Shoreline Proposition 1 passing decisively

Shoreline Proposition 1, "Basic Public Safety, Parks and Recreation, and Community Services" Maintenance and Operations Levy.

By Diane Hettrick

As of Friday, November 12, at 4:05 pm, Shoreline Proposition 1 is passing with a generous margin. The measure required a 50% vote. It has 56.2%, Yes votes are 11,835 and No are 9,225.

Voter turnout was fairly high in this election, as well, with 68.7% of registered voters casting ballots.

The measure allows the City to raise the Tim-Eyman inspired 1% cap on property taxes for six years, to maintain the current level of services.

The City staff, in numerous presentations to the public, said they had been making economies, streamlining, cutting expenses, and using rainy day funds, but had reached a point where income had to be increased or cuts would be necessary which would be unwelcome to the citizens who routinely expressed their pleasure in living in a "Most Livable City."

Support Shoreline, the committee of citizens advocating for the Proposition, chaired by Carolyn Hope, reminded people of what they liked about living in Shoreline and that the Proposition was needed to keep the Shoreline they knew.

No On Prop 1, the committee advocating against the Proposition, said that times are really bad and this is the wrong time to raise taxes. They worried about people losing their homes because of the increased taxes. Major funding for the No campaign came from local businesses whose owners do not live in Shoreline, but who were presumably concerned about increased taxes on their business property.

Non-profit, enrichment organizations were very concerned about the possibility that the Proposition would fail. Community agencies such as the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council, the Shoreline Historical Museum, the Center for Human Services, and the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center, do not depend fully on the City's support, but they do get what is for them a sizable amount of money from the City. Losing it would be a blow to their operations, which are already under stress because of the economy. In addition, Lake Forest Park voters turned down their Proposition 1, which left the community institutions which get support from both cities wondering about their futures.

They still have to absorb the cuts in the Lake Forest Park budget, but Bob Lohmeyer, Director of the Senior Center, voiced what many of the non-profits were feeling.

“With the successful passage of Shoreline Proposition 1 the citizens of Shoreline entrusted city government to insure that the services that make Shoreline such a great place to live; Public Safety, Parks and Recreation, and Community Services; are maintained and strengthened. The Senior Center is proud to be part of a community that values services that enhance the life of the community and its residents.”

Citizens got the point. In response to debatable complaints that Shoreline had high taxes, local environmentalist Larry Owens, in a comment on the SAN Facebook page, said,

"We, the citizens of Shoreline VOTED for our schools, voted for our parks, voted for the services we want in order to make/keep Shoreline a great place to live, to work, and to raise a family. The NO folks blast that we have higher taxes. DUH, we want better schools, better parks, and better programs than that large city next door!"

The Mayor and City Council, most of whom actively advocated for the Proposition, were understandably pleased with the outcome of the election. 

Mayor Keith McGlashan stated, “On behalf of the City Council, we are grateful for the support and trust of the Shoreline community.  The community’s trust obligates us to continue to be good stewards of their tax dollars.” 

The Shoreline Council and staff have been clear, however, that Proposition 1 is not the solution to everything and the City will continue to be diligent about containing costs, increasing efficiencies, and looking for ways to increase revenue through robust businesses, both those already located in Shoreline, and new businesses.

Shoreline City Manager Robert Olander says, “Speaking for City staff, we appreciate the community’s approval of Proposition 1.  The community’s support reinforces our commitment to increasing efficiencies and providing exceptional customer service.”

The City Council is scheduled to adopt the 2011 budget on November 22 at its regular meeting. All meetings are located at City Hall and start at 7:00 pm. Budget information can be found on the City's website.