UPDATED: Redmond Council passes Resolution endorsing Proposition 1: "Veterans and Human Service Levy"

King County Veteran with his family

REPUBLISHED

UPDATED:  In their July 12 meeting, Redmond Council voted on Resolution No. 1363 to support and endorse King County Proposition 1, a 6-year "Veterans and Human Service Levy" renewing and replacing the expiring Levy. After five council members discussed their positions, Council passed the resolution 6-1 (David Carson - opposing).

Bellevue and Kirkland city councils
passed resolutions earlier endorsing the Levy.

In the 2011 August election, county residents will vote on Prop. 1.  The 2011 levy is 5 cents/ $1000 of assessed property value, or $20 in 2012 for the average-priced $400,000 home in King County. A CPI capped-measure is built into the Levy.  Read More >>

Staffer Brook Buckingham and various human service organizations presented community values, needs and uses for the levy monies in support of vets, military personnel and their families.   

• Hopelink emphasized employment service support for vets and their families at WorkSource.  The program director quoted 223 were served [last year] with 82.5% obtaining or improving their employment.  Most of the employment improvements occurred in Redmond.  
• One organization provides winter shelters and support for single, homeless men.  Permanent homes were found for 50 men last year. 
• "Healthy Start" for young moms and cultural navigation programs were mentioned.
• Other health services are provided, including mental health and substance abuse prevention.

Below, are a few discussion points made by council members prior to their vote on the resolution:
 
Pat Vache' said "The county has done a marvelous job in managing these funds and providing...a very important safety net in our communities. I think we need to support this."
Hank Margeson recalled "this is the only county-wide program that provides the safety net for our veterans and some of the human services.  The remainder of all human service funding was eliminated from the General Fund of the 2011 KC budget."  
David Carson was the only council member voting against the resolution saying, "It's okay to individually endorse programs we feel passionate about but as a Council, to endorse it seems a message to vote for this.  I think people should make up their own minds." 
Hank Myers said he didn't believe governments should work together to voice opinion on measures but  "...what's different in this issue is that we don't have our government or our budget or any dog in this fight. It won't affect the city budget or services we provide." 
John Stilin concluded, "If no one else is going to step up to bat, I think we should."
Kim Allen and Richard Cole made no comments on the resolution but voted to endorse.  

The expiring 2005-2011 levy raised $13,300,000/year, according to the county website, and was sponsored by Ferguson, Lambert, and Patterson.  Funding is split with 50% going to veterans and their families and 50% to others in the county for employment, housing and human services.

Report and Opinion by Bob Yoder

Internet photo
Updated:  7/22/2011  12:45 AM