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We want to inform Lake Forest Park residents about the important steps the City is taking to address ongoing budget challenges. In a November 2024 survey, four out of five residents expressed confidence that our community is headed in the right direction. However, a major concern remains: the cost of essential services is rising far faster than the City’s revenue.
Lake Forest Park relies primarily on property taxes to fund basic services like police, parks, and city planning. Yet, the City receives only a small portion—less than 8 cents of every dollar—of the property taxes paid to King County. Despite increasing property values, state law limits the City's annual revenue growth from property taxes to just 1%. As a result, for 2025, the City gained only $34,500 in additional revenue. Meanwhile, costs for 911 dispatch and jail services alone have increased by $481,000.
To address this budget gap, the City Council is exploring solutions beyond the significant cuts already made. Our goal is to secure long-term financial sustainability while maintaining the quality and level of services our community needs and expects. A strong, effective police department remains a top priority, as reflected in the survey results.
We encourage all Lake Forest Park residents to engage in this ongoing conversation with city leadership. We will keep you informed about opportunities to participate as this process unfolds. In the meantime, you can learn more at www.cityoflfp.gov/704/Discussing-Budget-Challenges or reach out to any of us directly with questions.
Sincerely,
TOM FRENCH, Mayor
City of Lake Forest Park
206-368-5440
tfrench@cityoflfp.gov
PHILLIP HILL, City Administrator
City of Lake Forest Park
206-368-5440
phill@cityoflfp.gov
MIKE HARDEN, Police Chief
City of Lake Forest Park
206-957-2851
mharden@cityoflfp.gov
I can tell you are hurting for money - that's why you sent us all postcards asking us to fill out a climate impact survey. That's a nice-to-have, not a core service. Same goes for your on-staff Arborist, mailed newsletters, the money you've spent pushing back on Sound Transit rapid ride, and the waterfront park design you are advancing that will saddle the city with ongoing M&O costs for years to come. All of these are expensive choices, not core services.
ReplyDeleteHow much park land have you acquired in recent years? When you were adding this land (and taking it off the tax rolls) - what was your plan to take care of it? Did you have a plan, or just assume residents would approve a tax increase?
ReplyDeleteHere's an idea - disincorporate LFP and merge with Shoreline or Kenmore - both of which seem to be running their cities more compently than you are.
ReplyDeleteHere's another idea - get rid of the Mayor position, and reduce the number of councilmembers to three or five. Go with a pure Council/Manager system of governance. That would be real savings, and better reflect the level of governance needed for a 13K population town.
So - are you asking us for a tax increase? With a likely recession ahead?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your continued transparency and communication ! LFP Resident.
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ReplyDeleteIs this letter an example of what you are paying the levy consultant $96k for? If so, I'd ask for a refund.
ReplyDeleteI actually hosted a neighborhood meeting at my house back in 2010 to support that levy increase. Back then, I believed LFP was being run competently and needed the money. I would NEVER host such a meeting for this levy lift. This Mayor and Council are spending money they don't have for things they can't afford. I used to tell people how great LFP was - focussed on basic services, police patrolled my neighborhood, streets were plowed. Not anymore.
ReplyDeleteThank you for representing LFP values and sharing the fiscal obstacles we face. The only way to solve it is together.
ReplyDeleteTo the poster about your 2010 meeting regarding the past levy. Snow plowing? Police? Hmmm... I have had nothing but immediate response to 911 calls. I live on a cul-de-sac and they still plow here. LFP has increased it's budget reserves and requirements dramatically. Any property that they have bought has been with grants and revenues that cannot be used for general operations. They have cut expenses and are completely understaffed. I'm confused- what is your specific issue? Or are you anti-government in general?
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