 September Newsletter 2025
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Advancing Your Priorities in Budget Discussions!
Dear Friend,
Beginning in October, the Council’s focus is all on our 2026-2027 biennial budget!
As one of the four members of the budget leadership team, I’ll be focusing on the critical issues of safe & healthy communities, strong infrastructure, clean water & land, more housing of all kinds, and transit & mobility – advancing the priorities you’ve expressed to me you care about. I’ll also join Councilmember Quinn in leading a panel on the roads and local services budget.
At our last Council meeting, Executive Braddock joined us to share the Executive Branch’s budget proposal for the 2026-2027 biennium. She shared a strong proposal with the Council for consideration.
Now, it’s time for the Legislative Branch to do our job! The Council will review and adopt a two-year budget for 2026 and 2027. The Executive’s budget proposal kickstarts this process and the Council will be holding public hearings, deliberating, and making amendments to the proposal into November.
I look forward to working with my Council colleagues to ensure we put forward a balanced budget that is as responsive as possible to the residents of D3 and the needs and values of the County as a whole. Check out this webpage to learn more, find out how to engage throughout the process, and share your thoughts our county budget.
Some of the key investments outlined in the Executive’s budget proposal include:
- Preserving critical public safety services, including Sheriff’s deputies, services for crime victims, and efforts to reduce gun violence
- Protecting critical programs from federal funding cuts, including the King County Office of Emergency Management
- Investing in a safe, clean, and reliable transit system, including adding 400,000 hours of new bus service
 As always, I’d love to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at sarah.perry@kingcounty.gov or at 206-477-1003.
I look forward to hearing from you or seeing you in community,
Council Briefings, Actions & Recognitions!
 Council has been working hard this month! Here is some of the work on the issues that you’ve expressed matter most to you:
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DCHS Reform Ordinance: I joined my Council colleagues in passing a comprehensive reform package to overhaul grant oversight within the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). As the Legislative Branch, the Council has a responsibility to provide oversight and checks-and-balances to our Executive branch agencies. I’m glad to have co-sponsored this legislation and that we’re taking this important step forward to restore trust in King County’s financial management.
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Investments in Flood Reduction: As vice chair of the Flood Control District, I led my colleagues in approving investments in flood reduction across King County. We invested $2.5 million in funding in D3 and nearly one-third of all projects are in our District, working to ensure the health and safety of our communities, preserve vital infrastructure, and protect our local habitats.
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Investments in Our Parks & Open Spaces: The Council approved the investment of funding through our voter-approved parks levy to preserve our parks and open spaces. The county invested $2.5 million in funding for six projects in D3, including the West Side Trail in Fall City.
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Diaper Need Awareness Week: In Council, we recognized Diaper Need Awareness Week. Diaper need is an issue that impacts every corner of our county, jeopardizes the health of our youngest community members, and can limit the economic opportunities parents can pursue, as large supplies of diapers are typically a requirement for childcare programs. We were honored to be joined by KidVantage and WestSide Baby to speak on this issue!
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.
I’ve Been Out in Community!
 
Out and About with Our Chambers and Rotary: Thank you to the Woodinville Chamber and Woodinville Rotary Club for inviting me to speak about the state of our county and have lively discussions with your members about how the county can best serve you. I joined the Duvall Chamber, Carnation Chamber, SnoValley Chamber, Issaquah Chamber, and Sammamish Chamber for their monthly meetings and other events. Thank you for all the work you do to support our businesses and advance economic opportunities in D3!
 Snoqualmie International Community Block Party: It was wonderful to meet and re-connect with many of the wonderful nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders in Snoqualmie and the broader Snoqualmie Valley community at the Snoqualmie International Community Block Party! Thank you to SnoValley Chamber and City of Snoqualmie for hosting this amazing event celebrating the diversity in our District and for inviting me to say a few words to kick off the festivities.
 Sammamish Mosque Picnic: Thank you to the Sammamish Muslim Association for inviting me to your summer picnic at the Sammamish Mosque! It was wonderful to join you for food, friends, and lively conversation on such a beautiful summer day.
