King County Assessor Announces "Taxpayer Transparency Tool"

King County Assessor John Wilson today released his February 2020 Taxpayer Transparency Tool, a website which provides each King County taxpayer an individualized accounting of where their property tax dollars go, and the estimated cost of any proposed property tax measure to be voted on. 

“Taxpayers have a right to know where their money is going, and what each proposed property tax levy will cost them,” said Wilson.  “Property taxes keep going up.  We need to make sure the public understands why.”

The tool can be found at http://localscape.spatialest.com/#kingcountyassessor/Tax. There is a link to the tool on left side menu of the Assessor’s web page https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/assessor.aspx. The Transparency Tool only shows the impact of property tax measures.  Other ballot measures, including sales tax measures or benefit charges, are not included. The Tax Transparency Tool was introduced by Assessor Wilson and first used during the April special election in 2018.

Posted by Yoder
1/29/2020

Sunshine Week - Celebrating the Public's Right to Know.

This Sunshine Week, (March 13-19) we urge you to press our public officials to do more, seeking not just broad statements of support for greater transparency but specific pledges and plans of action to enhance the public’s right to know.

Sunshine Week 2011 can be a time when you as a citizen or civic organization make a difference by identifying local or state open governments and then asking your public officials to pledge and initiate specific improvements in local or state law and practice.

Please forward a sample Proclamation to the leaders of our local governments and ask them to sign a Proclamation for "Open Government". 

• City of Redmond, Mayor John Marchione, mayor@redmond.gov
• Lake Washington School District, President of School Board, jpendergrass@lwsd.org
• Evergreen Hospital, President of Board of Commissioners, Al DeYoung, c/o lburton@evergreenhealthcare.org  

Read this sample Proclamation to send to your local government representative. 
Read More >>

OPINION: Independence from my grinding Watch on groundwater quality.

UPDATED, 7/8 - OPINION: Five years ago, a friend and I came upon a hazardous waste site on Evans Creek. The waste was dumped on top of a shallow City wellhead aquifer. The discovery eventually led to a crack-down by 9 regulatory agencies to clean up the site. This experience led to the birth of this blog and my zealous reporting on City protections of our underground drinking water.

This being the eve of July 4th, I'm happy to shout freedom from my "city watch" over the safety of our drinking water aquifer. (I know the City is happy, too.) As of tomorrow, I will stop grinding my axe on the issue. Why now? It's simple. I've watched the Marchione Administration for two years cope with the challenges of protecting our groundwater aquifers and I'm confident we are in very good hands. THIS Administration has replaced the mad scrambles and PR campaigns of the past with a fresh transparency to the challenges and solutions of a more secure wellhead water.

The genuine, transparency exhibited by the Mayor and his staff, of late, was all I needed to claim my independence! Last Tuesday night four staff members (including a stormwater engineer and geologist) -- backed up by the confident DNR Manager and Public Works Director -- covered ALL the sensitive issues...and ones new to me.

The display of transparency was impressive and re-assuring. A few of the points made were, as follows:

• The City is fully vested in protecting our wells! For example, Well #5 supplies 1/3 of the city's drinking (well)water capacity. If Well #5 went down it would cost taxpayers $800,000 per year to replace the water and over $12 Million just to hook into a new pipe. Full protection of our groundwater is a good investment and worth every penny.
• 110 parcels have been identified as threats to untreated stormwater entering the aquifer. Landowner's stormwater fees will be lowered to help them with the expense of retrofitting of these systems, to treat stormwater before it infiltrates into the ground.
• Underground parking is becoming common in Downtown. Often permanent "de-watering" (removing water) is required since the Downtown sits over a very shallow aquifer. The City is on top of this. (no pun).
• Hazardous materials are methodically identified and secondary containment is enforced.
• This information was gathered from the last part of Council's taped June 30 Study Session, linked here: http://rctv.redmond.gov/ondemand/CC063009.wmv

Do you have any comments on this? Thanks to Mayor Marchione and his staff for a very difficult job being well done! I can rest in peace. Free at last!

UPDATED,9/23 EvergreenHealth revamps website to be more customer friendly, updates Facebook page

Al DeYoung
President, Board of Commissioners

Editor's Note:  Feedback from the Community -- including myself -- contributed significantly  to re-focusing Evergrreen's attention on customer service and their website.     

