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Presenter urges support for Proposition One to shore up Kenmore's finances
Summary
In the State of the City address the presenter framed fiscal sustainability as the top priority, cited rising police costs (40% of the general fund; 37% since 2020), noted the council recently approved a 0.1% sales tax and said Proposition One (a levy lid lift) will appear on the November ballot to fund climate, housing and human services.
Presenter delivered the City of Kenmore's State of the City address, calling fiscal sustainability the top priority as the city plans for uncertain economic conditions and rising costs.
"We need to balance our budget," the presenter said, calling out that police services account for about 40% of the city's general fund and that police costs have risen roughly 37% since 2020. The presenter said the council has approved a 0.1% sales tax increase earlier this year and "we did put a proposition on the ballot that will be coming to the voters in November." The measure, described by the presenter as a levy lid lift (Proposition One), would fund climate action, affordable housing and human services; the presenter said the cost to the average owner of a $1 million home would be "about $1 a day." (Presenter)
The presenter outlined a three-part strategy for fiscal sustainability: increase revenue where allowed under state law, leverage grant funding for capital projects, and reduce or right-size expenses. To address the largest cost driver, the council has directed the city manager to conduct a police services study (the last such study was done in 2001) to evaluate whether the current King County contract is the most cost-effective option. The presenter said the study could confirm the existing arrangement but that the review is a duty to taxpayers.
Budget timing and next steps: departments were asked to develop options for the 2027-28 budget this year; the presenter said the city will pursue voter approval of Proposition One in November and continue refining department plans ahead of budget adoption in the fall.
No formal vote totals or ordinance numbers were provided in the address; the presenter cited actions already taken (council approval of a 0.1% sales tax increase) and a ballot placement for Proposition One.