 Indian American Community Services (IACS) Community Center Blessing Ceremony: Thank you to IACS for inviting me to be a part of this beautiful ceremony to celebrate the beginning of IACS’ work to transform this space into a community center that embodies and serves all our community members. I’m honored to support you as you work to bring your vision for this community center to life!
Community Celebrations
To kick off September, we honored Labor Day by recognizing the contributions that workers and unions have made to our nation. We celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi, a festival honoring the Hindu deity of wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings. We joined Beats of Washington (formerly Beats of Redmond) for their Ganesh Festival in Marymoor Park. We wished a wonderful Rosh Hashanah to our Jewish community members.
We always have things to celebrate here in D3! Check out the What’s Going on Around Town? section below for information on upcoming D3 festivals like Issaquah Salmon Days.
And the Survey Says...
It takes all of us working together within our communities to make an impact! Here are more of the happenings from Council, King County, and our communities on the issues that you’ve expressed matter most to you through your responses to our annual survey:
D3 Community Survey Priority #1: Road & Bridge Infrastructure
 Vital Road Maintenance and Repair: Your tax dollars at work! This month, the Department of Local Services completed a vital culvert replacement project in the Carnation area. Investing in our road and bridge infrastructure is key to ensuring that King County residents can safely and efficiently get to where they need to go every day.
D3 Community Survey Priority #2: Safe & Healthy Communities
 Meeting with Snoqualmie Valley Human Service Providers: I met with human service providers in the Snoqualmie Valley to hear how they’re navigating the current economic landscape and changes in federal policy to programs like Medicaid and SNAP. We also spoke about the Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS) and the supports needed for our nonprofits to thrive so they can focus on serving our communities. Check out the organizations represented:
D3 Community Survey Priority #3: Environment
Biosolids Forestry Tour: I had the amazing opportunity to learn about and tour the site of forestry work that King County’s Department of Natural Resources & Parks is doing outside Carnation. They're using Loop, a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer, to accelerate forest growth in our District and partnering with farms in Eastern Washington to increase their agricultural productivity. Currently, they’re working to develop compost that can be used in our local farms and community gardens in D3. What an amazing project that benefits both our communities and our environment!
D3 Community Survey Priority #4: Housing – All Types & All Incomes
 Affordable Housing in East King County: The D3 team attended a discussion hosted by the Eastside Housing Equity Coalition on equity and affordable housing as we work to bring housing of all types and income levels to our cities in East King County. We engaged with community members and advocates from many backgrounds on how to tackle housing in our communities.
D3 Community Survey Priority #5: Transit & Mobility
 Grand Opening of Redmond Central Connector Trail: Congratulations to the City of Redmond for being the first city to complete their portion of Eastrail, a 42-mile regional trail network connecting communities along east Lake Sammamish! As the former co-chair and current member of the Eastrail Regional Advisory Council, it has been amazing to advance this project and watch it come to life. I’m excited to see the positive impact it will have on our District as an alternative transport and mobility option.
Snoqualmie Spotlight!
This month the spotlight is shining on a Snoqualmie 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: Books & Bottles
Books & Bottles is a one-of-a-kind bookshop located in historic downtown Snoqualmie! This store offers a curated selection of books, wines, non-alcoholic beverages, and gifts. Books & Bottles also hosts regular community gatherings, including a book club and a wine club. Visit Books & Bottles at 8130 Railroad Ave, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. Check out their Instagram to learn more!
Non-Profit Spotlight: Encompass NW
Encompass NW is a nonprofit that provides services to help children ages 0-8 in the Snoqualmie Valley thrive, including pediatric therapy, early learning, and family enrichment programs. Encompass NW has three locations in Snoqualmie, North Bend, and Carnation, in addition to a host of programs offered at community locations and in the home. Call (425) 888-3347 or check out their website to learn more!
City Spotlight: City of Snoqualmie
The City of Snoqualmie is relaunching its popular City Academy, a free program that gives residents an inside look at how their local government works! This program gives residents insight into different city departments, including the Administrators’ Office, Police Department, and the Parks & Public Works Department. Sessions will begin this October and go through November. Check out the City Academy website to learn more!
What’s Going on Around 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!
Love Snoqualmie Valley Volunteer Day
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Saturday, October 4, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM: Join Love Snoqualmie Valley for their annual volunteer day! Join different volunteer projects across the Valley for a morning of community and service. Then, swing by Aroma Coffee between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. for the post-celebration!