NEW "Contact Us"!

"We are always happy to hear from our patients, community and customers. Whether it's a question or a request, or you have a comment you’d like passed on to one of our staff members or to leadership, we value your insights and we will follow up on it within 48 hours."

Contact Us: EMAIL  "If you prefer, we welcome a phone call to our administrative office at 425.899.2621."

New "Wait Time Clocks" for ER's and Urgent Care Clinics!

Updated Facebook page!

New: "My Costs"!  

"Our commitment is to be your partner in health and to provide our community access to high quality health care at a great value. To help you make the best decisions about your health care, we embrace transparency. The resources offered here will provide you with a deeper understanding about your healthcare costs. You can even reach out to us to discuss your individual questions and obtain a personalized estimate for your out-of-pocket cost."

Public Board Meeting Agendas Posted!

Study Session: 4:30pm - executive sessions begins; 5:30pm public meeting begins
Board Meeting: 5pm - executive session begins; 6:30pm public meeting begins, public comment

Location:  Room Tan 250
(Located in the EvergreenHealth Surgery & Physicians Pavilion, which is adjacent to EvergreenHealth Medical Center)

Minutes from each meeting are posted after they are approved at the next month's meeting.  

Jan. 05 - Study Session

Jan. 19 - Board Meeting

Feb. 02 - Study Session

Feb. 12 - Educational

Feb. 16 - Board Meeting

Mar. 01 - Study Session

Mar. 15 - Board Meeting

Apr. 05 - Study Session

Apr. 08 - Educational

Apr. 19 - Board Meeting

May 03 - Study Session

May 12-13 - Leadership Retreat

May 17 - Board Meeting 

June 07 - Study Session

June 10 - Educational

June 21 - Board Meeting

July 05 - Study Session

July 08 - Educational

July 19 - Board Meeting

Aug. 02 - Study Session 

Aug. 16 - Board Meeting [Agenda]

Sep. 06 - Study Session [Agenda]

Sep. 09 - Educational

Sep. 20 - Board Meeting

Oct. 04 - Study Session

Oct. 14 - Educational

Oct. 18 - Board Meeting

Nov. 01 - Study Session

Nov. 11 - Budget Hearing

Nov. 15 - Board Meeting

Dec. 06 - Study Session

Dec. 09 - Educational

Dec. 20 - Board Meeting

"And, we believe in transparency – sharing our results with you, so that you can make an informed choice about you and your family’s care. This transparency includes sharing our internal data and measurements.....

WEBSITE  

Prepared by Bob Yoder

A Look at Transparency and "Open Government" issues in Lake Washington School District

"What is the definition of government transparency?
When we talk about transparency in government, we mean that citizens must be able to 'see through' its workings, to know exactly what goes on when public officials transact public business. Government that is not transparent is more prone to corruption and undue influence because there is no public oversight of decision making."

--By Judy Nadler and Mirham Schulman
  Center for Applied Ethics
  Santa Clara University, CA. 3/06

###

"A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."

-- James Madison, letter to W.T. Barry, August 4, 1822

Madison is often referred to as the “Father of the United States Constitution.” His priceless contributions to the founding of the nation include co-authoring along with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton the Federalist Papers which apart from the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution itself, provided the philosophical framework and intellectual justification for the Bill of Rights and government we know today.

It is therefore fitting that one of the state’s top government watchdog groups. Washington Coalition for Open Government, presents it’s highest honor each year in Madison’s name to an individual or organization that exemplifies a deep commitment to open government,

-- Bob Yoder
Resident, Parent, Volunteer at LWSD
redmondblog@gmail.com

The "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" Mission Statement, Goals, Achievements

Friends and Guests,

 The "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" brings transparency to the City of Redmond, Lake Washington School District, Evergreen Hospital District and other local jurisdictions, to encourage them to listen to their constituents and make positive changes; the Blog helps Greater Redmond citizens to be seen and heard in their neighborhoods and come together to find solutions. Your comments and stories are welcome."

I’ve lived in Redmond 30 years.  I publish the Redmond Neighborhood Blog because I am passionate about where live and I love being active in my community and local government.  The Blog is my avocation.  My goal is that someday the Redmond Neighborhood Blog will be a thriving nonprofit, skilled at connecting and engaging Greater Redmond local governments with our communities. Recognition and Advocacy are central to this Blog.

