LFP Levy Lid Lift proposition scheduled for August 17 primary

The Lake Forest Park City Council voted to place Proposition 1, a levy for retention of basic public safety and other services, on the August ballot.

Proposition 1 asks the citizens of Lake Forest Park to vote on whether to retain basic public safety, parks, community and other services. If approved, the proposition would increase the property tax levy above the limit set by I-747 to $1.85 per $1000 of assessed value. The six year levy amount would increase by inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

This increase amounts to about $11.53 per month for the first year for the average household in Lake Forest Park. The revenue will be used to pay for the current level of services.

“We have cut services down to the bone,” said Mayor Hutchinson, “now the citizens get to decide if we will keep the current level of services.”

City Council Members said they did not want to increase taxes without a vote of the citizens.

The City has already reduced its 2009-10 budget by $931,000 and laid off 8% of its employees, due to structural budgetary problems caused by 1-695 and 1-747 and exacerbated by the current economy. The City is facing a projected budget deficit of $692,000 for the year 2011.

If approved, this levy would fill the budget gap projected for 2011, and allow the City to avoid the need for additional public safety, parks, community and other governmental service reductions; staff layoffs; or utility tax or rate hikes.

The Mayor has been holding a series of Community Conversations to explain the issues to voters.

More information is available on the City website.