Our online utility bill pay system is currently down. The software vendor is looking into the issue. In the meantime, we will not proceed with shut-offs as scheduled for 2/28/23 and will update the timeline when the system returns. You can still pay by credit card, check or cash at City Hall.

Legislative Agenda

Download the 2024 AgendaDownload

Support local decision-making authority

  • All legislation should follow the Association of Washington Cities’ core principles:
    • local decision-making authority
    • fiscal flexibility and sustainability
    • equal standing for cities
    • diversity, equity, and inclusion
    • strong Washington state partnerships
    • nonpartisan analysis and decision-making.
  • State legislation should work with cities, not micromanage them.
  • State legislation should share resources with cities rather than unfunded mandates.
  • State should revise the arbitrary property tax cap & continue investments in infrastructure (AWC priorities).

Watching Bills Still Alive from 2023

Beneficial – Please Approve

  • HB 1597/SB 5571 – Reduce frivolous public records act lawsuits. Sumner supports transparency as well as updating outdated code to also protect taxpayer funds from frivolous or vindictive efforts.
  • SB 5770, HB 1670, SB 5618 – Revise the property tax cap to inflation and population up to 3%. Cities cannot keep providing the same service when inflation/costs far outpace revenue.
  • SB 5517 – Foster Legislation, supported by cities but opposed by tribes/environmental groups. Lasting legislation can include statewide flexible water right mitigation standards and sensible use of groundwater models when evaluating groundwater applications.

Suggested Improvements

  • Efforts to increase affordable housing around transit. Acknowledge differences between routine transit stations, like bus, light-rail, versus commuter stations, like Sumner’s Sounder station. Support rather than supplant local housing action plans to bring more housing while protecting community character.
  • Any updates regarding PFAS in water systems. Any legislation regarding further testing/regulation of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” needs to include funding or resources and cannot be an unfunded burden placed on cities alone.

Concerning

  • SB 5514 makes it illegal to turn right on red within vicinity of schools or parks. Difficult to sign & enforce.
  • SB 5383/HB 1428 makes it legal to cross streets anywhere. Creates pedestrian safety issues while increasing civil liability for cities.
  • HB 1025 eliminates qualified immunity for law enforcement and creates a civil cause of action against police and police departments. Shifting liability further limits ability to insure law enforcement services and retain officers.
  • HB 1445 gives Attorney General’s Office (AGO) the right to investigate and bring charges against law enforcement agencies for violations of any law. Layers of oversight are already available and should not move into the political realm, further challenging recruitment & retention.
  • HB 1513 Prohibit most traffic stops and require onerous reporting if an officer did do a traffic stop. Decreases traffic safety and does not support State’s Target Zero effort.
  • HB 1579 creates an office of independent prosecutions of police officers within the AGO office. Unnecessary; oversight is available and should not move into political realm.
  • SB 5274 removes the requirement that an officer read and write in the English language. The ability to read and write English is still needed to effectively provide public safety services.
  • Since 2020, our insurance premium has increased 199%. Oppose any effort to expand tort law liability and/or the remedies available under tort law. Cities and their risk pools cannot shoulder the staggering costs imposed by legislative changes.

Continue reforms that improve public safety

  • Provide tools to address auto theft and property crime, including increased state funding to support regional enforcement and prosecution efforts.
  • Provide ongoing, stable funding for both co-responder programs and therapeutic courts to hire and retain staff.
  • Refine the pursuit policy to allow for the pursuit of stolen vehicles, given the number of criminals who use stolen vehicles to facilitate other crimes, and allow local jurisdictions to individually continue with their current policy against all pursuits if they consider that to be the best choice for their community.
  • Amend the law to allow for a parent or guardian to provide consent of a juvenile to be interviewed by law enforcement to include consent to search property.
  • Provide more spots at the Basic Law Enforcement Academy and remove the 25% cost share; change the policy on
  • when an agency can be placed on the wait list.
  • Help cities recruit and retain police officers for public safety (AWC priority).
  • Provide behavioral health resources (AWC priority).

Continue investments in infrastructure

NEED: Restore funding for the SR 167 and I-405 corridor projects. A new southbound HOV lane was funded and ready to go, but budget pressures delayed this critical project for a number of years.

NEED: Fund a Funding and Implementation Plan for the SR 167 corridor master plan. WSDOT completed a major planning effort on the Corridor, but phasing and funding of projects on the corridor was not included; creating a Funding plan is the next step.

UPDATE: White River Restoration Projects – Habitat project and Stewart Road Bridge (see below) under construction, two of the key projects being done in partnership with Tribes, Pierce Co and other partners to reduce flood risk to Sumner’s Manufacturing Industrial Center while improving habitat for endangered salmon runs.

UPDATE: Stewart Road Bridge – Replacing this bridge removes a bottleneck for vehicles, links non-vehicular routes with a separated trail and helps the White River and its salmon flow more smoothly. Construction begins in 2024, thanks to funding from TIB, FMSIB and other sources.

UPDATE: 166th/SR410 Interchange – The City is in the process of designing this interchange for improved access and safety. Related, adjacent culvert project has shown increase in salmon spawning in the appropriately named Salmon Creek.

UPDATE: Valley Ave/SR410 Interchange – Unlike 166th, WSDOT is leading this interchange upgrade. City continues to urge WSDOT to work with the City for most effective results.

UPDATE: Rainier View Park Covered Court – A contractor has been selected and construction is underway. Funded by Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) grant and the State’s Local Community Project Program (LCP).

Thank you for your continued support!

Contact Us

Mayor Kathy Hayden, 253-299-5790, khayden@sumnerwa.gov

Jason Wilson, City Administrator, 253-299-5501, jasonw@sumnerwa.gov

Carmen Palmer, Communications Director, 253-299-5503, carmenp@sumnerwa.gov

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