Kent’s Police Department can be funded thru the city’s regular budget, not through unrelated taxes on Utilities you rely upon daily.
In 2010, Kent’s elected leaders disposed of the Kent Fire Department to “save money” by sponsoring the Kent Regional Fire Authority, thinking several million dollars would be freed up to fund the Police Department.
Where’d the money go?
Every year Kent pays $3 million to the RFA. When past-mayor Cooke wanted a pay raise she compared compensation of local mayors. Why didn’t she and the council compare fire costs paid by local cities?
Fact: Auburn and Renton pay a fraction of Kent’s fire cost!
Kent’s elected leaders ok’d the RFA “money savings plan”, then double taxed us, exploiting a $10 million property tax loophole – Google ‘Kent banked capacity’, see for yourself.
Kent’s mayor and council need to fully fund our Police Department – with tax revenue the city already collects!
Now they want to increase tax on Your Utilities by 30%!
Utility taxes are intended to benefit Public Works and Infrastructure.
Kent Taxpayers should not bear the burden of Kent’s financial mismanagement year after year – especially with unrelated taxes.
Hold onto your wallets, reject Kent’s Prop A.