Priorities

Fiscal Sustainability

Economic Development
Currently, 63% of Sammamish’s revenue comes from property taxes. This over reliance is a long-term financial risk and is a burden on homeowners. I support expanding retail development in the Town Center so that sales tax revenue stays within Sammamish to help fund city services while reducing pressure on residential taxpayers.

Future Funding
To date, Sammamish has never issued a municipal bond to finance capital infrastructure projects. I support offering bonds to fund major infrastructure projects, such as roads, parks, and city facilities. Bonds provide upfront funding for large-scale projects, allowing the city to pay over time. This ensures that both current and future residents who benefit from the projects help cover the cost. Bonds are most cost-effective when interest rates are low.

Environmental Sustainability

Climate Action Plan
The 2023 Climate Action Plan will continue to be a priority for me. Like many cities, Sammamish faces budget constraints, which makes it essential that we prioritize actions that deliver the greatest impact.

I will continue to champion climate-forward initiatives including:

  • City fleet electrification to reduce emissions and fuel costs

  • Solar panel installation at City facilities

  • Transitioning from gas-powered to electric equipment, such as leaf blowers, for City operations

  • Environmentally responsible design in the Town Center.

Solid Waste Management and Diversion
When Sammamish’s current contract with Republic Services expires in 2028, I will advocate for an every-other-week garbage collection option. This alternative would keep weekly recycling and yard waste services while shifting garbage pickup to every other week, ideal for smaller households that generate less waste.

In addition, I’m currently advocating for a policy that would require food establishments to use compostable or reusable serve ware. This initiative supports our broader goals for waste reduction in Sammamish.

Town Center

Housing Diversity
Sammamish is currently made up of 83% large single-family homes. To build a more inclusive and sustainable community, I support increasing housing diversity and affordability. The fully developed Town Center Plan will include 2,000 market rate and affordable housing units. These smaller, sustainably built homes will create opportunities for empty nesters to downsize, young adults to remain in the community, and local workers to live where they work. By concentrating growth in the Town Center, we can meet Sammamish’s housing needs while protecting the character and environment of existing neighborhoods.

Town Center Plan
Sammamish is studying increasing Town Center's housing capacity to 4,000 units through a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). I am committed to reviewing the final SEIS data carefully, balancing concerns about the environment, infrastructure, and emergency response.

The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires cities to "plan for and accommodate housing affordable to all economic segments." Sammamish is obligated to plan for 2,100 affordable housing units, yet the current Town Center Plan falls short of meeting this requirement. It is essential to determine a housing capacity number that meets our GMA legal requirements, reflects our community's values, meets local housing needs, and supports a sustainable future.

Public Safety

Emergency Preparedness
Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. With these rising risks, Sammamish must be ready to respond quickly and protect our community. Emergency planning is an iterative process. I will continue to advocate for improvements including:

  • Expanded community education and evacuation awareness

  • An additional backup generator for city facilities

  • A designated overnight emergency shelter

  • Emergency satellite internet access for communications

  • Maintaining regular tabletop exercises involving city leadership, first responders, and community partners