King County Local Voters Pamphlet
September 18, 2001 Primary and Special Elections City of Carnation - Proposition No. 1
PROPOSITION NO.1 Shall the City of Carnation, Washington, be authorized to levy an excess property tax for three years beginning in the year 2002 for collection in the years 2002 through 2004 in the amount of $108,000 each year, which is estimated for 2002 at 0.81 mils per $1,000.00 of full assessed value, and this levy for the purpose of providing funds for police services, all as provided in Resolution No. 266? YES __ NO __
If approved by the voters, this proposition will provide $108,000 for each of the next three years to cover increased contract costs for police services. The levy is necessary to maintain the existing staffing level of two full time officers and one part time chief. The Police Protection Excess Levy is anticipated to increase the tax rate over last year's rate by .81 mils per thousand of assessed value in the first year, decreasing to .78 mils in the second year and to .75 mils in the third year.
The City of Carnation began contracting for police services with the King County Sheriff's Department in 1999. Prior to contracting with King County, we regularly passed police levies of up to $95,000 to fund police operations. When we contracted with King County, we qualified for a one-time, three-year, $62,000 per year federal grant. Due to the grant expiring this year we are forced to return to our tradition of helping fund the police through this process. 100% of these funds will be used to help pay for police services at the current level of two full-time officers and a half-time chief, and will contribute over 25% of the total police budget. The levy will continue to provide us with experienced and trained officers. In addition, county officers routinely use our police facility to complete reports and other related business. This increases overall police presence and reduces emergency response time. This continued level of police protection will cost the owner of a $200,000 home less than $14 per month. As a former mayor, local business owner, and former reserve police officer, we urge you to vote YES for this needed police protection. STATEMENT PREPARED BY: DAVID H. HUNTER, ERIC TORRISON, WILLIAM PAULSEN
Police levies are a reality with Carnation's small business tax base. Passing this levy will continue our current 2.5 full-time officers directly serving Carnation. Many citizens are concerned we don't have enough police presence now. Failing this levy could eliminate 1 full-time officer and reduce our coverage by 40%. Do not allow our police services to be reduced by 40%, vote YES for Public Safety and continuing our existing Police Coverage.
If you are tired of carrying on the "tradition" of paying for essential services by 'special levies,' now is the time to change that. Think of this levy in terms of your own budget. If your expenses exceed your revenue you look for ways to cut back expenses. The same should be true for essential city services. Instead of funding officers and a supervisor in Carnation at certain times of the day the contract could easily be reduced so that King County officers respond to calls for service when needed. Spend less money and you likely won't notice the difference in service. Police services should be essential services funded by the taxes already received by the City. Let's start a new tradition, staying within budget. Police services should NOT have to be funded by special levies. This levy will cost you $162 the first year on an average home value of $200,000. Vote NO on this levy and let's buy only what we can afford. STATEMENT PREPARED BY: STEVE OSTERDAY
If we're only losing $62,000 per year of grant money, why then do we need nearly double that to replace it? If county officers routinely use our office for other related business and that is translated into a benefit to us, then we could realistically get by with less in contracted services and stay within budget. I don't buy their arguments! If you don't either, vote NO on this levy.
NOTE: The Division of Records and Elections is not authorized to edit statements, nor is it responsible for their contents.
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Updated: September 1, 2001
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