LFP needs to raise taxes but wants your input by Wed, Nov. 20th

According to Municipal Services Manager/City Clerk Matthew McLean, the city paid a consultant (Olympic Research and Strategy) $30,000 to get feedback on your budget priorities. You only have two more days to do so and you'll need the unique code mailed to you with the survey and on a reminder postcard. 

The current 1% property tax revenue cap equated to just under $34,500 collected for 2024, creating significant budget challenges. One of the unavoidable costs was an increase of $284,000 for 911 dispatch services, caused partly by a radio and dispatch upgrade to "Project 25," a sophisticated digital radio system also used by the United States Department of Defense and Washington State Patrol. This included the construction of a new 911 call center called NORCOM located in Bellevue. 

Mayor Tom French reminds us that traffic camera revenue "must go to pedestrian safety and Complete Streets for sidewalks, crosswalks, and other safety improvements. These revenues cannot go to the General Fund." The city's 2025-2026 traffic safety camera fines budget is estimated to be $8 million, up from just over $1 million projected for the 2023-2024 budget. Out of that, there are associated costs like ticket processing and review by the court and police department. Mayor French and the City Council have some exciting projects in mind for the use of those funds. 

You are encouraged to let your voice be heard and take advantage of the city offering to gather your input during this process.  

Here's a summary of tax initiatives in recent history courtesy of Jeff Snedden:

• Lake Forest Park:
  • Proposition 1 (November 2, 2021): It authorized a maximum regular property tax rate for collection in 2022 of $1.57 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, representing an approximate $0.59 per $1,000 increase to fund projects and services identified in the city's Safe Streets reports and Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails (PROST) plan. Did not pass with 63% voting no.
  • Proposition 1 (2010): In 2010, Lake Forest Park proposed a property tax levy increase, did not pass with 78% voting no.
• Kenmore:
  • Walkways and Waterways Bond Measure (2016). Authorized the City to issue up to $19.75 million in general obligation bonds to fund various pedestrian, bicycle, and waterfront improvement projects. Passed 63% of voters.
• Shoreline:
  • Proposition 1 (November 8, 2022) restores Shoreline’s levy rate passed on 2016 to help fund police/neighborhood services, including RADAR and crime prevention; preserves parks, trails, playgrounds/playfields; and provides human services. It restored Shoreline's property tax levy rate to $1.39 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to pay for safety services, including neighborhood safety patrols and the RADAR program, as well as parks, recreation, and community services. The proposition also set the limit factor for levy increases in 2024-2028 at 100% plus annual inflation. Passed by 70%.
  • Proposition 1 (February 8, 2022): This measure authorized the city to issue up to $38.5 million in general obligation bonds to improve and construct city parks, including playgrounds, splash pads, sports courts, and trails. Approved with 69.97% of the vote.
  • Proposition 1 (November 6, 2018): This measure proposed 0.2% sales and use tax within the city for 20 years to fund sidewalk and pedestrian improvements. The proposition was approved by voters. The additional sales and use tax ends in twenty years.
  • 2016 Proposition 1 levy set to raise $1.2 million annually for 20 years through the 0.2% sales tax increase. Over the full 20-year term, the total revenue generated was projected to be around $24 million dedicated to improving pedestrian and sidewalk infrastructure, enhancing safety and accessibility throughout the city.
• Bothell:
  • Propositions 1 and 2, November 6, 2018. These measures aimed to enhance public safety services. Proposition 1 was an operations levy funding additional police officers, firefighters, and other public safety services. Proposition 2 authorized bonds to replace two fire stations. Passed by 53%.
  • Proposition 1, (November 8, 2016): This nine-year levy proposed a property tax increase of $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value to fund street operations, pavement preservation, and sidewalk and crosswalk construction. For a median home valued at $376,000, this amounted to approximately $188 annually. Passed by 64%.