Issaquah Salmon Days
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Saturday, October 4 & Sunday, October 5, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Head to downtown Issaquah to celebrate the return of our local salmon to Issaquah Creek. Watch the parade the morning of October 4 and enjoy live music, vendors, and food trucks!
Tasveer Film Festival & Market
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Wednesday, October 8 through Sunday, October 12: The Tasveer Film Festival, the world's only Oscar-qualifying South Asian Film Festival, returns to Seattle this October! Enjoy the screenings of 100+ films telling the stories of South Asian countries and their diasporas worldwide.
Ragamala Lights in Woodinville
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Saturday, October 11, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Join Ragamala for a day-long festival of Indian classical music featuring instrumental and vocal concerts by renowned artists, a tabla drum circle, and delicious Indian food and chai!
Redmond Diwali Bazaar
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Saturday, October 11, 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Enjoy henna, explore and shop for Diwali items, jewelry, traditional South Asian wear, gifts, Diwali sweets and snacks, and much more!
Carnation Farms Harvest Market
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Saturday, October 11, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Join Carnation Farms at their historic Hippodrome to celebrate the bounty of autumn! Enjoy hot food and drinks, take a history tour around the main grounds, snap a selfie in their fall-themed photobooth, and pick up autumnal goods from local artisan vendors!
Issaquah Town Hall on Climate Action
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Wednesday, October 15, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Join Mayor Pauly, City of Issaquah Sustainability staff, and community partners at the Issaquah Library to celebrate climate action and sustainability successes in our community, hear about what is coming next, and learn how you can engage!
City of Sammamish Pumpkin Party
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Thursday, October 30, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM: The City of Sammamish invites you to their Trunk or Treat event, where decorated car trunks transform into festive trick-or-treat stations. Families are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy safe, community-centered Halloween fun!
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.
But Wait, There's More!
Congratulations to D3 Businesses Selected as Finalists for King County Small Business Awards: Congratulations to the six D3 businesses who are finalists for this year’s King County Executive’s Small Business Awards! Join us on Wednesday, October 1 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Seattle Convention Center to celebrate these businesses and discover the winning business in each category. You can find information about the award ceremony here, and check out the D3 nominees here:
Advisory Board Members Needed! Seeking D3 Representatives for Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) Advisory Board: Are you interested in overseeing the distribution of our county’s VSHSL funding to our veterans, seniors, and other in-need populations? Then, consider serving on the VSHSL Advisory Board! The board is currently seeking one representative from D3 to serve on the Veterans Committee and one representative from D3 to serve on the Seniors Committee.
If you’re interested in this opportunity, please email Isabel.Smith@kingcounty.gov to indicate your interest and learn about the nomination process.
Nominate Amazing Community Members for the Larry Gossett Service Award: Ahead of the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Annual Celebration, King County is seeking nominees for the Larry Gossett Service Award! This award is named after former King County Councilmember and civil rights activist Larry Gossett and honors community members advancing racial equity, social justice, and/or human rights in King County. Get your nominations in here by December 1!
Snoqualmie Watershed Forum Seeks D3 Resident to Help Guide Salmon Recovery: Interested in salmon recovery and habitat protection? Looking for a way to give back to your community? Then we may have just the opportunity for you! The Snoqualmie Watershed Forum is looking for a resident of the Snohomish River watershed and District 3 to serve a four-year term as a resident member. This volunteer position involves attending Forum meetings every two months and participating in discussions of the Forum’s environmental restoration initiatives.
This is a great opportunity to contribute to environmental protection efforts in your own backyard. Fill out the online application by November 2 at the link here!
Seeking D3 Representative for King County Rural Forest Commission: Interested in forest management and the conservation of our forestland? Then, you may be a perfect fit for the King County Rural Forest Commission!
The commission is seeking members to advise the King County Council and Executive on policies and programs surrounding rural forests, working forests, and the conservation of our county’s forestland. Fill out the online application by Friday, October 31 at the link here!
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 to reach out by emailing sarah.perry@kingcounty.gov or calling 206-477-1003. I look forward to connecting!
All the best,
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