Mayor Josh Amato

04/14/2026

At the Tuesday, April 7 Council meeting I voted to cancel the $265,000 city hall flooring replacement and voted yes on converting the East Sammamish Park baseball fields to synthetic turf. Different votes, same standard: can we defend this spending to the people paying for it?

I break down both decisions and share a new idea about ballfield sponsorships in my latest post.

How I'm thinking about your tax dollars.

03/14/2026

Good turnout at Pine Lake Starbucks this week. Here's what came up.

Utility bills and the cost of living were on people's minds. The ask is simple: if the city is collecting revenue, show what it's being spent on. I agree with that. Fiscal transparency is something I'm going to keep pushing on.

Other topics: undergrounding power lines and loss of power, affordable housing and how we can ensure new families can afford to live here, how city commissions work and how to get involved, support for Sammamish's immigrant community, and making sure the city remains a place people feel welcome.

Also: e-motorcycles on the sidewalks in Pine Lake Village.

I stepped out at noon for a meeting at Redmond City Hall with other Eastside mayors and our Sound Transit representatives — King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci, Redmond Mayor Angela Birney, and Renton City Councilmember Ed Prince. Mayor Birney convened the meeting ahead of Sound Transit's board retreat where they will be working through the their financial challenges.

My message was straightforward: don't cancel the Issaquah Light Rail station. Sammamish residents have been paying a significant amount in taxes for light rail (our North Sammamish Park & Ride was already cut) and we need that connection. I'll keep making that case.

I'll be at the Pine Lake Starbucks next Friday, 9 AM - 4 PM. You can schedule in advance or drop in. More info here: https://mayorjoshamato.com/p/coffee-with-mayor-josh

03/10/2026

Starting Friday, March 13, I’m holding weekly office hours at the Pine Lake Starbucks (3016 Issaquah-Pine Lake Rd SE). If you have something on your mind — a concern, an idea, a question about what the city is doing — come find me.

You can schedule a time in advance through Microsoft Bookings. Drop-ins are welcome too. If I’m not already in a meeting with someone, I’m happy to talk.

Scheduling link in post:

Every Friday, let's chat over coffee. No agenda required.

03/06/2026

Here are some upcoming City of Sammamish and community meetings you may be interested in. Schedules may change, so please double check with the hosting organizations.

City of Sammamish - Governmentt meeting details found here: https://sammamishwa.civicweb.net/

Rotary Club of Sammamishmish meetings here: https://sammamishrotary.org/pages/meeting-speakers

Sammamish Seniors Program details here: https://iacswa.org/.../sen.../cross-cultural-senior-program/

Email your request to be included to [email protected].

02/20/2026

In a tight budget year, I don't believe we should spend $30,000 on a survey that council cannot meaningfully tailor and that does not help us make real tradeoffs.

Council delayed a final decision for about a month so we can consider better options. I present background and my thoughts in this post.

In a tight budget year, I don't believe we should spend $30,000 on a survey that council cannot meaningfully tailor and that does not help us make real tradeoffs.

02/19/2026

Here are some upcoming City of Sammamish and community meetings you may be interested in. Meetings and events are subject to change after publication. Please double check with official sources. Email your request to be included to [email protected].

City of Sammamish - Government meeting details found here: https://sammamishwa.civicweb.net/

YMCA/Sammamish Community and Aquatic Center event details: https://www.seattleymca.org/blog/annual-fund-drive-2026-150-years-all

Rotary Club of Sammamish meetings here: https://sammamishrotary.org/pages/meeting-speakers

02/14/2026

This week I spent time in Olympia with mayors from across Washington, and back home in Sammamish in meetings where residents were asking us to “stop” something already too far along in the process.

By the time something reaches a permit counter or a final vote, the big choices are usually already locked in.

02/14/2026

Post from February 6: What’s been happening at City Hall, what I’ve been pressing on, and how I’ll give you a real behind-the-scenes look at the decisions that affect Sammamish.

30 Days In: What’s been happening at City Hall, what I’ve been pressing on, and how I’ll give you a real behind-the-scenes look at the decisions that affect Sammamish.