[EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written and submitted by verified resident. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of South King Media, nor its staff.]

Many of us attended or watched the Des Moines Study Session last night discussing the looming distressful situation the City finds itself in financially.

Here we are AGAIN after the public voted against this outrageous increase in our property taxes with a clear “NO we don’t support this,” yet the Council is putting it back on the ballot in November.  

We need to reiterate once again why this is such a bad idea in case anyone missed it the first time. There are approximately 12,500 households in DM – many are middle and lower income and city and Council have left us with no choice…Voters in DM must take action to defeat the 57% levy lift tax burden. The burden is way too high.    

The  Citizens Against the Lift Levy will continue our mission: we will make it clear to voters—“there is no plan, no strategy and wasteful spending continues”.

The  City and the Council need develop long term goals to promote business growth by offering short term tax incentives to small businesses. BUT at the same time, cuts must be made to non-essential projects and staff positions. Additionally, “across the board cuts” must be made to each city department and they should remain in place until the deficit is under control. The City took out a $24M loan for frivolous projects as the Marina Steps which would generate zero revenue and bank rolling a passenger ferry out of funds the City doesn’t have and STILL paying monthly consultant fees right now! We the taxpayers have to pay this money back. 


Absence this type of strategy, consolidation or outsourcing of services will need to be seriously considered — possibly with or to our neighbors in Burien, SeaTac, Tukwila and Normandy Park. Stating emphatically — the Citizens Against the Lift Levy will continue our mission: we will make it clear to voters — “there is no plan, no strategy and wasteful spending continues”.

VOTE NO on Proposition One Again.

– Susan White
Des Moines, WA

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