HomeCityCommunityKioskNewsSearch Careful stewardship of your tax dollars by the City Council and staff resulted in a delay of a crisis related to anticipated budget deficits.

April 2003: Tax Revenue Stewardship and LFP's Budget
From the Computer of Mayor Dave:

The two biggest financial challenges faced by the City were the result of Initiatives 695 and 747. These eliminated the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (MVET) and limited property tax increases to 1%. Since Lake Forest Park is a residential community with a small commercial base, 48% of our general fund revenues come from property taxes. The allowed 1% increase is not enough to meet an inflation rate of around 3% annually.

The Council responded quickly to the challenges of both initiatives by eliminating several positions, cutting selective services and building up our reserves to bridge anticipated gaps in future years. Over the next few years we will need to cut services or raise revenues. Additional revenue could come through changes at the State level or through local voter approved tax increases.

I want to be sure that we draft a budget that continues to identify all the places we can make savings without reducing the basic services to City residents. I am committed to making sure the City has enough police and that the streets are paved.

However, I think the City is more than police and streets. We are working to identify savings, while preserving the services that contribute to the high quality of life enjoyed by all of us in LFP. I am working with staff to:

  1. Identify the essential functions and determine the costs of these functions.
  2. Determine the best ways to involve citizens in these discussions. Some cities have used eForums and held Community Conversations. We are devising ways to get input from a broad constituency of citizens.
  3. Develop a strategic implementation of service changes.

Thank you for your support, advice, and patience.

              -- Dave

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