Monday meeting on LFP voters’ pamphlet

Lake Forest Park residents who want to help prepare voters’ pamphlet arguments for or against the August tax measure will meet at 6 pm Monday at City Hall.

Residents will vote during the August primary on raising the lid on the City’s property-tax rate. The City Council says that the City needs the levy to retain basic public safety and other services.

People who attend the Monday meeting will learn about the requirements for the Voters’ Pamphlet. They will get a chance to volunteer for committees to prepare the written arguments for and against the proposition to be included in the voters’ pamphlet.

If more than three people at the meeting express interest in being on the committee, advocates for approval and advocates for rejection of the proposal will each be asked to identify the three-member committees for appointment by the Council.

The City Council voted 6-1 two weeks ago to place the levy proposition on the Aug. 17 ballot. It asks citizens to vote on increasing the property-tax levy above the limit set by Initiative 747. The proposal would set the tax rate at $1.85 per $1.000 of assessed value. The six-year levy amount would increase by inflation as measured by the consumer price index.

The increase equals about $11.53 per month for the first year for the average household (valued at $400,000) in Lake Forest Park. City officials say that revenue will be used to pay for the current level of services.

The King County voters’ pamphlet will accompany the ballots. Information in the pamphlet about the proposition includes a statement explaining the effect of the proposition if approved, and arguments for and against the proposition.

The City Council will appoint committees to prepare arguments for and against the proposals at its May 13 meeting.