Emily Keller-O'Donnell, Journalist

Minimal Impact from Sheriff’s Budget Cuts

    If King County officials respond to the county’s budget crisis by reducing criminal justice funding, some of the impacts could trickle down to Sammamish.

    Facing a $68 million shortfall in the 2009 budget, King County Executive Ron Sims has proposed an 8.6 percent cut to criminal justice services, which make up 71 percent of the county’s budget. Those services include the county sheriff’s office, prosecuting attorney’s office, superior and district courts and Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention.

    Published in the Sammamish Review. Read the story.

City Polls Sammamish Residents

    Residents of Sammamish continue to love the city for its small-town feel, quiet, schools, safety and lakes, and they still wish the city had less traffic congestion. But the percentage of residents who approve of the city’s general direction declined slightly since 2005, according to a phone survey of nearly 400 people conducted in April.

    The City conducts surveys periodically to gauge public opinion and connect with citizens. The last survey was conducted in 2005, and the city plans to do them every two years going forward, said Communications Director Tim Larson.

    Published in the Sammamish Review. Read the story.

Prices Set to Increase for Water and Sewer Service

    Sammamish residents may have to pay more for water and sewer service by 2009. The Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer Authority, which provides sewer and water service to more than 50,000 people in parts of Sammamish, Issaquah and unincorporated King County, is proposing to increase base charges and usage charges by 9 percent. Additionally, the Metropolitan King County Council has voted to increase its portion of the bill.

    Published in the Sammamish Review. Read the story.

State Official: Tolls Coming on 520 Bridge

 

    Washington state officials including spoke to the Sammamish City Council about tolling a bridge on Seattle's east side to keep it from collapsing into Lake Washington in an earthquake. 

    Paula Hammond, the Washington transportation secretary (right), sits on the new 520 Tolling Implementation Committee with Bob Drewel, executive director of the Puget Sound Regional Council, and Richard Ford, the Washington transportation commissioner.

    The article was published in the Sammamish Review. Read the story.

Finkelstein: Sammamish Must Diversify Revenue

    Stan Finkelstein, executive director of the nonprofit Association of Washington Cities, gave a dire warning to the Sammamish City Council last week. He said the city must diversify its revenue sources and prepare for state and national funding reductions to maintain financial viability over the long term.

    Finkelstein told the City Council that Sammamish has benefited despite the economic downturn by setting aside capital funds, a luxury he said few cities enjoy. The city has also benefited from having a relatively high median income, which was $101,592 – almost twice that of similar cities – when the last U.S. Census was conducted in 2000. The closest contender was Redmond, which had a median income of $66,735.

    But Finkelstein warned that increases in the federal debt and health care costs will lead to reductions in entitlement programs and funding for services like higher education. He also said Sammamish is likely to face a rise in contract expenses and in the cost of delivering services, and it will need to diversify its revenue sources as new construction slows.

    Published in the Sammamish Review. Read the story.

City Plans for Revenue and Expense Crossover

    Officials are beginning to plan now for a long-term revenue shortfall that they say is an inevitable part of being a new city and could strike in the next 10 years. As the city matures and continues building infrastructure, the cost of maintaining that infrastructure will rise, shrinking the gap between the city’s revenue and expenses over time.

    The crossover point where expenses begin to rise above revenue is currently estimated at the 2017-2018 budget year, but a prolonged downturn in the housing market could make it happen sooner, city officials said at a financial retreat meeting June 12.

    Published in the Sammamish Review. Read the story.

Council Approves Town Center

   

    The future of Sammamish will have a public park topping off a “Green Spine”, a central business district with offices on the east side of 228th Avenue and stores on the west, and green building and low-impact storm water development techniques scattered throughout. It will provide housing for up to 5,000 new residents.

    The City Council approved a 243-acre development plan for the city’s center at its June 9 meeting, capping off years of discussion.

    Pictured: 228th and 8th avenues, where development could take place.

    Published in the Sammamish Review. Read the feature story.