That measure failed by a mere 19 votes, requiring the city council to dip further into savings to continue providing the public safety services this community expects and deserves.
In a recent cost-saving effort, City Hall is now closed to the public on Fridays, and further cost-saving measures are being considered.
As the City Council considers the 2027-2028 biennial budget this fall, the city continues to face significant budget challenges.
As the City Council considers the 2027-2028 biennial budget this fall, the city continues to face significant budget challenges.
Lake Forest Park is a “full-service” city providing road maintenance and sidewalk improvements, sewer and storm water utilities, planning and development, environmental and sustainability programs, and parks and recreational spaces.
It also has its own court system and police department, which are highly valued by the community.
The City is faced with a persistent structural budget gap. Property taxes are the largest component of the City’s general fund revenues. But while inflation rose by over 24% over the past 4 years, the city was only permitted to increase property taxes by 4% during the same period. This is not a sustainable business model for the city.
Contract Cost Increases
The city has a public budget process and has limited spending where it has control of costs, however it is still not enough. Due to rising costs for public safety dispatch services, jail services, contract services, and state mandates, the city’s savings will be depleted by the end of 2028, as it continues to pay ongoing public safety costs with one-time funds.
The City is faced with a persistent structural budget gap. Property taxes are the largest component of the City’s general fund revenues. But while inflation rose by over 24% over the past 4 years, the city was only permitted to increase property taxes by 4% during the same period. This is not a sustainable business model for the city.
Contract Cost Increases
The city has a public budget process and has limited spending where it has control of costs, however it is still not enough. Due to rising costs for public safety dispatch services, jail services, contract services, and state mandates, the city’s savings will be depleted by the end of 2028, as it continues to pay ongoing public safety costs with one-time funds.
For this reason, the City Council is considering asking voters again in November 2026, to support a ballot measure to pay for these public safety service costs. You can find out more about the city’s budget challenges here.
More information: Sign up for newsflashes on the city website for updates on future “Coffee with Council/Mayor” and the city’s budget process.
More information: Sign up for newsflashes on the city website for updates on future “Coffee with Council/Mayor” and the city’s budget process.
At what point does the city look at options for merging with Kenmore or Shoreline? End of 2028 when they run out of money I guess?
ReplyDeleteEvery household seems taxed out, in addition to everything else becoming more expensive. I'm surprised the last ballot measure didn't pass, but the city is going to keep kicking the tax can down the line. At what point does it become unaffordable to maintain a "full service" city in this area with ~14k residents and no major revenue generating thoroughfares (Sorry Town Center, I like you, but let's be honest.) Shoreline has multiple and Kenmore has continued to develop 522 & 68th, but I expect to hear comparisons to both in city created, or consultants paid by the city, "pro levy" communications.
I appreciate the cost saving measures the city has taken. There are only so many dials they can turn for revenue and expenditures.
LFP should consider all options including merging the cities Police and Court with neighboring Shoreline and Kenmore. LFP property owners pay more per capita for police and courts compared to Shoreline and Kenmore. Study all cost saving options is good governance.
ReplyDelete“ environmental and sustainability programs”. Axe these and the staff that runs them. Get the police out enforcing the traffic laws and writing tickets. Start at 0.00 and give all departments 10% less than last year in real dollars not in projected rate of growth. You’ll have a surplus soon enough.
ReplyDelete