On Sept. 1, 2010, a little piece of Snoqualmie Valley history slipped away, taking 20 years worth of memories and accomplishments with her.
Valley residents are familiar with the name Elena Montgomery, the North Bend Finance Director since 1990. Elena has adorned your television screens on the ever-popular council meeting broadcasts and has made countless presentations to citizens over the years. Elena now has the pleasure of retiring only to watch her co-workers grind away from the safety of her abode on Snoqualmie Ridge.
What a twenty years it has been! Elena has seen North Bend through the construction of the Factory Stores and Nintendo facilities, a ten-year development moratorium, and a bushel full of mayors and council members. Elena came to the city from a company in Redmond so as to eliminate her commute and be closer to her children. Both her kids and the citizens were the winners.
Elena started as an accounting technician responsible for payroll, accounts payable, and business taxes. She even took minutes at the council meeting before a new city clerk was hired. In 1991, she was promoted to accounting supervisor and after taking numerous courses on public finance, was again promoted to finance director in 1996.
During Elena’s tenure as director, the city of North Bend has had 18 consecutive “clean” audits. This is no small feat. The financial stability of the city directly relates to the city’s bond rating, which recently was boosted. Better bond ratings mean lower interest rates and lower taxes. North Bend is the smallest Washington city with such a designation.
Ms. Montgomery guided North Bend through some of its most difficult financial times. By closely watching revenues, and expenditures even closer, the city has endured this most recent recession in an excellent financial position. Elena will be missed greatly for her stability and wisdom. North Bend will miss a dedicated public servant who gave the citizens what they paid for. What could be a more fitting tribute than that?
Duncan Wilson
North Bend City Administrator