At the core of my reporting, is scrutiny and daylighting the local governing bodies of  Greater Redmond.  Transparency is a disinfectant.  I've expanded my City of Redmond coverage to include Lake Washington School District, Evergreen Public Hospital District and the local King County Library branch.  The School District has three times as many active voters as the City and represents great potential for additional readership and positive changes.

Alternative neighborhood news, opinion, comment, and  posts contributed by citizens and business engages and connects citizens with our communities and  local jurisdictions.    The Blog strives to be nonpartisan and independent.  Presently, every candidate running for office in the City, School Board, and Public Health District #2 knows about the Blog.

In 2005, preservation of  priority Urban Open Space and the cultural habitat of Perrigo Woodlands and Hartman Wetlands drew me into community activism.  Discovery of hazardous waste on a shallow city aquifer in SE Redmond triggered the beginnings of this blog.  Land use review practices, Public Notice and developer-centric planning were early reports and are ongoing.  In 2008, I worked with the Water Tenders and other citizens to leverage our voice and empower City and regional officials   Our message was successfully targeted to State representatives.  We secured  $8M funding from the State to restore Bear Creek and mitigate SR520 flooding.

Reporting on city governance brings positive changes, as follows:

1. Independent, alternative neighborhood news and reader comments and contributions keeps government  in touch with our needs and each other. 
2. TRANSPARENCY:  Our electeds' work is more visible. Minutes and recordings of meetings are taken and with consistency.  Elected conduct more meetings outside of their Chambers and in neighborhoods.  Committees have more voice.  Electeds' and staff meetings are more visible, efficient and productive.  Senior administrators and CEO's listen and respond.
3. City of Redmond and other local jurisdictions are subjected to public scrutiny for positive change.
4. Land use review process, Public Notice, Public Records and access is improved.
5. Human resource problems are identified.
6. Access to governments' website resources are improved and more transparent.     
7. Commissions, Boards and Councils are energized and empowered.
8. Mistakes and unintended consequences during the planning process are minimized by community participation and more functional internal (staff) communications
9. Neighborhood and community Voice is leveraged and targeted to create positive change in Greater Redmond, the County and State.  

Local and state politicians listen and respond to the problems and opportunities uncovered by the Blog.   A key Goal is to encourage reader participation and contributions to the Blog with their Comment, Letters, Opinion, Tips, and stories.  Probably, the biggest soft spot in this blog is the Lone Wolf Syndrome of One Howling Voice.  Readers want a chorus of thought, opinion, comment and neighborhood news.  Your contributions get top priority over my entries!   Improving site functionality is another key Goal.   I'm open to ideas!
 
The Redmond Neighborhood Blog provides alternative news to traditional  reporting while remaining independent of commercial and government dogma.    I cherish, and pay for this freedom!   I hope you will take advantage of this resource and participate, with your stories, your news, your comments, insight and of course, your readership!

Sincerely,

Bob Yoder
Community Activist
Publisher and Editor
"Redmond Neighborhood Blog"

10019 169th AVE NE
Redmond, WA.  98052
425-802-2523 
redmondblog@gmail.com

9/27/09, revised 10/17/09

Editorial - the Magic of Mayor Marchione

The pace of change and events in Redmond has increased exponentially since John Marchione was elected Mayor, joined the Sound Transit Board and began his work. Enhanced transparency of government operations and a well oiled council machine move city actions and events faster than can be reported. To be frank, it's impossible to keep up as a 1-man nonprofit neighborhood reporter.

Mayor John Marchione is off to a fast start. Just off the top of my head, I can think of many positive actions and events of the first seven months of the John Marchione Administration. Of course, there are bumps along the road and a mayor's work is never done, but Mr. Marchione is generally doing a fantastic job. Here are my thoughts about Mr. Mayor's progress:

1. Improvement and transparency of Open Meeting policies, Public Records Requests, Council Committee activities, participation of commissions in Council Meetings, and increased public participation by staff members previously unseen. Council meetings are efficient, productive and documented online for the public.

