City of Lake Forest Park
17425 Ballinger Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
www.cityoflfp.gov
206-368-5440

February 2025

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

• The City Shares Survey Results and Next Steps 
• Drive Safe, Arrive Safe: New Speed Limits Coming to Lake Forest Park
• Help Us Welcome Our New Public Works Director

The City Shares Survey Results and Next Steps 

In November 2024, the City conducted a mailed survey of all households. We are thrilled to report that 17% of residents participated — a high response rate for such a survey. An encouraging 79% of respondents indicated that Lake Forest Park is on the right track. This feedback underscores the trust and partnership we share as we work to address budget challenges and maintain the quality of life in Lake Forest Park

Understanding the City’s Budget Concerns 

The purpose of the survey was to share information about the City’s funding, gather input on residents’ priorities and explore potential solutions. While some were aware of the City’s financial challenges, the survey highlighted the need for increased communication.

Here are some key points:

• Costs to provide service are increasing higher than the revenue we have. The City is limited to a 1% revenue increase per year. In 2024, this amounted to $34,500. In contrast, 911 dispatch services and jail costs increased $459,000, and insurance costs rose $109,000.
• The City has cut nearly $500,000 in costs, including $245,000 from staffing and administration; $200,000 from fleet; and $30,000 from operations.
• As you know, we were previously facing a deficit of more than $1.5 million annually. While we’ve made significant cuts of nearly $500,000 and taken other measures, we are still facing a shortfall of close to a half million dollars per year.

 Residents’ Priorities Guide Our Plan 

The survey also asked about priorities. Here are the areas that respondents identified as most important:

1. Maintaining our police department to ensure safety and security.
2. Keeping parks and trails open and well-maintained for recreation and community use.
3. Improving sidewalks around schools to enhance safety for our children.
4. Hiring a grant writer to maximize the impact of tax dollars by securing additional funding.

These priorities will help guide the City as we work to balance the budget while delivering essential services.

Exploring a Temporary Levy 

To address the budget shortfall, fund the community’s priorities, and maintain essential services, the City Council is considering a temporary levy. No decisions have been made yet.

This will be a transparent, public process, with opportunities for residents to give input and help shape the path forward.

Starting February 6, 2025, the City will introduce new speed limits across Lake Forest Park to ensure safer streets for everyone.

What’s Changing? 

• Local Access Streets: New limit: 20 mph (map 1) 
• Arterials/Collectors: New limit: 25 mph (map 2)

Why the Change? 

• To reduce accidents and protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers.
• To foster a more livable, walkable community where everyone can feel at ease.
•  In response to community input and the latest research and safety studies.

Help Us Keep Our Community Safe!

• Follow the new speed limits. 
• Stay alert and mindful of your speedometer.
• Encourage friends and neighbors to do the same.

By embracing these new speed limits, we’re creating safer neighborhoods, protecting our families, and strengthening the sense of community pride that makes Lake Forest Park a wonderful place to call home.

Clean Buildings Accelerator Program Information Session – February 5, 2025

Free Tax Help – Mondays, February 3 – April 14, 2025

New Pollinator Garden at Pfingst Animal Acres Park

In September and October of 2024, a strong collaboration between King County Master Gardeners, Lake Forest Park Rotary, and Interact Students and Counselor from Shorecrest High School embarked on creating a pollinator garden at Pfingst Animal Acres Park in Lake Forest Park. This new garden is an extension of the long-established Animal Acres Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden. The City of Lake Forest Park provided several yards of wood chips for the project. Hopefully the sequential photos will speak for the huge success!! (Photos provided by Master Gardeners).

This space is about 900 square feet and now provides space for 100+ perennial plants that will support many species of birds & native insect pollinators. Previously it was a space that was significantly overgrown with shrubs that did not have high pollinator value.

This project included the following steps: pruning of mature shrubs and trees, removal of weed fabric and grass, planting of perennials, mulching with wood chips and fallen leaves, and providing nesting habitat.

There were over 30 volunteers involved with the new pollinator garden!!

Make Your New Year’s Resolutions More Sustainable! 

Ready to kickstart the year with a positive impact on the planet? Check out these eco-friendly tips from Republic Services to help you stick to your sustainability goals!

For more tips visit: www.RecyclingSimplified.com.