Kent voters overwhelmingly rejected higher utility taxes to fully staff the Kent Police Department. Concerning another measure in August, Mayor Dana Ralph said, “It’s that important and it’s the right thing. We just need to convince our residents it’s the right thing.”
Every law-abiding citizen of Kent wants a fully staffed police department. But the right thing to do is acknowledge the will of the people and fund the department without burdening the taxpayers with another tax.
The police department should be the first line item funded from the general budget, and it should be funded fully.
According to slide 13 of the mayors’ April 21 budget discussion roadshow, expenses are expected to increase 2.2 percent per year.
Why not freeze increases? That would be an increase in revenue, without a tax. How about an across the board cut of 1 percent (except police)?
I would recommend all our city leaders to read Don Brunells’ March 16, 2017 column in the Kent Reporter, about POG, priorities and price of government.
– Michael Weros
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