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Biennial Budget
Mayor’s 2025-2026 Budget Message
Snoqualmie City Council and Community:
I am pleased to present the City of Snoqualmie’s 2025-2026 Biennial Budget which will fund the City’s activities for the next two years. This proposed two-year budget totals $154.7 million, including $44.0 million for the General Fund, and $59.5 million in capital investments.
My goal is for the biennial budget to accurately reflect the needs of our community, which deserves a reliable and transparent government. Over the past two years, the City faced significant challenges, including the same inflationary pressures that many families have felt, as well as shifting labor market conditions that have notably affected public safety recruitment and retention. I am thankful to everyone who has contributed to this effort, especially the City Council and the community, whose support have put us on a stable and renewed course.
Looking ahead, this budget aims to elevate the City of Snoqualmie in multiple areas: enhancing our professionalism, improving our responsiveness, fostering innovation, and ensuring fiscal sustainability, all while preserving the cherished small-town character and sense of community. You'll see evidence of this advancement throughout the city —whether it's the adoption of the 2044 Comprehensive Plan, the Police Department’s blueprint for accreditation, the Fire Department’s re-accreditation, or the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which will transform how we conduct our business both internally and externally. None of this progress would be possible without the dedicated staff committed to making Snoqualmie one of the best places to live in our region.
To achieve these goals, the City will need to continue rebalancing its revenue sources to create a more equitable distribution between property taxes, which are paid exclusively by property owners; and sales taxes, which are paid by both residents and visitors. Many Washington cities face revenue constraints, such as the 1% cap on property tax increases, which often fail to keep pace with inflation. This leads to structural imbalances where expenses consistently surpass revenues, driving city finances into an unfavorable position. Snoqualmie has proactively addressed these challenges by seeking additional revenues when necessary, such as the public safety sales tax, optimizing service levels, and pursuing economic development opportunities. As a result of these efforts, we are proud to present a balanced 2025-2026 Biennial Budget that is fiscally responsible and positions us well for a strong financial future.
Based on input from the community, the City Council has established key priorities that are reflected throughout the budget. These priorities, evident in the funded capital projects and supported services, include:
- Encouraging Economic Vibrancy
- Enhancing and Preserving Neighborhood Livability and Quality of Life
- Investing in Transportation and Infrastructure
- Assuring a Safe Community
- Ensuring Fiscal Transparency and Operational Stability
On July 8, 2024, the City Council approved the non-utilities portion of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which includes transportation, parks, facilities, public safety and other areas. The Administration and City Council are currently finalizing the utilities portion of the CIP. This plan is designed to be financially sound, responsible, and balanced, ensuring proactive maintenance of critical infrastructure while strategically investing in improvements that will enhance the quality of life for Snoqualmie residents.
A significant and exciting strategic investment is the Community Center Expansion Project, slated for construction in 2025, contingent upon funding support from external partners such as the State of Washington and King County. This expansion, which includes an aquatics facility, will offer essential swimming and water safety skills, and enhance health and mental wellness programs for people of all ages and abilities. The expansion will alleviate overcrowding, address the demand for before and after-school programs, meeting spaces, fitness space, and fulfill the vision for Snoqualmie Ridge that began over 25 years ago.
I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the City Council for their unwavering commitment to prioritizing our community's needs. I would like to thank our city staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the budget process, which will have a lasting impact in the years ahead.
It is an honor to serve as your Mayor. I am thankful to be part of such an extraordinary community, genuine in its beauty, people, and exceptional quality of life.
Respectfully,
Mayor Katherine Ross