Toni Troutner is running for reelection to the Kent City Council.

Troutner was elected to a four-year term in 2017 when she easily defeated Tye Whitfield for Position 4. Troutner replaced Dennis Higgins after he decided not to run again.

“Taxpayers across our city are asked to pay more and more and yet our basic quality of life doesn’t significantly improve,” Troutner said in a March 29 press release. “As your City Council member I believe it is my job to ensure that local government is living within its means. I support investment in high quality services but I also support being a better steward of taxpayer dollars and budget prioritization.

“Over the past four years I have worked hard to represent Kent residents locally and across the region. It is important that Kent’s voice is heard and we have a seat at the table. It is the only way to make sure our needs are being met. As funding decisions are being made at the regional and state level, it is my responsibility to make sure Kent is represented.”

Nobody has announced plans yet to challenge Troutner for the seat. The King County Elections filing period is May 17-21.

Troutner, the council president, said she championed the use of $2 million of federal CARES Act funds to go to local businesses for support during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also supported the use of body-worn cameras by police officers for transparency and building community trust.

Troutner is currently chair of the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority Governance Board and previously served as chair of the council’s Public Safety Committee.

Troutner said she helped guide the council through important conversations around racial equity.

“I believe it is paramount that we provide equitable services and opportunity to all our residents,” she said. “During the budget process, I supported the creation of a race and equity manager. I am looking forward to implementing the first Race and Equity Strategic Plan for the city of Kent.”

Troutner wants to see certain city services expand.

“I live here, have raised my family here and plan to call Kent my home forever,” she said. “We have a responsibility to the over 130,000 residents, hundreds of city staff members and the taxpayers of Kent to ensure each voice is brought to the table and that we deliver high quality city services. We must expand our police department, ensure our roads are maintained and inviting to guests and renew our commitment to parks and human services.”

Prior to her council election, Troutner served as a local PTSA president, commissioner on the Civil Service Commission of the Puget Sound Fire Authority and was a Kent Downtown Partnership board member.