Prop 1 Is a General Tax Increase
Although Prop 1 is presented as supporting climate, environmental, housing, and community programs, the ordinance itself grants the City Council broad discretion over how the money is used.
The ordinance states that the Council may:
Modify or substitute programs
Reprioritize spending or shift funding among categories
Reduce or eliminate any portion of the listed programs
In other words, voters are not approving funding for specific new projects. They are approving a substantial increase in general property tax revenue that can be allocated by future City Councils.
The Tax Increase Is Huge
Today, the City's regular property tax rate is approximately $0.70 per $1,000 of assessed value; $700 on an average home.
Prop 1 authorizes an immediate 79% increase in the rate to as much as $1.25 per $1,000; $1,250 for an average home.
The levy also permits up to 6% annual increases over its six-year life, which then becomes the base for all future taxes.
The City says it would like to raise $20,000,000 in additional taxes through this levy by 2032.
The actual language of the Levy authorizes $40,000,000 of new taxes; $1,650 of new taxes in addition to existing city taxes, for every man, woman and child in Kenmore.
The Impact Extends Beyond Homeowners
Property taxes do not affect only homeowners. Higher property taxes ultimately affect:
Renters through higher rents
All Kenmore businesses through higher occupancy costs
Local shops and service providers through increased operating expenses
Those costs will flow through to the broader community in the form of higher rents and retail prices.
A Question of Priorities
We all support environmental protection, affordable housing, and community services. However, supporting those goals does not automatically require supporting every tax increase, especially when we just approved and pay for King County levies addressing the same issues.
This huge, redundant, and regressive tax increase will come at the expense of affordable housing; residents trying to get by on fixed, limited, and even middle incomes; and our already struggling business community. We don’t think that trade is worth it.
A reasonable question for voters is:
Why should taxpayers approve the largest property tax increase in Kenmore history before receiving a clear explanation of how the substantial revenue growth of the past several years has been spent and where this new money is going?
A Better Path Forward
Kenmore residents deserve both effective government and financial accountability.
Before approving a doubling of our property taxes, voters should ask City leaders to:
Explain why the 70% City revenue growth since 2020 has not been sufficient, when inflation has been 26%.
Take a serious look at current spending priorities and possible cuts before asking residents to pay $20-40 million in new taxes.
Supporting affordability, environmental responsibility, and strong community services should not require giving up transparency and fiscal accountability.
Vote based on the facts. Ask questions. Demand accountability. Vote NO.