We represent families asking the community to come together to invest in safe school and park access via bike lanes and sidewalks, so all residents feel safe walking or biking on our streets. The heavily trafficked areas near schools and the main corridors of our city are currently unsafe for pedestrians without adequate sidewalks, shoulders, or traffic calming. Let’s prevent any further tragedies on our streets!

Proposition 1 equalizes accessibility and safety of vital spaces for all LFP residents. The levy lid lift increases accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists throughout our community, improves safety around schools, funds improvements in our existing parks, and builds a 2-acre lakefront park to provide lake access to all of our residents. 

Recent resident surveys and open houses highlighted these needs and shaped existing development plans. Future plans will be developed with community input and annual reports will provide transparency and accountability.

The levy lid lift is designed to generate approximately $2 million each year to exclusively design, build, and maintain the proposals in the Safe Streets and Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails (PROST) reports. Qualifying seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners would be exempt from the increase under RCW 84.36.381.

Submitted by: Vicki Pettiross, Rachel Chen, Annthea Vining, rcdog3@gmail.com

We agree, Lake Forest Park needs safer streets and park improvements.  There are better ways to fund them than permanently increasing property taxes 61%, the largest increase in our history, making LFP one of the most heavily taxed cities in the North end.

Prop 1 is permanent, the owner of an average home would pay $360 or more per year in LFP property taxes, forever.  Prop 1 is regressive, the 61% increase disproportionately harms seniors and working-class families. Prop 1 is restrictive, as our community's needs change, the funds can't be spent on emerging issues such as community services, homelessness, crime, or infrastructure improvements. Prop 1 eliminates control, it does not require community input or approval for where, when, or which projects are undertaken, or their cost.  Prop 1 enables the Council to borrow significant funds, encumbering future generations, without a public vote.

There is a better way to fund these improvements, in the same or less time, using grants, bonds, or limited term levies, without a permanent 61% tax increase, loss of public control, and restricting future City options.  Tell your Council we need a sustainable, inclusive, smarter approach.

Vote No on Prop 1.   Let's do it right!

Submitted by: Jeff Snedden, Don Nibouar, Bryce James, www.ABetterWayLFP.org

The levy increase applies only to the small portion the city receives; 9% of your annual property taxes. The levy amount results in an increase of just $30 per month for the average household; with exemptions available. The city has already raised millions in grants to fund other projects and now needs our help to invest in a safer, more accessible community for all residents. For today and future generations.

Submitted by: Vicki Pettiross, Rachel Chen, Annthea Vining, rcdog3@gmail.com

Prop 1's 61% permanent tax increase isn't the way to get our improved sidewalks and parks. Prop 1 has no defined plan for accomplishing its goals; no specific detail of projects, their costs, or timelines; no requirement for public input or approval; no meaningful controls, only an after-the-fact "annual report". Currently available funding resources, or limiting the tax's duration were never adequately considered. Please visit "www.Abetterwaylfp.org", to get the facts.

Submitted by: Jeff Snedden, Don Nibouar, Bryce James, www.ABetterWayLFP.org

Download the full text of the resolution

Simple majority (RCW 84.55.050) 

For questions about this measure, contact: Phillip Hill, City Administrator, (206) 368-5440, phill@ci.lake-forest-park.wa.us