Welcome to the City of Bonney Lake!
The City of Bonney Lake is the fifth largest city in Pierce County and has been one of the faster growing cities in Washington State. The area was established in 1853, but not incorporated until 1949 with just 327 residents. Today, Bonney Lake is home to more than 20,500 residents, with a service population well in excess of 25,000.
Our residents enjoy many city-sponsored events that promote community pride and public involvement. With our natural beauty, lakes and streams, and our friendly people, Bonney Lake is a wonderful place to live, work, shop or play.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]. We hope you find what you are looking for on our website. Thanks for visiting.
Terry Carter
Mayor
Governance
Bonney Lake is organized as a non-charter code city, under the mayor-council form of government. The optional municipal code ('code city'), Title 35A RCW, was devised as an alternative to the existing statutory system of municipal government in Washington. The basic objective of the code was to increase the abilities of cities to cope with complex urban problems by providing broad statutory home rule authority in matters of local concern to all municipalities, regardless of population. Cities operating under the optional municipal code are commonly referred to as code cities.
Under the optional municipal code, cities may take any action on matters of local concern so long as that action is neither prohibited by the State Constitution nor in conflict with the general law of the state. The powers granted to code cities include all the powers granted to any other class of city in any existing or future legislative enactment, unless the legislature specifically makes a statute inapplicable to code cities.
The City of Bonney Lake is led by a publicly-elected Mayor and a seven-member City Council. All members of the City Council are elected 'at-large' and represent the entire City.
Prior to April 2011, the Council consisted of two at-large Council members and 5 Council members who were elected by Ward (district). In March 2011 the City Council approved Ordinance 1383, providing for an all "At-Large" system of Council representation. Per this Ordinance, which took effect on April 7, 2011, the City Council "shall consist of seven members, all of whom shall be elected at large". Councilmember position titles have changed to reflect the all at-large system, and the Ward system is no longer in use.
Our Mission
"The City of Bonney Lake is a balanced community with a residential character that conserves natural amenities while supporting a diverse mix of economic activities. The community provides places for children and residents to meet and socialize, and is a center for diverse cultural and social opportunities such as theater, art, social organization meetings and celebrations. The City promotes a safe, attractive and healthful living environment for residents' various physical, educational, economic and social activities while maintaining an adequate tax base to provide a high level of accountable, accessible, and efficient local government services. The City is an active participant in interlocal and regional services and planning organizations."