Reminder for all Community Center patrons!.. We will be closing the building for staff training, all day and evening on Monday, October 9.  In order to better serve you, we are implementing a new course registration and facility-booking software system.  This means we've got something new to learn and will be in training all day on October 9.  Thank you your patience and we look forward to launching our new system in January.  We're back to our regular hours on Tuesday, October 10.  Questions? -- Please call  Lauren Chomiak (206) 275-7852 or email  lauren.chomiak@mercergov.org

Last week, MIPD Bicycle Officers participated in the annual Lakeridge Elementary third grade Bike Rodeo, teaching bike safety, assisting with a bike skills course, and properly fitting bike helmets. After completing the rodeo, children can ride their bikes to school with parental approval. Today, MIPD Bike Officers were at all four elementary schools emphasizing pedestrian and bike safety and "Sharing the Road" principles.

With school back in session and fewer daylight hours, it's a good time for drivers to exhibit extra caution around children bicycling and walking through neighborhoods. The MIPD reminds all drivers to follow these tips:

--Allow extra time for increased school zone traffic, and schoolbus congestion, and remember that children may dart out from stopped school buses.  Passing a school bus that has its lights flashing and stop arm out can lead to a $394 fine, and is noted on your driving record.

--When you approach a crosswalk, always give the right-of-way to the pedestrian. If you're making a turn, scan the road closely before turning. One thing you may have forgotten since Drivers Ed: any intersection, whether marked or unmarked, is technically a crosswalk!

Know the rules.

-- Poor weather and wet road conditions add to your vehicle's stopping distance.

--Leave your smartphone alone: this applies to drivers ( see new distracted driver law) but is also a good idea for pedestrians too.

It's also good time for parents to make sure children understand how to ride safely and predictably, and how to stay visible. Learn more from this handy two-pager factsheet .   

The City of Mercer Island in 2017 once again passed an independent audit by the Washington State Auditor's Office (SAO), marking at least 22 years in a row of clean audits - a very uncommon accomplishment.  The full audit is available on the State's website (enter "Mercer Island" in the search box).

No other indicator provides a better measure of an organization's financial management practices, says City Finance Director Chip Corder.  "Taxpayers on Mercer Island can feel good about the City's long history of strong stewardship of public resources," he said.

All local governments in Washington are audited regularly by the SAO, in accordance with state law. It is a detailed process that takes several months to complete and rigorously  assesses how the City manages, uses, and safeguards public resources, and determines whether the City's financial statements are accurate and complete.

Mercer Island also has a "Aaa bond rating" with Moody's, the best possible rating. "When it comes to making investments in capital projects, that top rating allows us to procure the best possible financing rates," says Corder, "which keeps our City's costs down."  

To see the City's prior years of financial reporting, click here.

Across the Lake Washington, Cedar River, and Lake Sammamish watershed (which contains Mercer Island) many different events are planned or underway.  Learn more about   Salmon Seeson here.  The closest venue for Islanders is Bellevue's  Kelsey Creek at the Mercer Slough.