2026 Executive Pay Plan:(not counting bonuses, health insurance, retirement, COLA, and perks.) Effective January 1, 2026. Maximum annual band quoted:
Redmond Neighborhood Blog
News and Opinion on Neighborhoods, Schools and Local Governments of Redmond, WA.
Saturday, November 15, 2025
2026 Redmond Executive And Non-Union Compensation Plan
2026 Executive Pay Plan:(not counting bonuses, health insurance, retirement, COLA, and perks.) Effective January 1, 2026. Maximum annual band quoted:
Redmond Elected Official Compensation
| Council Member Monthly salary $2,352.90, Annual $28,234.80 Council President* Monthly salary $2,352.90, Annual: $28,234.80 salary: *Council President receives an additional $200 premium per month Mayor Monthly Salary: $14,495.84 Annual Salary: $173,914. (not including COLA, health insurance, phone, transportation, education conferences, community programs, and perks.) Effective January 1, 2026, not including health insurance, COLA(?,) travel, phone, educational conferences, community expenses: Source: AM 25-1814. 11/18/2025 Exhibit 14: 2026 Elected Official Pay Plan “EO”,
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Thursday, November 13, 2025
EvergreenHealth Earns National Safety Award
EvergreenHealth Earns 14th Consecutive ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group
KIRKLAND, WA—EvergreenHealth has been awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for the 14th consecutive time by The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit upholding the standard for excellence in patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers.
“This recognition honors the collective work and vigilance of our physicians and staff and affirms the trust our patients place in us,” said EvergreenHealth CEO Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACP. “EvergreenHealth remains one of the very few hospitals in our region to receive consistent ‘A’ grades. This distinction reflects our leadership in patient safety and our dedication to delivering care our community relies on.”
Thursday, November 6, 2025
UPDATED: Pat and Kitty Vache' Food Bank
| Redmond Market Volunteers |
Trace, the Redmond Market manager said food insecurity from the SNAP cuts brought in twice the normal traffic. Even with Trump reducing program funding from 50% to 30% the pain will persist.
Pat Vache', retired Councilmember of 16 years, circulated around the work spaces including the produce line and managing the grocery carts. The produce is fresh and abundant: bib & romaine lettuce, eggs, tomatoes, oranges, apples, rosemary, sage, chives, onions, carrots, cabbage, celery, fresh grapes, potatoes, bananas, radishes, cucumbers, squash, avocadoes, and more!
Caned goods, rice, cereal, are stocked on all the shelves throughout. The bagels and baguettes are popular. A holiday section is in the works. Diapers, aspirin, soaps and other sundries are available. Food donations are accepted.
The deli was stocked with frozen salmon steaks, frozen strawberries, fresh raspberries, smoothie mix, sandwiches, vegetable trays, beef & pork steaks, decorated cakes and more! Much of the deli food came from "rescuing it" from grocery stores before they threw it out.
Pallets of the bulk food arrive from commercial companies and are stored in the deep freeze and expansive refrigerator. It's all an amazing coordinated effort; and a true blessing to work with Trace, and Zola in produce.
Our "customers" and their children always leave with an appreciative smile on their face. Thank you Pat Vache' for all that you do, including finding the site for Hopelink Services and this market!
-- Bob Yoder, 11/5/2026
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
King County Election Outcomes Affecting Redmond
Monday, November 3, 2025
National "Take a Hike Day", Redmond Contains 59 Trail Miles
| Redmond Watershed Preserve |
Monday, Nov. 17 is National ‘Take a Hike Day’, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by exploring Redmond’s lush trails and natural spaces! Cooler temperatures mean fewer bugs, quieter trails, and colorful landscapes that will brighten your winter spirit.
Our top winter hike picks to celebrate ‘Take a Hike Day’ in Redmond include the 800-acre Redmond Watershed Preserve, a nature preserve (accessible by bus) with beautiful fall foliage and diverse habitats, the Farrel-McWhirter Loop that connects to Juel Park for a post-hike picnic or round of disc golf, and the Redmond Powerline Trail for those looking for a full day adventure. If the idea of hiking in November is new to you, check out the packing list and other resources for trail safety from the Washington Trails Association.
Saturday, November 1, 2025
ADHD Awareness Month
Do you know that one third of children with ADHD develop Adult ADHD?
Video on teen ADHD (with brief information on Tourette's tics) 4 m.
Data and Stats on ADHD - Center for Disease Control.
NAMI Eastside webinar on ADHD, sponsored by EvergreenHealth, 1 hour.
-- Reported by Bob Yoder, 10/31/2025
Friday, October 31, 2025
The Hopelink Food Banks Are Open
By now you've seen or heard recent news about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and how the program could be impacted by the continuing federal government shutdown. Many of you have already reached out asking how to help, and we’re so grateful. Many have also asked, “What exactly do these changes mean, and how will they affect people here in King County?” You can read our full statement here.
