6-25-2026 2:08pm

LFP City Council Member, Paula Goode Weighs In On Upcoming Levy LID Proposal

Chris Clasen Editor

The City is making preparations to ask voters again for a levy lid lift in November's elections. Last year, the city asked for a 0.24-cent levy lid lift, which equates to an additional $24 per month for a home with a total assessed value of $ 1 million. Come November, the city will likely ask voters to approve a 0.22-cent levy lid lift, which amounts to about $18 per month for a home assessed at $ 1 million. Council member Paula Goode had this to say about the work in progress:

A year ago, Lake Forest Park voters narrowly rejected a levy lift by just 18 votes.

At the time, I struggled with the discussion—not because I opposed a levy, but because I believed we were having the conversation in the wrong order.

My concern was straightforward: before deciding how much additional revenue the City needed, we first needed to determine what we were trying to accomplish. What level of reserves should the City maintain? How should we prepare for future infrastructure needs and unexpected expenses? What level of financial stability should residents reasonably expect from their City government?

At that time, I didn't believe those questions had been fully answered. Over the past year, however, I have watched the City undertake the thoughtful financial planning that I believed was necessary. The Council has adopted a reserve policy, established a Strategic Opportunity Fund, refined long-term financial projections, and spent considerable time discussing how to build a sustainable financial future. Those conversations have been more deliberate, more transparent, and more focused on long-term stewardship than they were a year ago.

I also believe former Councilmember Jon Lebo deserves recognition for his role in that process. Throughout the levy discussions, Jon consistently emphasized the importance of establishing reserve policies, developing long-term financial projections, and identifying objective financial targets before discussing levy rates. While not everyone agreed with him at the time, many of the budgeting practices and financial tools now being used reflect the approach he advocated. Although Jon is no longer on the Council, I believe his persistence in asking difficult questions helped strengthen the City's financial planning.

I also want to recognize Finance Director LindseyVaughn. Throughout this process, Director Vaughn invested countless hours refining the City's projections, developing long-range budget models, and helping the Council better understand the relationship between revenues, expenditures, reserves, and future obligations. Her professionalism and willingness to continually improve the City's financial analysis have provided the Council and the public with a much stronger foundation for making informed decisions.

As someone who has spent a great deal of time reviewing the City's finances, my perspective today is different from it was a year ago—not because the need for City services has changed, but because the financial framework supporting the discussion has matured.

Today, we have adopted reserve policies. We have clearer long-term projections. We have established financial targets and a more disciplined approach to planning for the future.

Based on the information available today, it appears to me that a levy rate of approximately $0.22 best aligns with the City's adopted reserve policy, updated financial projections, and long-term planning. It is neither the highest nor the lowest number possible. In my opinion, it represents a balanced approach that helps meet the City's identified financial needs without asking taxpayers to contribute more than is reasonably necessary.

Reasonable people may still disagree, and that is healthy. Good public policy benefits from respectful discussion, careful analysis, and differing viewpoints.

Sometimes, local government is criticized for failing to learn from experience. In this case, I believe we did. Staff, Finance Director Vaughn, City Administrator Ohil Hill, former Councilmember Jon Lebo, my fellow Councilmembers, and many engaged residents invested the time necessary to better understand the City's financial future. The result is a budgeting process that is more transparent, more disciplined, and grounded in adopted financial policies.

Each resident will make their own decision. I simply wanted to share why my perspective has changed after following this process closely over the past year.

For me, that has made all the difference.

The views expressed here are my own and do not represent an official position of the Lake Forest Park City Council.

Paula Goode