Author: amymcforduvall

Thank you, Duvall!

amymcforduvall

Thank you to everyone who came out to wave signs this week!

Every honk, wave, and smile reminds me how special this community is — and how many people care deeply about Duvall’s future. Seeing so many friendly faces out there means the world to me.

Campaigns are built on teamwork, and I’m so grateful for every single person who’s taken time out of their day to stand on a corner, wave a sign, and share a little positivity with passing neighbors.

You make this campaign what it is — community-driven, hopeful, and full of heart. The messages I’m receiving just tonight of neighbors letting me know they have already voted for me is incredibly humbling. Thank you for showing up for Duvall! 💙

A few things

amymcforduvall

As ballots arrive, I’ve noticed heightened online discussion and some understandable questions about the city’s budget.

Maintaining fiscal responsibility is essential — I agree we should never shift new costs onto residents without careful scrutiny. But claiming a blanket “$2 million deficit” without context is misleading.

First, municipal budgets are made up of multiple funds; a shortfall in one doesn’t automatically mean a crisis across the board. Second, Duvall maintains healthy reserves and mitigation funds precisely to absorb swings. Third, promising “no tax increases, no burden to residents” may sound reassuring, but real balance often requires tough choices: trimming non-essential programs, renegotiating contracts, prioritizing capital projects, or phasing adjustments over time.

As a voter, I’d want to hear how a candidate plans to make those trade-offs — which cuts they’d propose, or how they’d involve the community in that discussion.

As mayor, I’ll continue to insist on transparency: show which line items are unsustainable, present real alternatives, and walk residents through the trade-offs. I won’t rely on slogans or vague assurances. If there’s a structural gap, we’ll address it steadily and openly — not ignore it. Because trust is built by showing your work, not by promising the moon. Our full budget is online and available to the public here: https://stories.opengov.com/…/published/6MBzSG4wW… I’ll be looking to make this information even more accessible and understandable for residents moving forward.

The City Council recently approved a 0.1% sales tax dedicated to public safety. You can read more here: https://www.duvallwa.gov/…/AB-25-46—Ordinance-1340-on…

As our levy that funds the School Resource Officer at Cedarcrest High School expires in December, it was essential to identify a sustainable funding option for that position and for our police department overall — both of which remain high priorities for our community. Unlike levies, which expire after a set term, this sales tax provides a stable, long-term funding source that ensures continuity in public safety services without repeated renewal campaigns.

Throwback Thursday

amymcforduvall

Throwback Thursday to the day I stepped into my first youth mentorship session — not really knowing what to expect, just knowing I wanted to give back. I remember wondering: Would I be helpful? Would I connect?

What I’ve learned since then is that mentorship isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about showing up, being present, and believing in someone even if they don’t yet believe in themselves.

I am grateful for that first step and grateful for every conversation since. Investing in our youth is how we keep Duvall strong!

3 Key Messages

amymcforduvall

I recently completed Ballotpedia’s candidate questionnaire — it’s a great opportunity to share more about why I’m running for Mayor and what guides my leadership.

But I’ll be sharing a few highlights here over the next week, starting with this question:

Q: Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

My Answer:

Steady, Experienced Leadership

• With eight years on the Duvall City Council and three as Mayor Pro Tem, Amy McHenry brings deep, hands-on experience in city operations, budgeting, and policy development. She has served on committees for finance, public works, and public safety, and represented Duvall regionally on boards addressing transportation, housing, and environmental planning. Her leadership is defined by collaboration, preparation, and accountability—ensuring decisions are well-informed and community-centered. Amy’s steady, consistent approach provides continuity and trusted guidance as Duvall navigates growth, infrastructure needs, and fiscal challenges.

Balanced Growth and Infrastructure

• Amy is committed to managing growth responsibly while preserving the small-town character that makes Duvall unique. She supports long-range planning that connects new development to infrastructure capacity, public safety, and environmental protection. Her priorities include maintaining roads and utilities, improving transportation safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, and expanding walking and biking connections throughout the city. Amy also emphasizes fiscal discipline—ensuring infrastructure investments align with community needs and budget realities. Her goal is a balanced, sustainable path forward that supports families, local businesses, and Duvall’s rural surroundings alike.

Transparency and Community Connection

• Transparency and accessibility are central to Amy’s public service. She believes residents deserve to understand how decisions are made and to have genuine opportunities to share input. To strengthen communication, Amy created “Council Chats” and community surveys, inviting direct dialogue and feedback on city priorities. She values diverse viewpoints and believes collaboration builds stronger, more lasting outcomes. Whether working with residents, city staff, or regional partners, Amy strives for an open, respectful approach that keeps the community at the heart of every decision. Her leadership reflects integrity, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to public trust.

More to come soon—but if you’d like to dive into my full Ballotpedia profile, you can read it here anytime: https://ballotpedia.org/Amy_McHenry_(Mayor_of_Duvall…

A Better Way to Build Duvall’s Budget—Together

amymcforduvall

Over the past week, I’ve shared how Duvall’s budget actually works—how our funds are structured, why reserves matter, and how we plan for stability and transparency. Now I want to talk about what comes next—and how I’d like to do things differently as Mayor.

Creating a city budget isn’t just about numbers. It’s about values, priorities, and trust. Some parts of the budget are non-negotiable—things we’re legally required to fund. Others are the community’s clear priorities—like safety, infrastructure, and parks. And then there’s a small portion that’s discretionary, where we have room to make meaningful choices.

That’s where you come in.

I want Duvall residents to have more than a seat in the audience—I want you to have a seat at the table. That’s why I plan to introduce “Balancing Act” workshops, where the community can walk through the real tradeoffs that go into building our biennial budget. These sessions will make the process interactive, educational, and collaborative—so everyone can see how decisions are made and share input before the budget is finalized.

A transparent budget process shouldn’t just inform people—it should invite participation. Together, we can make sure every dollar reflects the priorities of the people who live here.