Here is a link to the Mayoral Forum held on July 17, 2025. I appreciate everyone who attended or has taken the time to watch this important discussion. I want to clarify my positions and correct several comments made by my opponents during the forum. I have included my opening and closing remarks from the forum, as the audio quality wasn’t always clear. It is important that voters have accurate information about my record and plans for Snoqualmie’s future. I will continue leading with transparency, accountability, and a clear vision for our community.
I am Katherine Ross, and it’s been a privilege to serve as your Mayor for the past 3 1/2 years. My family has proudly called Snoqualmie home for over 20 years.
When I took office in 2022, we faced serious challenges coming out of COVID. Nearly one third of city positions were vacant, systems were outdated, and residents did not feel heard. We got to work and delivered results. Today, Snoqualmie is stronger, safer, and more responsive. We’ve modernized operations, implemented new financial systems, restored city staffing, and improved customer service. We were able to reduce overtime, promote internal talent, and build one of the most stable and high-performing city teams in years, which means high quality levels of service for our residents.
We prioritized public safety, passing a levy to retain, train, and equip first responders. Crime is down 10%, and we remain one of the safest cities in Washington State. We have invested in our community, repaving Snoqualmie Parkway with state grants, launching a new splashpad and all-inclusive playground, and we are advancing the River Trail, and Sandy Cove bank restoration projects, and working to secure final funding for the Community Center expansion with a pool.
I have led with fiscal discipline, secured millions in outside funding, launched our first-ever strategic plan, and negotiated a major reduction with King County for our housing growth target, all while advancing affordable housing solutions. Transparency is a core value, so we have strengthened our use of press releases, social media, and community forums to better engage residents and businesses. I am running for re-election because there is more to do. I am the most experienced candidate and know how to get things done. I look forward to tonight’s forum. Thank you.
Jim Mayhew claims that transparency has declined under my leadership. First, it’s important to understand the separation of powers in our city government. The City Council serves as the legislative body, making policy decisions, setting utility rates, fees, and approving all major contracts, including labor agreements and police service contracts. As Mayor, I serve as the executive, responsible for administering those policies and negotiating within the parameters the Council establishes.
While the City Council controls many policy decisions, I’ve consistently shared the results, because you deserve clear, honest communication. Major decisions are made transparently, with options and costs openly discussed and the rationale for decisions publicly disclosed and shared with our community. Transparency has been and continues to be a priority.
Under my leadership, we have expanded communication through regular press releases, newsletters, social media updates, community forums, open houses, booths at community events, website enhancements, and coming soon, online access portals to make it even easier for residents to stay informed and engaged.
While Jim portrays collaboration as lacking, his own language takes sole credit for achievements that were only possible through joint work with Council, staff, and regional partners. He says, "a community’s future should be shaped collaboratively, not by one person," yet his website and forum comments repeatedly frame accomplishments as "I" statements, taking full credit for work done by many. True collaboration means recognizing the shared effort of the Council, city staff, and regional stakeholders, not overstating individual involvement.
As Mayor, I’ve consistently shown up, built solid partnerships, and delivered results for Snoqualmie. This includes member of Sound Cities Association Board representing 38 King County cities; serving as past president of the Snoqualmie Valley Government Association which is a coalition of Valley mayors, councilmembers and Snoqualmie Tribal members; Southeast Area Legislative Transportation Coalition (SEAL-TC) member advocating for SR-18 funding; engaging with the Snoqualmie Tribe; and working closely with county and state elected officials to advance our city’s key priorities.
Jim Mayhew criticized the end of the North Bend police services contract, yet the facts are clear: North Bend accounted for 46% of total calls for service for Snoqualmie and North Bend combined, but only paid 27% of the total cost, creating over $1 million annual subsidy burden for Snoqualmie taxpayers. Our goal was to make sure the costs were distributed fairly and equitably. Despite Snoqualmie submitting the highest-scoring and lowest-cost proposal, North Bend City Council chose the King County Sheriff’s Office. I will always prioritize fiscal responsibility and fairness for our residents.
