"Boring budgets" are ANYTHING BUT...in Kirkland!

Most information, excerpts and the photo are courtesy of Rob Butcher's recent articles on his KirklandViews, 12/17/08

UPDATE: The Mayor of Kirkland told his Council they need to follow Redmond's Budget By Priority process! Hear and see Mayor Jim Lauinger say it!
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During Redmond's Budget proceedings, Mayor John Marchione gave strong warnings about "digging a hole" in our City budget. He cautioned if Council didn't raise the 1% property taxes we could end up like Kirkland, in a hole. Kirkland's "gap" was $13.8M -- 12% of their General Fund!

Kirkland has recently taken extreme measures to balance their budget. The problems started when Council authorized 6% salary and 10% cost increases. (Lesson to be learned?). A cursory listing of of actions taken to balance their budget are, as follows:

• Kirkland's existing business tax was replaced by a "Head Tax". Every business in Kirkland must now pay $100 for every full-time employee hired.


• Utility taxes increased.


• Property taxes were increased


• Service levels were cut. Nix Economic Development Manager , Communications levels, etc.


• Cut $3M from the capital budget.

Citizen attendance at Kirkland (and Redmond's) budget meetings were telling. According to KirklandViews, in Kirkland's October meeting only 6 of 48,000 citizens showed. Most were there to protect their interests. At Redmond's final Hearing only 7-8 showed up to speak...again most to further their interests. Council President McCormick proudly said on at least two occasions that Redmond citizenry were "fully engaged" in our budgetary process based on the "excellent turnout" at the final *Hearing.

"KirklandViews", reported that Kirkland's Council Chambers were overflowing at their final Budget meeting. Now, that's participation! Only two of eight citizens at Redmond's budget meeting addressed ideas for cutting costs; I was one. Is that "engagement"? Or, does the City have a way to go?

*Active citizenry participation in Marchione's "Budget by Priority" Public Workshops (2) and the six citizens on staff's Results Teams probably provides a more valid demonstration of public participation.