Proposition No. 1
                                        We Can Do Better

In July, the City Council voted to place Proposition 1 — a 33% Lake Forest Park property tax increase — on the November ballot. Along with two of my colleagues, I voted no.

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I want to be clear: I fully support public safety and the men and women who serve in our Police Department. Lake Forest Park is one of the safest cities in Washington, and I intend to make sure it stays that way. As Budget Chair, I’ve worked to fund replacements for our aging police vehicles so officers have safe, reliable equipment. This year, we also added a position focused on traffic safety.

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Public safety is fully funded for this year and next, with reserves in place to cover services for the next six years. That means Proposition 1 is not needed to protect police services in the near term. Please don’t be misled by claims that failing to pass it will cause cuts to public safety — that is simply not true.

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The issue is whether a 33% increase is justified. At a time when families are already struggling with rising costs, I don’t believe it is. That’s why I proposed a compromise: a smaller levy, about half the size. Unfortunately, the Council did not consider it. Instead, the larger increase was advanced to the ballot.

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Lake Forest Park has a history of failed levies because residents want more transparency and accountability. I believe the solution is a Citizens Fiscal Sustainability Commission to bring community expertise into city budgeting, review spending, and test levy options before they reach the ballot.

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We can do better. Now is not the time for a massive tax increase. It’s the time for thoughtful planning, accountability, and collaboration.