When I say I am from Kirkland, the response usually is enthusiasm for the city, if the other person is at all familiar with it. People like our quality of life, our walkable community, our lake access, our parks. Similarly, Kirklanders, when asked why they choose to live here usually cite the same quality of life reasons. Today, I am going to share with you some of the Kirkland budget cuts slated for next year if the private utility tax does not pass this November. I will then try to relate this back to our quality of life.

I will start with Parks and Recreation, not only because it is my primary area of interest, but because cuts proposed to that department will directly impact Kirkland citizens and visitors, and the biggest cuts are to this department. The budget document lists the estimated reductions for this one Department at just over $136,000 next year. The next two highest Department impacts are to Police (elimination of one supervisory position, just over $104,000) and Fire and Building (just over $109,000 of which over half is elimination of Volunteer Fire Fighter compensation ($60,000)).

First, the cuts affecting Community Services – youth and senior programs. This division will be reorganized, and many programs eliminated or cut back. Eliminations include Northwest Senior Games, Senior Council Health fair, educational videos, pedestrian safety program, Blue Fish Festival, participation with Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition, and Eastside Healthy Start. Support will be reduced for a number of other programs. Community Services offices will be closed, and hours reduced at the main parks administration 505 office.

Senior van services will no longer be subsidized. Riders will be asked to pay $2.50 per trip. There will be a sliding scale for those who cannot afford the full fare. There will be no Senior Center Special Events such as holiday celebrations, steppers lunches and themed walks.

The above reflects the information I was able to glean from the city budget cut summary I have, but I urge that if you missed Debra Sinick’s article in the Oct. 14 Reporter, and you are interested in impacts on seniors if Prop.1 fails, please read it.

Parks Planning and Community and Intergovernmental Coordination: One Park Project Coordinator position and the Juanita Ranger program are eliminated. Department GIS mapping capabilities are eliminated. Coordination and support for inter-departmental service teams and inter-governmental local and regional planning efforts are reduced, along with the ability to seek and pursue grant opportunities to support park projects from outside funding, and there will be reduced staff support for the Park Board.

Landscape maintenance: Irrigation, night and weekend coverage are reduced, eliminating seasonal labor hours as well as another 1.5 full-time grounds positions. Garbage cans will be removed from many neighborhood parks, landscape bed irrigation eliminated, and restrooms cleaned less often among other impacts.

Parks will no longer provide Mutt Mitts. Swimming and Athletic Fields: Overall lifeguard hours reduced at, per the list, Waverly Beach and Houghton Beach parks. Athletic Field maintenance is reduced. Friday Night Market at Juanita Beach will be contracted out. Market profits, not the general fund was paying for this administration, but contracting out the management is expected to net some revenue to the city general fund.

Summer Concert series is eliminated totally, after being cut in 2009. Contracted Maintenance of Public Art: eliminated. In general, having reviewed the budget impact summary for non-passage of the private utilities tax, I believe there are significant negative quality of life effects. In addition to this partial list, maintenance of public walkways, neighborhood grants, and other programs are at risk, and I will address them at a later date. The tax is estimated to cost $6 a month per family or $72 a year. The choice is the voters’, based on their cost/benefit analysis, priorities and values.

Janice Johnson is a Volunteer Ranger at Juanita Bay Park and a WNPS Native Plant Steward.