Sister City students visit Mercer Island
In February, 19 students and four chaperones from Mercer Island’s sister city of Thonon-Les-Bains, France, visited the U.S, completing the second half of an exchange that began last April when Mercer Island High School students visited Thonon.
Staying with host families, the French visitors attended classes at MIHS and enjoyed some sightseeing around the region. The Mercer Island Sister City Association (MISCA) organized the exchange and helped with logistics and chaperones.
Spring recycling event is April 7
Safely dispose of the old equipment, electronics, appliances and other household items that are cluttering your basement or garage at the city’s annual spring recycling event, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 7 at the Mercer Island Boat Launch.
Rain barrels will be offered at a discounted price ($25), as well as document shredding. Donations of non-perishable food or cash for the city’s food pantry are encouraged.
New this spring, motor oil/filters/antifreeze are no longer accepted at the collection events. Islanders can take this material to the city’s Public Works Shop (behind City Hall), open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for free disposal.
Call 206-275-7608 for more.
City receives 23rd clean audit
The State Auditor’s Office (SAO) recently published an independent audit of the city’s finances, marking 23 years in a row of clean audits. No other indicator provides a better measure of an organization’s financial management practices and stewardship of public resources, according to Finance Director Chip Corder.
“I’m pleased to see yet again how well the city’s financial team oversees our finances,” stated City Manager Julie Underwood.
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.
The full audit (from fiscal year 2016) is now available at www.mercergov.org.