Due to the many hardships our community members are facing with food security, starting on Monday, Nov. 3, Hopelink will provide additional food during visits to Hopelink Food Markets. If you have any questions or would like to enroll in the Hopelink Food Assistance program to shop for free groceries, please call your nearest Hopelink Center. Information on the Redmond Hopelink center is HERE.
-- Hopelink, 10/31/2025
Utility Rates to Increase 9.30% in 2026
"In 2026, PSE is proposing a 9.30% increase in electricity rates, adding about $11.20 more per month for a typical residential customer using 800 kilowatt-hours. Natural gas rates would rise by a smaller 2.07%, or about $1.51 per month for the average customer.
PSE points to several drivers behind these increases, including upgrades to the Baker River hydro project, deployment of advanced distribution systems to support EVs and rooftop solar, new clean energy from the Beaver Creek wind farm, wildfire prevention measures, and rising operating costs.
The result is higher bills for households, but also long-term investments in cleaner energy, safety, and *grid modernization."
-- Puget Sound Energy, 10/11/2025
Sewer / stormwater rates in Redmond will increase, as well. In addition, *AI requires a tremendous amount of power with no end in sight. Federal funds for relief can't be expected, with Trump. At a recent City Council meeting President Kritzer noted King County is organizing all their cities to meet on this problem. Living in Redmond is unaffordable for many. Now this.
-- Bob Yoder, 10/31/2025
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Improvements to Pool Access / Candidates Stuart, Fields, Salahuddin, Anderson
Sunday, October 26, 2025
EvergreenHealth Commission Educational Session
EvergreenHealth Educational Session meeting, August 1, 2025, 7 AM
- Plymouth Housing - the model, performance, the intent
- UW Clinical professor discusses problems with the U.S. Healthcare systems compared to other countries.
- Levy lid lift benefits.
Friday, October 24, 2025
Meadow Park Replacement Construction
The City names their construction work at Meadows Park a "replacement." It seems more of a renovation with the extensive new beddings and shrubs they are planting around the courts. Note the rich, dark soil in the foreground. Total cost is $593, 910.
Thursday, October 23, 2025
EXTRA: Alaska Wildlife Refuge Open To Oil And Gas Drilling
Trump administration finalizes plan to open pristine Alaska wildlife refuge to oil and gas drilling
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Trump administration on Thursday finalized plans to open the coastal plain of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to potential oil and gas drilling, renewing a long-simmering debate over whether to drill in one of the nation’s environmental jewels.
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the decision Thursday that paves the way for future lease sales within the refuge’s 1.5 million-acre (631,309 hectare) coastal plain, an area that’s considered sacred by the Indigenous Gwich’in. The plan fulfills pledges made by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans to reopen this portion of the refuge to possible development. Trump’s bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, passed during the summer, called for at least four lease sales within the refuge over a 10-year period.
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Reservoir Park Sport Court Replacement
When finished the project will have three tennis courts (one lined for pickleball) and a basketball hoop. A worker said he's been bombarded by people asking why the sports court would cost $1.8 million. According to the supervisor, a potable water reservoir of 3,100 gallons rests under the courts. The lid was 50 years old, deteriorated and had to be replaced, not restored. That costs money.
Estimated time of completion is 2026.
Monday, October 20, 2025
LWPTSA October News
A Word From Council Co-Presidents
Hello from Legislative Assembly!
When this newsletter hits your inbox, we will have concluded our time at the Washington State PTA Legislative Assembly. We are pleased to report that we have a large number of LWPTSA members representing their communities at Legislative Assembly this year. Although it can seem like a less than thrilling way to spend a weekend, it is actually a fantastic opportunity to network, to learn more about how to advocate, and to have some fun (ask our DEIB Chair Morgan about winning a raffle). We look forward to sharing a more detailed report with you in next week's newsletter.
This past week the LWPTSA Council hosted a School Board Candidate Forum. Thank you to those who attended and/or submitted questions for our candidates. It was a fantastic evening, and we all thoroughly enjoyed meeting our four candidates and hearing their thoughts and ideas on a variety of key district topics and issues. Please remember to have a plan to vote on or before November 5. Your voice matters! Seriously!
At our Council board meeting last week, we voted as a board to endorse and financially support the local levies. We will now bring that to our Council general membership meeting next month on 11/6 to vote on the endorsement as a general body.
Finally, please take a look at Brooke’s October Safety Spotlight!
Sincerely,Colleen McCloskey & Brooke Gialopsos (she/her)
LWPTSA Council Co-Presidents
This Week
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Thank you to the City of Sammamish Council for the opportunity to provide an update on EvergreenHealth and to share insights on the ever-evolving healthcare landscape."
“We look forward to partnering with you to continuously improve our shared community of care. EvergreenHealth is proud to serve Sammamish & the entire Eastside community with high quality healthcare,” said Dr. Palazzo.