Outgoing Mayor Honored for Contributions to City
Salim Nice, who has served as a City of Mercer Island elected official for the past eight years, will be stepping down from his position at the end of the month. To mark this transition, the City Council – during its Dec. 2 meeting, the last presided over by Nice – issued a resolution that honors Nice’s many accomplishments and contributions through his dedicated service to the City.
"Serving as Mayor and on the City Council has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” Nice said. “Mercer Island is a special place, filled with dedicated residents who care deeply about our community. What it has meant to me is the chance to give back to the city that has given my family so much.”
Before the Council voted to adopt the resolution, each Councilmember spoke about the positive impact of Nice’s public service to the Mercer Island community, as well as several community members during the meeting’s public comment period.
“You are one of the hardest working people in government ever,” said Councilmember Ted Weinberg. “I never cease to be amazed by the time you put into this job and the depth of your understanding of the issues facing this City.”
In referencing the text of the resolution, which includes three pages of Nice’s accomplishments, Deputy Mayor David Rosenbaum said, “This is an extremely long list. On every single issue, you have just great understanding. Salim puts in more time than I think anyone recognizes. There is nothing you wouldn’t do for the City.”
Nice was first elected to the City Council in 2017. The next year, he was appointed to serve as Deputy Mayor, and then as Mayor in 2022, a position he has held ever since.
During his eight-year tenure on the Council, Nice and fellow councilmembers, working collaboratively with staff, and community stakeholders, notched a long list of accomplishments in areas such as crisis response, infrastructure upgrades, and community enhancements that have helped to ensure Mercer Island remains a safe and thriving place for all residents. Highlights include:
- Leading the City through the water transmission pipe leak emergency and conservation efforts that lasted 120 days in 2024.
- Securing more than $7 million in federal stimulus funds that were invested in public infrastructure and human services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Transitioning to a regional fire services model and partnership with Eastside Fire & Rescue, enhancing the City’s public safety capabilities.
- Overseeing improvements and enhancements to many of the City’s parks, including the Bike Skills Area and other renovations at Luther Burbank Park.
“I'm most proud of how we navigated challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple water emergencies with resilience and collaboration, while making historic investments in our parks, public safety, and environmental initiatives. These accomplishments reflect the hard work of our entire team, and I'm excited to see Mercer Island continue thriving,” Nice said.
As Mayor, Nice has also effectively represented the Mercer Island community regionally and at the state level. He has been active on the King County Growth Management Planning Council (GMPC) and helped secure $4.7 million in state funding for projects including the Luther Burbank Park waterfront improvements and the new water supply pipeline replacement project.
Nice grew up on the Island and has deep roots here, where he chose to raise his family. He has championed family-friendly policies – such as the interlocal agreement that allows City employees to enroll their dependents in Mercer Island School District.
“I would like to add a word of thanks for the support of my wife, Janice, and our son, Elliott, who has seen me serve for almost his whole life. Hopefully my service to the community will leave a lasting mark and plant a seed for him,” Nice said.
In the immediate future, Nice will serve on the transition team of newly elected King County Executive Girmay Zahilay.
