Snoqualmie City Council seeks input on utility rate increases
The Jan. 13 Snoqualmie City Council meeting will include a public hearing at 7 p.m. to collect feedback on potential changes to 2025-2030 city utility rates.
State law requires that the city’s rates for water, sewer and stormwater cover the operations of those utilities. Snoqualmie is conducting a regular review to ensure the revenue from those utilities is enough to cover the cost.
The city council is considering a 4-12% monthly increase to residential bills, a 1-5% monthly increase to bills for multifamily properties and a 4-18% monthly increase for commercial properties, depending on size. The new rates will likely go into effect in February if approved by the city council.
Written comments for the public hearing can be submitted until 5 p.m. Jan. 10 by emailing dgamble@snoqualmiewa.gov.
Snoqualmie allocates $600k to health and human services organizations
Snoqualmie City Council allotted $633,000 of funding for health and human services organizations in its recently improved biennial budget.
Snoqualmie does not have a department centered on health and human services, but it works with local organizations to support Snoqualmie Valley children, seniors and those in need. Organizations like Empower Youth Network, Mount Si Senior Center and the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank, among others, will receive funding from the city in the 2025-26 budget.
The city’s Human Services Advisory Committee accepts applications for funding. The committee prioritizes funding for services that provide food, shelter, youth resources, safe havens from violence and wellness resources.
Duvall Historical Society publishes picture book on town history
“The Wonder of Duvall: The Colorful Story of Real Life in a Small Town” is an illustrated book of Duvall’s history, written by local Brittany Don, with art by local Janet Villella.
Don’s hope is that the book will unite “old Duvall” and “new Duvall,” a city news release said.
“The goal is to encourage every resident … to see themselves as part of the fabric of this amazing town,” according to the city’s announcement.
The book is available for sale on the Duvall Historical Society’s website, at Duvall City Hall and at Duvall Family Drugs. All proceeds benefit the Historical Society.
Snoqualmie Valley Health welcomes new pediatric primary care physician
Dr. Jordan Wallace joined Snoqualmie Valley Health in October. He most recently served in the pediatric cardiology unit at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif., after completing his medical degree at the University of Washington and his residency at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
According to a news release, Wallace focuses on providing inclusive healthcare, informed by his own experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“He is passionate about fostering family relationships, supporting patients in exploring their gender identities and addressing the mental health challenges often faced by gender-diverse youth,” the release said.
Snoqualmie Valley Health announces comprehensive kidney care program
Snoqualmie Valley Health has a new kidney care program led by Dr. Megha Shah, a nephrologist and the medical director of hospital services at Snoqualmie Valley Health.
“Designed to address a wide range of kidney-related conditions, this initiative brings specialized nephrology services closer to home, ensuring expert care for residents of the Snoqualmie Valley,” a news release said.
The kidney care program is ready to diagnose and treat many conditions, like chronic kidney disease and kidney stones, and provide post-kidney transplant care, among other things, the release said.