As Mayor, I take my duty to protect Snoqualmie residents and businesses seriously. Public safety remains our highest priority, and our police will continue to serve with the same responsiveness and professionalism that have kept Snoqualmie ranked among the safest cities in Washington for nearly a decade. We remain committed to our 'No Call Too Small' model, ensuring that concerns are addressed and our community continues to feel safe.
When I became Mayor in 2022, Snoqualmie was still recovering from the pandemic and transitioning after 16 years under the same mayoral leadership. The city faced a 30% staff vacancy rate, low morale, and outdated systems, and we were losing employees to other cities offering better pay and career opportunities. We got to work and delivered results:
It is common to see staff turnover during leadership transitions, especially with a new vision, management approach, and modernized systems. As we moved forward, we made thoughtful decisions to restructure leadership and strengthen our team for long-term success. As a result:
Our government today is more engaged, professional, and service-oriented. The result is efficient service delivery, better communication, and higher-quality services for our community.
The Community Center Expansion and aquatics facility (CCE) is one of the most important capital projects we have for the health, safety, and well-being of our residents. This project is fully designed and shovel-ready, featuring a 6-lane competition-sized pool suitable for high school swim teams and a separate recreation/therapy pool. We’ve been setting aside one-time, non-recurring tax revenues for several years and actively pursuing regional funding opportunities without raising taxes. Funding for the CCE does not come at the expense of other critical capital needs, including ongoing investments in infrastructure, road maintenance, and park improvements.
Long-term maintenance and operations of the community center will be handled through an agreement with the YMCA, so the city will not be responsible for ongoing maintenance or operating costs. Anyone can use the facility either through a membership or day pass. Snoqualmie residents will be able to swim for free once a week.
The City has previously engaged with Si View Metropolitan Parks District (SVMPD) on their regional pool efforts, and in May 2024, I invited both SVMPD, North Bend City Council and other community partners to meet and discuss Snoqualmie’s aquatics facility. Only one Si View commissioner responded to that invitation. We would welcome collaboration with regional partners for the Snoqualmie aquatics facility.
When Jim Mayhew served on the Council, he helped plan the pool and even approved it in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), but now he claims it’s too small. In 2019, we both approved a resolution rejecting a partnership with SVMPD for a regional pool, recognizing that such a project would still require one or more voter-approved bonds from a taxing district Snoqualmie doesn’t belong to. Now Jim has reversed course, advocating for that same partnership, even though SVMPD has failed three times to pass a bond for their regional pool.
Jim Mayhew is out of touch with our community. Snoqualmie is centrally located in the Upper Valley, home to the largest population in the area, with over 30% of our residents under age 18 and additional youth commuting here daily for school. Jim voted NO on the splash pad, a project that has since brought tremendous economic and community benefits. Jim's message is inconsistent and tailored to fit his storytelling, he claimed we shouldn’t have built the splash pad without grants but suggested returning a major grant for the Centennial Fields all‑inclusive playground and not build it. Jim will not support the Community Center Expansion project nor invest in a regional pool, leaving the Snoqualmie Valley without an aquatic center. It’s time to move forward and deliver the pool and expanded community center our families deserve.
Thank you again for hosting this forum and to everyone joining us tonight. It’s been an honor to serve as your Mayor, and I appreciate the chance to share my vision for Snoqualmie’s future. You’ve heard different perspectives, some critical, others vague. What I offer is clear: real leadership, proven results, and a strong track record of doing the work.
As Mayor, I’ve stayed focused on what matters, protecting what makes Snoqualmie special while preparing our community for the future. That includes:
I lead with fiscal responsibility, transparency, and meaningful community engagement, because when residents are heard, government works better. I’ve shown up, listened, and built strong partnerships to get things done. I’m not running for higher office; I’m running to keep serving this community and building on the progress we’ve made together.
I’m the only candidate with executive experience running city operations. If you value steady leadership and progress, I’d be honored to earn your vote. Let’s keep moving Snoqualmie forward, together. Thank you.
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