King County "Transparency Assessor Tool"

Transparency Assessor Tool: https://localscape.property/#kingcountyassessor/My-Property

The King County Assessor developed an invaluable Localscape "transparency assessor tool" to calculate individual 2025 taxes and levy rates based on your home's appraised value.  Current and past taxes, area median household income, area sales, and other useful data are resourced.   

In 1981, I bought my 1,800 sf home on Education Hill for $92,000.  According to the calculator, the 2023 average sales price in my area is $999,375.  

My total property taxes in 2023 were $8961.80 (up $1,630 from 2022.)  The calculator showed 2024 King County levy rates and dollar amounts on my property, as follows: 

• Local School 29.30%  - $2475.48
• City 11.04% - $849.3
• County 10.9% - $1311.16
• Library 3.57% - $282.98
• EMS 2.85% - $222.24
• Hospital 2.57% - $151.47
• Transit 2.12% - $160.53
• Port 1.03% - $102.61
• Flood .92% - $69.26
• STATE Taxes $2467.16 (schools, fire, roads, parks & recreation) 

Total 2026 taxes may increase from 2025 owing to voter approved levies, bonds and the 1%/year allowable increase.  

In 2024 voters passed a 14 cents /$1000 property tax for the King County Mental Health Crisis Centers; and King County's homeless hotel.  LWSD passed a  6-year $676.9 million construction levy refresh measure. EvergreenHealth District No. 2 is proposing a 50 cents/$1000 levy lid-lift August 2025; and King County is proposing a 23 cents/$1000 parks, trails & open space 6-year levy refresh August 2025.

To check out the tax data on your home:  

https://localscape.property/#kingcountyassessor/My-Property

-- Bob Yoder, 7/25/2025

EvergreenHealth Levy Lid Lift History And Growth Milestones

Lid Lift History and Growth Milestones

How much will your property tax rise?

EvergreenHealth Services/Levy Lid Lift FAQ

EvergreenHealth website

King County Council Approves Sales Tax, Prevents Cuts To Safety

King County Council Approves Safe and Stable Communities 0.1% Sales Tax to Prevent Devastating Cuts to Public Safety.   

Today, July 23, 2025, the King County Council voted 8-1 to approve the Safe and Stable Communities Sales Tax, a critical measure to protect public safety, preserve essential services, and stabilize King County’s budget amid a projected $160 million deficit.

Vote "yes" for Osman

Osman Salahuddin was appointed to the 48th Legislative District and now faces a Primary to keep his position. 
 Osman also currently serves as a Redmond city council member. 

                     

As your representative in the Washington State House for the 48th Legislative District, I am deeply honored to listen to your concerns and be your voice in Olympia.

I approach governance as a collaborative effort rooted in listening, understanding, and action. As we move forward together, I remain focused on addressing the issues that matter most to our district.

One of the greatest challenges we face is the rising cost of living. Addressing the interconnected needs of housing, childcare, healthcare, and economic stability requires thoughtful, comprehensive strategies. To better accomplish this work, I am honored to serve as a member of the House Capital Budget, Civil Rights & Judiciary, and Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committees.

My office is here as a resource for you and your family. Often, we can help you directly, but if for some reason, we don’t have all the answers, we can connect you with others who can help.

It is an honor to serve the people of the 48th District.

Sincerely,

State Representative Osman Salahuddin

EvergreenHealth CEO Honors King County Paramedics

Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACPEttore Palazzo, MD, FACP • 1st1stChief Executive OfficerChief Executive Officer
3 days ago • Edited • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn

It was an honor to be present today for the graduation ceremony of Class 51 of the King County Medic One Paramedic Training Program. These exceptional individuals, along with those who came before them and those who will follow, carry forward a proud tradition of delivering some of the highest quality prehospital emergency care anywhere in the nation. Their dedication, skill, and service are a true credit to our community.

