Burlington candidate Melissa Koski urges broader resident engagement, cautious fiscal approach

Melissa Koski, a candidate for Burlington City Council at large, told a League of Women Voters candidate forum she would make resident outreach and careful budgeting central to her service if elected.

Koski said the city should encourage diverse participation beyond those who already speak at public meetings and suggested off‑site meetings, one‑on‑one conversations and social media outreach to get input before council decisions. “We should encourage diverse participation that isn’t about politics. It’s about better problem solving,” Koski said.

On finance, Koski said Burlington should “look at the books” and prioritize spending to keep life affordable without raising taxes. She said the council must “be cautious about what we’re spending” and apply cost‑benefit analysis to decide what to proceed with now and what to put on a back burner. Koski said she would avoid measures that “price anybody out of anything.”

Asked about zoning, Koski called for flexibility and use of incentives tailored to different neighborhoods and city goals rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all approach. On proposed battery farms in Skagit County, she said she has no firm opinion but would “want to see the data” behind each proposal and get public input.

Koski opened and closed her remarks by describing Burlington as a “village” she wants to help tend and said she would prioritize streets, parks, safety and a city government that listens.

The forum included an opening statement read for incumbent Joe DeGloria, who was absent and recovering from surgery; DeGloria’s prepared remarks described his 11 years on the council and experience with budgets and city committees.

Koski’s proposals at the forum were primarily about engagement and fiscal caution; she repeatedly framed decisions as contingent on data and public input rather than endorsing specific new policies.