In a recent move towards ensuring a smooth transition of police services, the City Council of North Bend has unanimously approved a new Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with the City of Snoqualmie. According to a report by North Bend's official announcement, this agreement, which was also unanimously passed by the Snoqualmie City Council, lays the groundwork for the King County Sheriff’s Office to assume policing responsibilities from April 1, 2026.
As part of the agreement, Snoqualmie has agreed to dismiss the lawsuit it filed against North Bend, which will help to largely amicably resolve the cities' differences over policing. Until the end of March 2026, the Snoqualmie Police Department will continue to provide services to North Bend, offering a sense of continuity before the King County Sheriff's Office steps in. In a statement released by the City of North Bend's website, Mayor Mary Miller recounted the extensive negotiations, noting, “This is a significant moment in our local history.”
North Bend officials emphasize the focus on long-term financial sustainability and the safety of residents as central to this journey towards a new policing structure. Per City of North Bend's announcement, Mayor Miller further stated, "Maintaining the safety and well-being of residents while also ensuring long-term financial sustainability is of paramount importance. This week, we have reached a milestone, the result of extensive, thorough and sometimes contentious discussion." The cities are to continue receiving high-quality police services, a priority for both communities.
To address the needs of both cities during the transitional phase, the new ILA includes specific terms that are supposed to aid in providing economic and service level certainty. North Bend Mayor Pro Tem Mark Joselyn reflected on the complexity of the process, mentioning in a report by the City of North Bend's statement, "It’s been a long journey. It was a difficult decision, but it was well considered, studied and researched. [The new ILA] will allow us to move forward." The partnership is expected to enable both North Bend and Snoqualmie to more effectively plan for their respective futures.
Details on the process and negotiations leading up to the new ILA, which have remained thorough, transparent, and data-driven according to the council, can be found on the 2025 Police Services webpage of the City of North Bend. Both parties anticipate that the carefully planned transition will ensure residents will continue to enjoy the level of service they expect from their police departments.