2 Reaching out to citizens to engage our neighborhoods by: promoting Neighborhood Block Watch potluck gatherings and looking into "Neighborhood Associations", keeping a watchful eye on the Redmond Neighborhood Blog, enhancing Derby Days with extra support from Microsoft, Geni Industries, and small businesses, providing a Neighborhood Land Use map on the city website, and yes, team building with fire and police during the First-ever Dodgeball tournament at Redmond High School!

2. Making the Budget process more palatable and participatory for the neighborhoods by prioritizing citizen needs. Providing document links to the online Consent Agenda to expose budget decisions.

3. Improving traffic and pedestrian safety by problem solving controversial road projects like the Bear Creek Parkway Extension, Redmond-Woodinville widening idea, 166th Ave rechannelization and RJH stop light project and on. At a recent Conference of Mayors Mayor Marchione demonstrated leadership for bicycle commuting. John is an influential member of the well connected Sound Transit Board.

4. Proving to be as "green" -if not more so - as previous administrations by: Bringing out the best of our already top-notch Natural Resources staff to upgrade our stormwater management systems with state of the art regional plans for Overlake, Downtown, and SE Redmond urban centers. Funding reforestation programs with the Cascade Conservancy to remove riparian invasives, recruit youth for stream restoration, hire a geologist and "aquifer team" to sustain the quality and affordability of our drinking water. Work with inter-local governments, like county councilmember Kathy Lambert to improve our Evans and Bear Creek shorelines and safeguard our aquifer; and converse with Rep. Ross Hunter to assist Cole and Allen secure SR 520 widening species protections and flood mitigation.

5. Swift and open acknowledgment of serious needs for affordable housing. John invited Art Sullivan, Manager of ARCH eastside affordable housing, to present solutions to council. Funding was quickly approved to help service-workers, teachers & young adults of Redmond families afford a place to live in Redmond and reduce fuel consumption.

6. Parks are expanding. A string of 5 rural parks along historic Bear Creek East of Avondale will be developed and connected by a trails. Environmental education and heritage centers will occupy the park's historic buildings.

7. I have never seen staff happier or more empowered. John wasn't afraid to identify and cull the few "bad apples" early in his administration. City Hall staff was downtrodden by stalled salary and benefit negotiations under the prior administration for over a year. John and council swiftly dealt with the problem and re-energized the staff.

8. Mr. Mayor has put the exterior art "crystals" back on the city hall building RCTV. This, small act is a loud symbol of city pride and transparency. John has revitalized the Arts Commission with new goals to attract tourists and commuters with nationally renknowned art, like the coming Digital Arts Festival!

9. John's accomplished all this and he's only into 1/8 of his first term! I've reported on Mr. Mayor for over a year, including councilwork, 5 months of his mayoral candidacy and 7 months in office. And, he's been more active than I can report!

10. The reason for John's success? He doesn't let his ego get in the way of a good idea. He is willing and open to bend or change course when he sees a good thing. He listens, respects and values citizen and staff opinions and ideas, and responds! John is not afraid to put his ego aside and to achieve the best, consensual decision for the city. John will make you chuckle. John understands the numbers. And, he is bright.

As with all my opinion stories, your comments are welcome and encouraged by posting them below or emailing. For this Opinion, I will publish Letters submitted by citizens.

As I said, I just can't keep up with the pace of the Administration and our council! My neighborhood reporting is falling behind. Volunteer Kay Taraposli ("kid's topics") and Richard Morris ("parks & trails") and others gave me more work than I could review. Thus, I'm looking for funding to keep this non profit weblog, or a non-political version, running. If you can help with funding please email me at redmondblog@gmail.com. Thank you! Bob Yoder

UPDATED: King County Property Tax Transparency Tool

"Localscape" - King County Assessor Transparency Tool

King County Assessor John Wilson developed the invaluable Localscape "transparency assessor tool" to calculate individual 2024 taxes and levy rates based on your home's appraised value.  Current and past taxes, area median household income, area sales, and copious other useful data is resourced.   

In 1981, I bought my 1,800 sf home on Education Hill for $92,000.  According to the calculator, the 2023 average sales price in my area is $1.2M.  