-- CEO Ettore Palazzo, EvergreenHealth

Redmond Art Walk

 

Downtown Redmond Art Walk Returns to Downtown Park

REDMOND, WA - Redmond will host the Downtown Redmond Art Walk (DRAW) for a third year, beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, in Downtown Redmond. This celebration of creativity and beauty brings together Redmond’s local artists and businesses for an evening of art and encourages community members to support local artists, merchants, and vibrant arts organizations.

From 4 – 7 p.m., Downtown Park will feature art installations, performances, and live mural painting curated by the City’s Cultural Arts Program. There will also be opportunities for the community to connect with City Councilmembers, and share their perspectives on the importance of art that will be incorporated into the Public Art Master Plan. Participating businesses will join in celebrating local talent through exhibitions, poetry readings, live music, and more.

“Downtown Redmond Art Walk showcases our community’s talented local artists and businesses,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “I’m excited we are continuing this event for a third year as we celebrate the dynamic and creative spirit of our city.” 

In addition to the art in Downtown Park, the City will provide a map for self-guided tours of the participating businesses that will showcase artists that evening. This one-night experience is made possible thanks to a generous Arts Sustained Support grant from 4Culture.

For information about the event and how to get involved, visit redmond.gov/DRAW.

--Redmond.gov

Redmond Launches Its First-Ever Tree Giveaway

 

Redmond Has a goal of 40% tree canopy by 2050

REDMOND, WA - For the first time, the City of Redmond is launching a free tree giveaway to help grow the City’s urban forest and reach the goal of 40% tree canopy cover by 2050, as supported by the Tree Canopy Strategic Plan, Redmond 2050, and the Environmental Sustainability Action Plan.

“From enhancing the richness of life in Redmond and improving our health to protecting our streams and hillsides from erosion, trees provide countless benefits to our community,” said Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. “Trees are also an essential part of our City’s commitment to improve environmental sustainability and mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

Through this new event, Redmond is giving away 500 trees to Redmond residents, groups, and organizations, such as schools, faith organizations, nonprofits, HOAs, and small businesses with fewer than 25 employees within Redmond city limits. Educational materials will be provided to help participants choose, plant, and care for their trees.

The giveaway application is now open. A completed application is required before picking up a tree, as quantities are limited. The giveaway will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at the Redmond Municipal Campus.

Volunteer opportunities are available. For those who want to join the fun but don’t have a space to plant a tree of their own, there will be a community planting event with Green Redmond in October.

To learn more and apply, visit redmond.gov/TreeGiveaway. For questions about the tree giveaway, contact guestservices@redmond.gov.

Plans referenced above:

• Tree Canopy Strategic Plan
• Redmond 2050
• Environmental Sustainability Action Plan

Rep. Osman Salahuddin, 48th District State Primary

As your State Representative, I am focused on delivering results – improving public safety, transportation, and environmental protections while fighting for workers and small businesses. As a Redmond Councilmember and lifelong Eastsider, I understand local priorities: affordable housing, strong schools, healthcare access, and protecting our freedoms. I’m running to continue serving our communities with integrity and a commitment to common-sense solutions.

Endorsed: Senator Maria Cantwell; Congresswoman Suzan DelBene; Governor Bob Ferguson; County Councilmember Claudia Balducci; Mayors of Redmond, Bellevue, and Kirkland; 48th Democrats; WA Education Association; State Labor Council; Redmond Firefighters; Association of WA Business; Planned Parenthood Alliance; and more!

-- King County Elections

EvergreenHealth CEO Reaches Out To Bothell And Woodinville

Bothell City Council 

Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACPEttore Palazzo, MD, FACP 1stChief Executive OfficerChief Executive Officer4 days ago • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn

EvergreenHealth is honored to serve so many vibrant and engaged communities across the Eastside. Thank you to the City of Bothell and the City of Woodinville, Washington for the opportunity to share important updates on the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, and how EvergreenHealth is working to preserve and strengthen essential services for the residents of our hospital district.

-- Linked In

Great Blue Heron, by Reinke

 

John Reinke / Redmond Neighborhood Blog 

"Great Blue Heron with fish." By John Reinke

Painting or Photo?  John Reinke's heron is foraging under the Leary Way Bridge in Redmond.  Great Blue Herons are celebrated as Redmond's "Species of Local Importance". They forage in the riparian habitat of Redmond's streams, wetlands and the Sammamish River. Redmond heron raise their young in the Cottonwood rookeries of Marymoor Park and Issaquah.

