Sammamish property tax hike unlikely
November 25, 2009
By J.B. Wogan
By J.B. Wogan
The Sammamish City Council is leaning against raising the property tax in 2010.
During the Nov. 17 council meeting, the council asked for a 2010 budget that forgoes a 1 percent increase, the maximum amount allowed by law.
The council is scheduled to vote on the budget Dec. 1. It approved a preliminary 2010 budget in December 2008, but the contraction of the real estate market, combined with increasing police costs and some new Public Works needs all called for adjustments.
The city would give up $200,000 if it does not increase taxes.
One resident, George Toskey, told the council that they should consider the perspective of residents.
“Given the depressed economy, most residents probably expect a tax break rather than a tax increase,” he said. Toskey then acknowledged the difficulty of keeping up with several cost increases while the city’s revenue sources are depleted.
“I’m not sure how I would vote on this issue,” Toskey said.
Another resident, Cindee Jobe, gave impassioned testimony against raising taxes.
“I have lived on the lake for 35 years. I have watched my property rights be taken away and my property taxes go up,” she said. “To me it’s unimaginable that you would raise them again.”
Deputy Mayor Jack Barry said he was giving serious thought to whether the city was doing everything it could to avoid raising taxes.
He referenced the council elections and an October debate between the council candidates.
“All the candidates in the debate, with the exception of Mr. Gerend, said that they would not raise taxes,” Barry said.
Of the seven candidates who made that campaign promise, only Barry currently sits on the council.
City Councilman Lee Fellinge said he recognized how limited the city’s revenue-gathering options were, but was also cognizant of how the recession was affecting residents.
He said the unique economic hardships facing individual residents called for not increasing property tax collections in 2010.
“It makes it a little harder,” Fellinge said. “This is the year that we do that. I think the symbolism is important.”
City Councilwoman Nancy Whitten said she, too, wanted to forgo collecting more from property taxes in 2010.
“I realize that we need to be very, very careful,” Whitten said. “I just don’t think it’s the time. I think we need to be compassionate.”
While city revenues appear to be taking a hit — from a 20 percent decrease in what it collects in sales taxes to lower collected impact fees — several expenses would go up in 2010.
The Public Works Department is asking the council to double the amount it spends on repairing city roads (from $1 million to $2 million). City Manager Ben Yazici said repairing small problems in the road network now would help the city avoid more extensive and expensive repairs in the future.
He added that two consecutive winters of extreme cold had left cracks and pot holes that the city needs to address.
The Police Department is asking for a new detective, which would cost an additional $118,000 a year.
Police protection is increasing for another reason as well. Police officers and sergeants are also due to receive a 5 percent salary increase in 2010.
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com. To comment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
The Sammamish City Council is leaning against raising the property tax in 2010.
During the Nov. 17 council meeting, the council asked for a 2010 budget that forgoes a 1 percent increase, the maximum amount allowed by law.
The council is scheduled to vote on the budget Dec. 1. It approved a preliminary 2010 budget in December 2008, but the contraction of the real estate market, combined with increasing police costs and some new Public Works needs all called for adjustments.
The city would give up $200,000 if it does not increase taxes.
One resident, George Toskey, told the council that they should consider the perspective of residents.
“Given the depressed economy, most residents probably expect a tax break rather than a tax increase,” he said. Toskey then acknowledged the difficulty of keeping up with several cost increases while the city’s revenue sources are depleted.
“I’m not sure how I would vote on this issue,” Toskey said.
Another resident, Cindee Jobe, gave impassioned testimony against raising taxes.
“I have lived on the lake for 35 years. I have watched my property rights be taken away and my property taxes go up,” she said. “To me it’s unimaginable that you would raise them again.”
Deputy Mayor Jack Barry said he was giving serious thought to whether the city was doing everything it could to avoid raising taxes.
He referenced the council elections and an October debate between the council candidates.
“All the candidates in the debate, with the exception of Mr. Gerend, said that they would not raise taxes,” Barry said.
Of the seven candidates who made that campaign promise, only Barry currently sits on the council.
City Councilman Lee Fellinge said he recognized how limited the city’s revenue-gathering options were, but was also cognizant of how the recession was affecting residents.
He said the unique economic hardships facing individual residents called for not increasing property tax collections in 2010.
“It makes it a little harder,” Fellinge said. “This is the year that we do that. I think the symbolism is important.”
City Councilwoman Nancy Whitten said she, too, wanted to forgo collecting more from property taxes in 2010.
“I realize that we need to be very, very careful,” Whitten said. “I just don’t think it’s the time. I think we need to be compassionate.”
While city revenues appear to be taking a hit — from a 20 percent decrease in what it collects in sales taxes to lower collected impact fees — several expenses would go up in 2010.
The Public Works Department is asking the council to double the amount it spends on repairing city roads (from $1 million to $2 million). City Manager Ben Yazici said repairing small problems in the road network now would help the city avoid more extensive and expensive repairs in the future.
He added that two consecutive winters of extreme cold had left cracks and pot holes that the city needs to address.
The Police Department is asking for a new detective, which would cost an additional $118,000 a year.
Police protection is increasing for another reason as well. Police officers and sergeants are also due to receive a 5 percent salary increase in 2010.
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com.
Other Stories of Interest: Sammamish City Council
Comments
Got something to say?