My total property taxes in 2023 were $8961.80 (up $1,630 from 2022.)  The calculator showed 2023 King County levy rates and dollar amounts on my property were, as follows: 

• Local School 29.30%  - $2475.48
• City 11.04% - $849.3
• County 10.9% - $1311.16
• Library 3.57% - $282.98
• EMS 2.85% - $222.24
• Hospital 2.57% - $151.47
• Transit 2.12% - $160.53
• Port 1.03% - $102.61
• Flood .92% - $69.26
• STATE Taxes $2467.16 (schools, fire, roads, parks & recreation) 

2024 taxes will most likely increase from 2023 owing to voter approved levies and bonds.  This year voters passed a 14 cent /$1000 property tax for the King County Mental Health Crisis Centers; and King County's Silver Cloud hotel in for the chronic homeless.  LWSD will have a $676.9 million construction levy measure on the November ballot. (EvergreenHealth District No. 2 will propose a levy lid-lift August 2025.)

To check out the tax data on your home:  

https://localscape.property/#kingcountyassessor/My-Property

-- Bob Yoder, 7/1/2024

10/06, Reason & Purpose for the Blog

10/14/06 MY 1st REASON AND PURPOSE FOR THIS BLOG

The photo is of our city kiosk located on Leary & Redmond Way. With the exception of the Historical Society Walking Tours, our kiosk is a dormant monument to our past, our Parks, and our Art culture. I suggest the people of the City of Redmond consider 'Technology' a Third Pillar of Redmond culture. The following article proposes greater utilization of our city web site, "Electronic Kiosks" and other interactivity tools to advance our city and culture.

Presently, our boards, commissioners, council and mayor operate within a limiting environment...somewhat of a vacuum...and they just don't really know how we feel. Our city council truly wants to hear from us. We have opportunities to be responsible to them and make Redmond a better place to live.

To be frank, citizen input and engagement in government and cultural processes of late has been mostly filtered and mitigated with "one-way communication." As a result, the Mayor and Council and commissioners converse and make decisions while Redmond citizens "stand by" in hibernation (waiting to be re-booted by the next election).

In 'yesterday's past', policy of the Administration has been to a large extent to control and direct public opinion to meet the needs on the city's agenda and the perceived needs of the community; not necessarily ours! Without open avenues and portals for citizen participation Redmond is becoming a bland, slumbering community. We can do better! Just consider how rich is the fabric of our citizenry and grand our latent human resources!

"Redmond Reporter's" inconsistent Op-Ed policy have left us regurgitating and out of the picture. [UPDATE, 2/2007: The new REDMOND REPORTER, under Editor John Huether is already bringing transparency and focus on Redmond issues] Worse, the administration , council, and commissioners have little idea of where WE are on city issues despite sincere desires and attempts to reach out to us. Case in point is the levy lid-lift defeat. The Administration and Council were surely nonplussed and startled by the public's 60-40 defeat of the levy lid-lift measure. We all now understand the disconnect.

Other than the few "relentless vocals" we've never had an ongoing "say" or convenient, ongoing media mechanisms (soap box) to voice our needs of: 1) how do we fund the programs and services we want? 2) where should our tax dollars go? and 3) what do we think about city management and policy-making performance? The Mayor, Council council@redmond.gov and commissioners have their RC-21 TV "router" yet the city still hasn't implemented interactive technologies to plug "us" in! I beg our city's Chief Administrative Officer, CEO, and elected official & politician & mayor aka Rosemarie will soon understand the gravity and take a few of the following actions:

1) improve transparency in council, planning, and development policy-making, UPDATE: Parks Dept. proposed levy 1-page summary offers simplicity and transparency to the public! [TAG parks-commission to find it] We need a similar pro forma summary for Police & Fire! 5/2/07
2) improve our city web site http://www.redmond.gov%20%20and%20content%20for%20online%20%20rc-tv;%20%20%20/9/2/7. ON DEMAND RCTV archived meetings provided on city website now!!!
3) encourage & facilitate greater utilization of our city web site, community email groups, and elected & candidate issues position blogs. UPDATE: several candidates are blogging, most have web sites, 9/1/07
4) recruit student web volunteer interns, Student youth used heavily by the Parks Dept. to market Prop. 2. Still no youth working in city IP dept for data entry, etc.
5) encourage and facilitate citizen, candidate and community blogging ,
6) implement citizen-government interactivity mechanisms and tools e.g. electronic surveys, real time emails, online public hearing proxies. UPDATE: The planning commission is keeping public meetings open for email comments & Korby Parnell, planning commissioner is using an electronic tablet notebook during meetings - to save paper. 5/2/07. 8/1 - now he's using paper again.
7) encourage our local paper & FOCUS magazine to publish a consistent and reliable "Letters to the Editor" policy, Update : done - local paper.
8) invite a citizen a week to sit in on a council, commission, or board meetings; let citizens organize informal NEIGHBORHOOD FORUMS to encourage and engage council members and commissioner's participation in our neighborhood-issues-of-importance. IE. focus groups of concerned citizens need to meet with commissioners, key committee councilmembers and limited staff 5/19/07
9) last but not least, place "electronic kiosks" (computer posting & surveying terminals) at key gathering places around the city.
10) the above may be funded, in part, by charging fees for city online services, workshops and the like.
11) Attract, encourage, and recruit qualified candidates with a fresh perspective to prepare for the replacement of the old guard. 5/19/07

