Over recent years the Mercer Island Police Department cut $182,000 in an effort to help the City reduce expenses. The City is grappling with a structural imbalance in its budget: revenues rely heavily on property taxes, which are capped at 1 percent growth per year, and are easily outpaced by staff salaries, the cost of health care, and the cost of materials and supplies. 

The MIPD provides a full range of services which include 24/7 patrol officers, bicycle patrol, marine patrol and dive team, criminal investigations , records and evidence personnel, and the City's emergency preparedness program.

The MIPD cuts included elimination of the Eastside Narcotics Task Force Detective position in 2016, moving officers to a 12-hour shift schedule in order to reduce overtime expenses, and extending its patrol car lifespan from three to four years, making 2017 the fourth year of service for those hard-working vehicles. 

New revenues of $40,000 in 2017 came from a State Parks grant helping cover the marine patrol's special events expenses. The MIPD already receives approximately $80,000 in vessel registration fees and charges the City of Renton $70,000 for marine patrol service; it also receives $25,000 from the School District to partially fund the School Resource Officer's time; and imposes fines for repeated false alarm incidents at the same address.

"The City's ongoing structural imbalance in the budget is definitely a challenge," said Chief Ed Holmes, who's been at the Police Department since 1994. "It means we must continually examine our businesses practices for any additional savings while maintaining the level of service and low crime rates that the community here has come to expect. Responding to emergency calls will always remain our top priority."

The Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce that on January 17, 2018 it will have will have a new registration system in place, allowing for a more user-friendly registration experience, whether online, in-person, or over the phone. 

 

In order to prepare for this new system, online registration at www.miRecConnect.com , and telephone credit card registrations, will both not be available staring December 1; patrons will still be able to view courses online, but unable to register.  

Anyone needing to register for a winter 2018 recreation course, will either need to visit the Community Center in person to make payment, or fill out a printed registration form and mail it with payment (by check) to the Community Center.  Please call staff for assistance or with questions about course availability at (206) 275-7609.

 

We apologize for this inconvenience, and look forward to seeing you in person.  Enjoy a cup of coffee on us when you stop in!

With an average of over 20 electronic products in American homes, there are lots of opportunities to save energy in every room of the house. Many electronics are given as gifts over the holidays, but did you know that " ENERGY STAR certified" versions are far more energy efficient?  

The next time you are looking for the perfect present, the City urges you to consider the ENERGY STAR rating. Looking for the trusted blue label on these products can help you save energy, save money and protect the environment from climate change -- all while giving you the latest in innovation and technology.  For more detailed information about the ENERGY STAR program, visit the  website.    

Since the June 2017 closure of the I-90 Center Roadway for light rail construction, Sound Transit's contractor has been focusing much of its work on preparing to seismically retrofit the floating bridge and approach structures.

Demolition work continues along the floating bridge, in the Mercer Island tunnel and at the future station area. Recently, noise walls adjacent to the future station platforms began to take shape down at highway level (see photo).

This winter, work will be less visible on the floating bridge, but still very much underway within the pontoons and I-90 tunnels. In early 2018, platform construction begins and both east and west head houses (i.e. entries to the station) will take shape.

Open enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is underway until  January 15, 2018, with outreach events continuing through December all over King County.

 

Insurance plans have changed a lot this year and there are still many affordable choices available.  The best approach is to shop and compare at Washington Healthplanfinder.  

More enrollment information - and a calendar of events - is available at King County's special website:  www.kingcounty.gov/coverage