Cities across Washington State are being devastated by the economic downturn – Kirkland is no exception. The city has worked hard to provide key services in spite of the downturn, but many valued programs and services have gone onto the chopping block.
In the upcoming election, Kirkland residents will have the opportunity to make a critical decision for our town. On the ballot is a proposal to raise the tax on private utilities by 1.5 percent. Private utilities are gas, electricity, phone and cable. This is about $6 per month for the average Kirkland household – barely the cost of two lattes.
Without this increase, many services and programs will be reduced or eliminated.
The city has been good stewards of our money. Kirkland’s budgets have received the national Distinguished Budget Award for the last 15 years. The financial audits have been flawless since 2001.
The city has prepared two budgets for 2010: one if Prop 1 passes, one if it fails. With your YES vote to pass Proposition 1, we can preserve:
• Our nationally recognized pedestrian safety program
• Public safety programs and a Police supervisory position
• Senior/Youth Services and Programs
• Lifeguards
• Juanita Bay Park Rangers
• Neighborhood Services and the Neighborhood Traffic Control Program
• Quality sports fields
• Garbage cans and open restrooms in our neighborhood parks
• Volunteer firefighter support
For 30 more reasons to support Prop 1, see www.KirklandYES.com
A rule of “pack it in, pack it out” in our neighborhood parks sounds reasonable. But the reality of no trash cans in our parks is lots of trash in our parks. The annual Summer Concert Series is community supported and self-sustaining, but the single part-time staffer who manages the concert series will be let go and the series will be canceled. Other losses include no new pedestrian flag installations and an end to the volunteer Juanita Bay Park Rangers who have protected the wildlife habitat of the park for decades.
The city has already made major reductions including:
• Cut the equivalent of 35 full-time positions
• Froze wages for 2010
• Reduced park maintenance and janitorial services
• Used reserves, including the entire rainy day reserve
This small but necessary utility tax increase will not only address our city’s immediate situation but will also provide a steady and dependable revenue source for our future. In addition, the 1.5 percent increase will give you some control over the average cost of $6 a month because the less energy you use, the less you pay.
The Kirkland YES! committee formed to support the Utility Prop 1 ballot measure. We are a diverse group of citizens from senior council members to park board members. We are business and neighborhood people – all united to help pass Prop 1. We are serious about our city and the quality of life we all share.
In good times and hard times, over our 100-year history, Kirkland residents have supported the programs and services that make our town the most livable city in the state. We know the downturn won’t last forever, and we don’t want to see the city have to dismantle programs that took years to build. This is an opportunity to preserve our quality of life. Vote YES for Kirkland and Utility Prop 1.
Please visit our Web site, www.KirklandYES.com, for more information and how you can help keep Kirkland a wonderful place to live.
Nona Ganz (former Kirkland City Council member) and Andy Held (former park board chair and current chair of the Planning Commission) are co-chairs of the Kirkland Yes! Campaign.