UPDATE, 9/1/07 Brian Seitz began communications months ago with me when he saw my blog. Brian is now actively running for council with a blog & website; full of technology ideas for improving government productivity.

The Council is working hard to put together a coherent budget package; unfortunately our opinions and input were thinly shared. Did you know council deliberations of the "long range strategic budget" dragged out for over 40-sessions! Ugh!... so much effort for our well-intentioned Council with so little return! The process unfortunately included the Mayor and her "strategic STAFF leadership team" who had to spend countless hours, days, and weeks away from their normal duties to educate and sell council on their needs.

Redmond is a blessed city, rich in human & natural resources and untapped potential. We can be so much more than a pleasant, safe, green-treed corporate "edge" community of neighborhoods connected by trails to lush city parks and schools. We are largely a deep and rich gathering of intelligent, entrepreneurial, diverse, creative, economically & technologically secure residents ... in slumber... resourceful, yet untapped! "Together we can make Redmond better".

Our government must continue to unpeel it's layers of fear and welcome us into a dialogue.....putting an end to the dull, incestuous monologue amongst themselves, and a very few relentless city citizens and business owners. The local newspaper Op-Ed participation is just one channel for bringing renewed vitality and vigor to our city. Implementing widely available technology media tools and marketing the government process is required to advance our culture and community.

One other citizen/city "window" long fogged by poor technological linkages and "layering" is our city website: http://www.redmond.gov/ . Considering Redmond is blessed with an abundance of citizens employed by Microsoft, Nintendo et al, Boeing, and biotechs -- some of the premier digital corporations of our nation (!) -- Redmond's non-interactive, heavily layered web site though valuable, is almost an embarrassment. Our neighborhoods, businesses, and elected & appointed citizen resources are simply not being tapped to make our city "a GREAT CITY". If you've viewed http://www.redmond.gov/ or listened to a council or committee meeting you will certainly say we can do better!

Recommendations to improve our city website have been proposed by the Planning Commission (chaired by Susan Petitpas), council member Kimberly Allen kallen@redmond.gov, and planning commissioner and Microsoft employee, Korby Parnell. The door to http://www.redmond.gov/ must open with an interactive, understandable, intuitive welcoming invitation to our neighborhoods, communities, software workers, seniors, teens, schools, special interests, businesses, international community, city staff, and on. Without the activation of our diverse citizenry city governance will remain obscured--reducing our developing neighborhood cultures to a community "employment center".

Honorable Council member Jim Robinson is cognizant and keen to the "neighborhood - employment center" didactic; I consider Jim amiable & analytical -- a visionary in most city issues. However, Jim could be more attentive on two minor issues. Mr. Robinson, on occasion 1) whines about "the same old crowd" always showing up at city Hearings, and Special Meetings while begging for new faces. My comment: What face do I wear? Also, Council and Mayor need to use and expand their “gavel to gavel” TV coverage so as to attract 'new citizens while re-energizing 'the same old crowd' . i.e. video archived meetings 2) Jim is Chair of Parks & Human Services Committee, '06 (which includes Art, I believe) yet he appears to bias his support to Parks over Arts. Arts is a Pillar of Redmond culture and deserves more.

We need Jim's leadership to help Redmond refocus our arts policy to digital venues and a 'Cleveland Street - BNSF art center 'gathering place' for residents and tourists. Redmond has technological resources far beyond most cities in the country. Our technology resources could transform our culture ultimately giving Redmond regional, if not, national recognition.

