The Kirkland City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting Proposition 1, the renewal of the King County Veterans and Human Services Levy during its meeting on Tuesday.

During the meeting, council members praised the effectiveness of the levy, and heard testimony from several Kirkland residents and staff from local human services organizations.

“This is exactly the kind of program that the public wants to see,” said Councilwoman Jessica Greenway. This funding “… enables people to become productive citizens, to overcome their difficulty and make progress in life. I think this is a very productive program, and I am happy to support it.”

Since 2005, Veterans and Human Services Levy has improved the lives of more than 82,000 veterans, their families, and others across King County. The levy supports essential services like employment training, veterans’ treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), housing with support services, and services for new mothers and infants.

Voters approved this levy with overwhelming support in 2005.

In May, the King County Council unanimously voted to place a renewal of the levy on this year’s primary ballot. Proposition 1 would renew the current levy for six years at the current rate of 5 cents per $1000 of assessed home value. It does not include a tax increase from the existing rate, and if approved, the average homeowner would invest $17 annually.

“It’s not raising taxes; it’s just continuing something we already have,” said Councilwoman Doreen Marchione.

Bill Hallerman, Kirkland resident and director of Catholic Communities Services (CCS) in King County, told the council that in the past few years, “More people have come to our agencies for help than ever before,” and the number of families asking for help has nearly doubled. “The Vets and Human Services Levy is really, really important. It just does a tremendous amount of good for vets and folks who need help.”

Council members also heard testimony from Jennifer Davies, Kirkland resident and board member at Hopelink, which provides employment services for very low-income individuals and families who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless. Since 2008, with the support of levy dollars, Hopelink has helped 184 individuals obtain or increase employment.

“These are folks who are actually willing and ready to work, but don’t have the skills to make it happen for themselves,” said Davies. “Levy funds allow us to increase self-sufficiency of local residents, and our communities are the stronger for it.”

Levy expenditures are carefully planned and overseen, and that oversight will continue if the levy is renewed. Two non-partisan citizen oversight boards determine how money is spent and hold programs accountable. The boards ensure that use of every tax dollar is maximized and have made recommendations to ensure the renewal is even more effective in meeting the changing needs of returning vets and families grappling with the recession.

Programs funded by the Veterans and Human Services Levy have a proven track record of saving tax dollars and making a difference for veterans and others in King County. Eighty-four percent of veterans served by the King County Veterans Program improved their housing, employment, or income, and 95 percent of veterans receiving treatment for PTSD showed reduced symptoms.

Federal statistics are finding that more than 20 percent of recently returned, young soldiers are unemployed, and 90 percent of Iraq/Afghanistan soldiers have experienced trauma.

“We need to keep doing this and more (for our veterans),” said Councilman Bob Sternoff, “but at least we can keep this funding going.”