Photo by John Reinke, Redmond photographer
Source:  Cathy Beam, Principal Environmental Planner, City of Redmond.

Redmond Code Enforcement Officers

If you have concerns to report like campaign sign placement, commercial signs, and tree removal, please use this link.  Request for Service - Redmond, WA 

­Elena McKee Code Enforcement Officer, City of Redmond
425-448-0964  (cell phone)  425-556-2412 (land line)  emckee@redmond.gov (email)   The Code Enforcement system is used to report non-emergency concerns and is only monitored during City business hours. Our Code Enforcement Team addresses concerns regarding potential code violations on private property like tree removal.  We collaborate with other City departments and Redmond residents to develop and implement solutions for issues related to health and safety codes in our community. Our primary goal is to inform and educate you while promoting voluntary compliance. Please note that the City does not intervene in civil disputes, such as disagreements over property lines, hazardous trees on neighboring properties, or tenant-landlord issues. Please include the following information: Detailed description of the concern Complete details of the location Your contact information Please note this request system is public domain. Any correspondence from, to, or contained in this system is a public record. Accordingly, this request, in whole or in part, may be subject to disclosure pursuant to RCW 42.56, regardless of any claim of confidentiality or privilege asserted by an external party. -- Redmond.gov  6/30/2025

Vote "yes" On Evergreenhealth Proposition 1, Endorsements

EvergreenHealth, Our Independent Community-Owned Hospital

Submitted by: Barb Jensen, Josh Pratt, Kevin Hanson

As a nurse, emergency department physician and firefighter/EMT, we’ve witnessed the health care needs of our communities growing as the region has. We know the Puget Sound area has a critical shortage of available hospital beds and wait times for primary and specialty care appointments can be long. We’ve seen a growing number of healthcare mergers leading to consolidated services and longer travel times for many services.

Proposition 1 will address these challenges and renew support for EvergreenHealth - our independent, community-owned public hospital - to meet the needs of the Eastside on the Eastside.

Vote yes to reduce wait times and expand access. Prop 1 means more physicians and clinical staff and expanded access to primary, emergency, and specialty care including maternity services and behavioral healthcare.

Vote yes to maintain high quality. EvergreenHealth is nationally recognized for its quality of care receiving five stars from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service and ranked a top-50 hospital nationally by Healthgrades. Prop. 1 allows investments to maintain this high quality.

Vote yes to keep quality care close to home and protect local decision-making.  Prop 1 ensures EvergreenHealth stays independent, avoiding the need to merge with a larger organization where services and staff will be consolidated and local residents will likely have to travel to Seattle or other urban centers for many services.

When our families need medical help – in an emergency, for regular check-ups or specialized care – we want to access high-quality healthcare close to home. Join physicians, nurses and emergency responders in voting yes on EvergreenHealth’s Prop. 1 to expand access here on the Eastside and protect our independent, locally-controlled community healthcare.

-- Submitted by: Barb Jensen, Josh Pratt, Kevin Hanson,              www.yesevergreenhealth.com

EvergreenHeath CEO Shares Update With IMAN Co-Founder

EvergreenHealth CEO Ettore Palazzo (left) with IMAN President Mohamed Khaki

"It was an honor to be invited to the IMAN Center of Kirkland to share an update on the Eastside’s community-owned hospital system. At EvergreenHealth, we view every opportunity to connect with the community we serve as a true gift. A special thank you to Mohamed Jawad Khaki—Co-Founder, President, and Director of the IMAN Center—for extending the invitation and facilitating such a meaningful and engaging evening together."

-- CEO Ettore Palazzo    

Downtown Station Light Rail Mural

Light Rail Line 2 Downtown Station Art Mural / photo Yoder

This 8'x4' piece sits on a pedestal directly north of the light rail bicycle/pedestrian trail.  It visually screens some buildings.