UPDATED, 9/30 School Board meeting to review issues of government transparency

Lake Washington School District Board of Directors

Issues of transparency will be addressed which could improve the outcome of future bond measures.

The Board of Directors and Superintendent will be holding a Board meeting this Monday, September 19th that will address the "Administrative Organizational Plan."  Superintendent and CEO Dr. Traci Pierce will be highlighting her "enhanced Plan." The meeting will be held at 7:00PM, District Headquarters.

It's an important meeting.  Issues of government transparency will be addressed which could improve the outcome of future bond measures, transportation services, taxpayer budgeting and other issues. You are encouraged to attend and/or participate! To comment please sign-up before the meeting starts; preferably at 6:45.  

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

In part, the "Administrative Organizational Plan" is:   

"The administrative organization of the district shall be considered as an orderly means of achieving the district's primary objective, an effective program of instruction for pupils. 

"An organizational chart for the district shall be prepared by the superintendent and approved by the board to designate clearly relationships of all employees within the district organization.

The District's old Organizational Chart under review is here:

Editor's Note:  I'm confused. It was supposed to be here; I may have posted the new one by mistake, or the District removed it.

For your reference, the Bellevue School District's Organizational Chart is here:
http://www.bsd405.org/wp-content/pdf/administration/BSD-org-chart.pdf

I hope this helps and you can make the meeting!

Bob Yoder

The Municipal League of King County opposes proposed County sales tax increase.

Election Day in Tuesday, November 2.

Seattle – Today the Municipal League of King County released recommendations on six proposals that will appear on the November general election ballot. Notably, the League is opposing the proposed King County sales tax increase.

Read More >>  for complete findings from the League’s review.  In summary, the League made the following recommendations:

· SUPPORT: King County Charter Amendment No. 1 to specify the local and regional role of county government,

· SUPPORT: King County Charter Amendment No. 2 to change the way political candidates file campaign finance materials,

· NO POSITION: King County Charter Amendment No. 3 to grant the Sheriff authority to bargain working conditions,

· OPPOSE: King County Proposition 1, which authorizes King County to impose an additional sales tax (two-tenths of one percent) to fund criminal justice services,

“These were not easy decisions,” said League Co-Chair Kathy Elias. “The sales tax proposal was an especially difficult issue. However, our Committee felt that the County should demonstrate significant progress on the road to reform before asking voters to approve additional taxing authority.”  Read More >>

Councilmember Kathy Lambert supports giving voters more choices in the Parks Levy

Editor's Note:  this article was posted in 2013.

“In an era of reduced revenues and increasing needs, I think the voters should know that their tax choices impact many areas of government,” said King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert. ”The bigger issue here is how the proposed Parks Levy impacts our general tax priorities. The recent recession has changed the funding formulas in a new more complicated way and there are many other pressing needs in our County.  I love our parks and that is why I am proposing that we separate the proposed Levy, just as we did six years ago. We then need to give the voters of King County additional and updated information so they have greater clarity and transparency on how we fund our junior taxing districts and how that funding process impacts many junior districts such as fire, hospital and flood districts.” 

The Metropolitan King County Council is considering two options for renewing the six-year Parks Levy, which expires this December.  One option would increase the levy by 42 percent to fund major acquisitions to the King County Parks system. It asks for a property tax lid lift of 18.77 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, which translates into a yearly rate of $56.30 for the owner of a $300,000 home in King County. The voters’ only choice under this approach would be not funding parks or accepting a 42 percent tax increase.  Read More >>

City Council Approves 5% COLA

Redmond City Council approved a 5% Cost of Living salary increase for union employees Effective January 1, 2022,   (Staff quoted 6.5% as the true rate of inflation.)  Many thanks to Mayor Birney and Council for their transparency on this topic!  The Council took time to ask some very good questions. In the past, union salary plans were buried in the Consent Agenda and never pulled for discussion.  

