The cities of North Bend and Snoqualmie continue negotiations to explore the renewal of their Police Services Contract. Under this agreement, North Bend receives policing services through Snoqualmie’s Police Department.
North Bend Mayor Mary Miller and the City Council have expressed gratitude for the Snoqualmie Police Department’s dedicated service in protecting both communities over the past decade.
The current contract expires on December 31, 2024, and costs North Bend just over $2.5 million annually, or $304 per current resident. However, in an August 2024 proposal, Snoqualmie suggested increasing the contract to over $4.1 million, which equates to $490 per current resident — an increase of over 60%.
To provide context, North Bend’s survey of surrounding communities revealed the following per-resident costs for police services in 2024:
- Maple Valley: $259
- Issaquah: $315
- Renton: $475
- Lynnwood: $483
Before partnering with Snoqualmie, North Bend contracted with the King County Sheriff’s Office but switched due to concerns about slow response times and unpredictable costs. Snoqualmie has provided both public safety and budget predictability through a fixed annual fee structure.
“Our concern right now is not with the Snoqualmie Police Department’s level of service,” Mayor Miller noted. “It is our duty to be stewards of your taxpayer dollars, and we are doing our due diligence to protect the City’s budget.”
In response to the proposed cost increase, North Bend hired a consultant in August 2024 to evaluate alternative options for police services, including:
- Renewing the contract with Snoqualmie,
- Contracting with another agency, such as the City of Issaquah, the King County Sheriff’s Office, or
- Establishing a city-owned police department.
The consultant’s study, expected in early 2025, will analyze historical call data, determine North Bend’s policing needs, and provide cost comparisons for various service options. The findings will guide the City Council’s decision-making to ensure the community’s safety and fiscal responsibility.
If the two cities do not reach an agreement before the current contract ends, the existing contract provides for a holdover period, setting the compensation at the current 2024 level plus five percent. North Bend will continue to update residents as negotiations progress.
~ Information provided by the City of North Bend. Living Snoqualmie has contacted the City of Snoqualmie for comment. If anything further is provided, this story will be updated.
