for their fourth year of Redmond Pride. There will be amazing and fun performers and talented vendors, and sprinklers will be on for this event, so prepare to get wet if you would like to!
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.
Grant Opportunities This Quarter!
Do you know of an impactful organization that's looking for funding? Our D3 Team has resources for you! Every month we share a Grants Newsletter that highlights upcoming grant opportunities, and there are several grants available now. Investing in our local non-profits and supporting innovative ideas through funding is critical to ensuring that each of our communities can thrive, now and into the future!
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!
Please always feel free reach out to our D3 Team at sarah.perry@kingcounty.gov or at 206-477-1003. We look forward to connecting!
All the best,
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