This Week in Renton: Finance Department awarded State Auditor's Award
Published on September 12, 2025
Only five out of 2,400 government agencies that are audited each year in Washington are recognized by the State Auditor’s Office. This year, Renton’s own Finance Department was one of those five!
During Monday’s council meeting, State Auditor Pat McCarthy, Deputy State Auditor Kelly Collins, Assistant Director of Local Audit Wendy Choy, and Audit Manager Paul Griswold presented the award to the City of Renton’s Finance Department.
The award highlights the city’s commitment to the audit process, transparency, and accountability.
Congratulations to all 27 members in the Finance Department for receiving the State Auditor’s Stewardship Award (SASA).
Read more at rentonwa.gov/sasa.
WSDOT closure on southbound I-405 this weekend
Southbound I-405 will be closed from Coal Creek Parkway Southeast (Exit 10) to Sunset Boulevard Northeast/Southport Drive (Exit 5) from 11:30 p.m. Friday, September 12 to 4 a.m. Monday, September 15. Southbound I-405 drivers will take Exit 10 to Coal Creek Parkway Southeast, Duvall Avenue Northeast, and Sunset Boulevard Northeast to access southbound I-405.
Get disaster-proof with CERT classes
When disaster strikes, will you be ready to act? The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program empowers you with the basic knowledge and skills to take action during an emergency.
CERT teaches you how to respond to disasters in your neighborhood with a combination of classroom and practical "hands-on" training.
Topics covered during the weekly sessions include:
- Personal preparedness
- First aid
- Fire suppression
- Search and rescue
- Terrorism
- Team organization
CERT graduates serve as neighborhood "first responders" during the critical period after a disaster when existing resources are overwhelmed.
The Fall 2025 CERT session begins Thursday, October 2 at 6 p.m. for seven weeks, concluding with a final drill on Saturday, November 15. Ages 18 and up.
Looking for other ways to get involved or learn more? Check out these options:
What will the World Cup mean for Renton businesses?
Renton businesses are invited to a free workshop, Is Your Business Game Day Ready? on Thursday, September 25, at Hyatt Regency Lake Washington (1053 Lake Washington Blvd N.).
This session will provide strategies to help businesses of all types leverage the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Seattle, and Renton as a team home base -- covering ways to discover resources and grants for small businesses, hear local plans to support Renton businesses, and get updates on city coordination and event safety.
Featured speakers include the Seattle Metro Chamber, Renton Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Renton’s Community & Economic Development department.
Register at startup425.org.
Volunteers come together for a Day of Service
Last Saturday, 450 volunteers in the greater Renton area came together for the annual Day of Service honoring those impacted by 9/11.
In Renton, 49 volunteers with Renton Parks & Recreation worked across two sites, spreading playground chips and making improvements at Thomas Teasdale Park and picking up litter and setting up lunch at Liberty Park.
Also in Renton, 13 volunteers with the Public Works Department marked 107 storm drains in northeast Renton neighborhoods with “Only Rain Down the Drain” decals. The group also distributed information door hangers with “10 ways to prevent stormwater pollution”.
After the morning of service, the volunteers came together for a BBQ lunch at Liberty Park.
Thank you to all of our staff, volunteers, and partners for making an impact and supporting our community including:
- Councilmembers James Alberson Jr., Ruth Perez, and Carmen Rivera
- The city’s Parks & Recreation Department and Public Works Department
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Village Concepts of Fairwood for providing refreshments
- Rain City Catering for supporting lunch
Join our volunteer community by creating a volunteer profile at rentonwa.gov/volunteer.
Three weeks left of the Renton Farmers Market season
The Renton Farmers Market’s final day of the season is Tuesday, September 30. In addition to all the farmers, food, crafters, kids’ fun & live music every week, don’t miss these remaining 'extras’ during the weekly market!
September 16
- Sustainable Renton
- Live music by Danny Godinez
September 23
- Pop up with a Cop with Renton Police Department and Renton Regional Fire Authority
- Communications & Engagement Division
September 30
- Final market day
- Live music by Biff Moss
The Renton Farmers Market runs every Tuesday until September 30 from 3 to 7 p.m. On Williams Avenue South between South Second and South Third Streets.
Final 2025 Recycling Event on Saturday
Our third and final recycling event for 2025 is tomorrow, Saturday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Renton Technical College Parking Lot 3 (3000 NE Fourth St.). At this free event, we’ll be collecting Styrofoam, plastic bags, and shredding confidential materials. We’ll also be collecting food donations for the food bank.
Find more details and other recycling services at rentonwa.gov/recycleevents.
Around Renton
The Renton Farmers Market has MOVED! Find the market at its new temporary location on Williams Avenue South between South Second Street and South Third Street. The market is open every Tuesday until September 30 from 3 – 7 p.m. rentonfarmersmarket.com
Renton City Council meets every Monday (excluding fifth Mondays and holidays) at 7 p.m. at Renton City Hall’s seventh floor council chambers. Find the agenda and sign up to speak at rentonwa.gov/council.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is open for registration. Learn the basic knowledge and skills to take action during an emergency at rentonwa.gov/CERT.
September 13 - Recycling Event: Styrofoam, Plastic Bags, Document Shred, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Renton Technical College Parking Lot #3, 3000 NE Fourth St. Hosted by the Public Works Department. Free.
September 23 – Pop Up with a Cop at Renton Farmers Market, 3 – 7 p.m. Williams Avenue South and South Third Street. Hosted by the Renton Police Department and Renton Farmers Market. Free.
September 24 - Neighborhood BBQ - Cascade Neighborhood, 3 - 6 p.m. Cascade Park, 16165 126th Ave. SE. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Free. Register here.
September 25 – Is Your Business Game Day Ready? 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, 1053 Lake Washington Blvd N. Hosted by Startup425 and the Community & Economic Development Department. Free. Register here.
September 26 - Senior 50+ Resource Fair, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Ave. N. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Free. Register here.
September 26 - Coffee with a Cop at the Senior 50+ Resource Fair, 10 - 11 a.m. Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Ave. N. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation in partnership with Renton Police Department. Free.
September 27- Halloween Costume Swap, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Highlands Neighborhood Center, 800 Edmonds Ave. NE. Hosted by the Renton Municipal Arts Commission and the Public Works Department. Free. Please donate clean, good-condition costumes (all sizes) to the Highlands Neighborhood Center, Renton Community Center, and Renton City Hall between September 14-26.
September 27 – Family Field Day, 1 – 3 p.m. Liberty Park, 1101 Bronson Way N. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Free. Register here.
September 30 – Renton Farmers Market Closing Day, 3 – 7 p.m. Williams Avenue South between South Second Street and South Third Street. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Free.
October 2 – Community Emergency Response Team, 6 – 9 p.m. Renton Regional Fire Authority Station #14, 900 Lind Ave. SW. Hosted by Renton Regional Fire Authority and the Executive Services Department. Free. Seven-week commitment. Register here.
October 7 – Scout Night, 6 – 8 p.m. Renton Fire Station #14, 1900 Lind Ave. SW. Hosted by Renton Regional Fire Authority and Renton Police Department. Free. Register here.
In other news this week