It is time for taxpayers to circle the wagons again. We are in a recession. Unemplyment is high. People are struggling to keep their homes. And the government’s response: let’s raise taxes. The Washington legislature has already swept aside the will of the people so they could raise taxes without a two-thirds vote.
And now here come the local taxers. The folks in Kingston are faced with creating a whole new tax. The proposed new Metropolitan Park District will add a new property taxing authority. They advertise a tax of about 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed value but the words on the ballot allow them to go to 75 cents. History says it will not take them long to get to the higher number — and then they will be requesting a levy lid lift.
Folks outside of Kingston should not feel safe. Per the North Kitsap Herald,” … if it works in Kingston, it just might work in other places, too.”
This new tax is for recreation. People are losing incomes and homes and they want new taxes for recreation.
Speaking of levy lid lifts, here comes the library again. They are asking to increase their levy 39 percent in 2011 (from 34.5 cents to 48 cents). They tried a levy lid lift in 2007 and it failed largely due to their inability to justify the additional money. This time they have a large ($21.9 million) program of capital projects, including $8.9 million for a new library in Silverdale.
The new YMCA has raised more than $10 million in private donations. Where are the donors for the library — $4.2 million for a new library in Kingston — isn’t that part of the new MPD?
Up to $3 million for a new library in Port Orchard. Don’t even try to understand the convoluted arrangements with Port Orchard. Then the library is offering to do landscape maintenance for the Poulsbo library since Poulsbo won’t get any of the new money. Anything to buy a vote.
Do not be deceived by the library. Its revenue has increased every year. Since it hasn’t inreased enough to satsify them, they cut back on services. They did not cut back on staff as private businesses were forced to. They will tell you that they did not award cost-of-living salary increases for a year. Well, neither did Social Security. Do not fall for the library’s cry for more of your income.
When you vote, save your dollars for when you and your family need them. When you vote, think of your friends and neighbors who may be in dire straits. When you vote, you will be faced with new and existing taxing authorities trying to take money from you. Remember it is your right to say no.
Bill Marsh
Poulsbo
