[Views expressed are those of the author, not the Living Snoqualmie website. You may submit letters to [email protected].]
By Suzan Torguson, North Bend City Councilmember. Views expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the position of the North Bend City Council.
North Bend is a great place to call home, and keeping it safe takes resources. I’d rather talk with you about that now than surprise you later.
The gap
The costs for everything, from gas to supplies, are going up. While the city cannot control inflation, the city is responsible for delivering essential services in the face of rising expenses.
North Bend is projected to face a budget shortfall beginning between late 2028 and early 2029, primarily driven by rapid increases in public safety costs. Our police costs were approximately $2.5 million in 2024 and are projected to reach $5.1 million in 2028—more than double. Fire suppression and EMS medical costs are growing as well, and as our population grows, potential expansion needs lie ahead.
State law limits annual property tax revenue increases to 1% without a vote of the people. According to North Bend Finance Director Chaw, that yields approximately $30,000 annually—and only if Council approves it. When costs double and revenue grows by $30,000, the math simply does not work.
What this means for you
Given these financial trends, the City Council will likely need to ask voters for a property tax measure. Without new revenue, the city would have to significantly reduce services. Significantly.
Looking inward first
Asking residents to pay more should always be a last resort. Before taking that step, City Hall must demonstrate careful stewardship of your tax dollars. Our staff performs good work, and this review is not a reflection on their dedication. It is simply a matter of what the city can afford right now.
The mayor’s proposed 2027–2028 budget reflects an approximate 19% reduction compared to the 2025–2026 biennial budget. Key proposed elements include:
- In 2027, a 3.8% cost-of-living increase (COLA) for non-represented directors and managers
- In 2027, Ballarat Plaza construction; creates ongoing costs for landscaping, cleaning, utilities, repairs & maintenance
- Three new employees added to this budget
To show taxpayers we are examining internal costs first, I support pausing or deferring these additions until our revenue trajectory stabilizes.
How to Make Your Voice Heard
Your feedback is essential as we shape North Bend’s budget. I encourage you to share your views with the City Council through any of the following avenues:
- Attend & Speak in Person: Join us at City Hall (920 SE Cedar Falls Way, North Bend, WA 98045) to review the numbers alongside Council and share what matters most to your family during Public Comment.
- City Council – First Reading & Public Hearing: Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
- City Council Work-study: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. (Observation only; public comment is not taken during work-study sessions)
- City Council: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
- City Council: Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
- City Council – Budget Final Reading: Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
- Write to the Council: If you cannot attend in person, mail in a letter or you can submit written comments directly to me at [email protected].
Note: Due to an upcoming medical procedure, I will be unable to attend the October 20 meeting in person, but I will carefully review all written comments submitted.
Comments
Can you address the tremendous appreciation in house prices, well above inflation, that has increased tax receipts over 100% since I moved in, and how we find ourselves in a situation where we are spending beyond those windfalls in the first place?