Per employee visibility, the following are a few maximum salaries:  

• Planner, $104,232
• Principal Planner, $131,076
• Senior Planner, $118,614
• Communications & Marketing Project Administrator, $109,164
• Senior Engineer, $141,660
  
• Administrative Assistant, $71,360
• Communications & Marketing Specialist, $97,824
  
• Environmental Sustainability Program Manager, $101,736
  
• Senior Building Inspector, $107,376
• Senior Accountant, $99,636
• Senior Purchasing Agent, $109,044
• Recreation Program Administrator, $104,408

Several neighbors and LWSD employees informed me they are very unhappy with LWSD salaries and  benefits. So, I'm in the process of  looking into District salaries. The work is not easy because the only way to find District salary information is by Public Record Request.  Sadly, their Public Records site is lacking in transparency.  I've been working to change this for quite some time. 

-- Bob Yoder, 11/4/2021

"Safe Eastside" - Activists Fighting Off The Homeless.

 "Safe Eastside's"  relentless attacks on Mayor Birney are unconscionable. Kudos to CM David Carson for his efforts to defend the Mayor and the City.  Anderson, Fields, Forsythe, Kahn and Kritzer should defend the Mayor and City, as well.  They have the same voice as the Mayor in representation of the public. Councilmembers, please actively stand up and defend the Mayor and City tomorrow.  B. Yoder, 10/18/2021

KAN QIU'S MESSAGE TO "SAFE EASTSIDE" VOLUNTEERS:

Please come to public comment Tuesday 10/19 to demand amendment of Ordinance No. 3059 at City Hall, 15670 N.E. 85th Street, Redmond, Washington, 6:30 PM, the last public comment opportunity before the council's study session 10/26 on this matter. We have all witnessed, in the public hearing nearly two weeks ago, Mayor shamefully staged her out of area supporters to call in before many of us who showed up physically since as early as 6:30. But we are more determined than what she could ever have imagined. We need to pack the room again, speakers make sure you sign up in advance on the sheet outside the chamber room. To help us track attendee numbers, please register at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/keep-up-the-pressure-tuesday-october-19th-speak-up-at-redmond-city-hall-tickets-193136014017 .

What's even more outrageous after the shameful display of public hearing is that Mayor Birney's puppet in the council David Carson had to go the extra mile and filed a frivolous PDC complaint on October 14 against us in an apparent attempt to suppress public voices. Sadly as an elected official, puppet CM David Carson obviously forgot that this is America and people's rights express themselves are fully protected by the constitution, particularly on matters that are lack of government transparency. Since when citizens setting up and running a website to inform the public becomes an issue ? It's appalling that such despicable scare tactics have being used against average citizens who simply fill in the vacuum due to the very lack of information from the government!

UPDATED OPINION, 9/28: The culture of Marchione's Administration strangles Council's representation and participation

OPINION:  I have been been at resident of Redmond for over 33 years.  I watch most every city council meeting.  I agree with those rare residents I know who follow city government that something is missing from the council meetings. One of the reasons I'm voting against Marchione is because of his tight grip on the Council on controversial issues.   Only once in a blue moon will a councilmember disagree with the Mayor or his staff and when they do disagree they very rarely speak their mind in a council meeting. I can think of only two instances that a Councilmember publicly disagreed with the Mayor. One was David Carson who said he was against the proposed Redmond Way - Cleveland Street realignment. (He barely got it out but he said it and was ignored by his peers).  The other was when Councilmember Hank Myers and Councilmember Kim Allen spoke out against the many of the medians on 166th Avenue. 

Recently I was at the So Bazzar and ran into Hank Myers. He is a nice man, and a very hard working and capable councilman as are all our councilmembers.  He gave me some insight to his views on Proposition One and Two and the budget.  Was I surprised!  I asked him why he didn't speak up at any council meetings about this.  He promised he would try to be more open about positions in the future -- and this from the most transparent member on Council.   Transparency within Council chambers and Commission meetings is sometimes impeded by the Administration's headlock on Council; transparency builds trust in our government and it is at times lacking by our representatives - no fault of their own.      

John Marchione appears to have an underlying "rule" with Council to keep disagreements and sensitive issues off record so that his meetings run smoothly and scripted to his Administration's plan.  The problem with Marchione's culture is that it strangles council's ability to represent their constituents and speak their minds on sensitive issues. That's a good reason why council meetings are so stale and the everyday resident won't visit City Hall to speak their minds in "Items from the Audience" or watch their meetings.  Having talked with Steve Fields, I know he would allow the Council and Commissioners to be more open when they have personal disagreements or just want to talk and be themselves.

By Bob Yoder 

UPDATED: Redmond Neighborhood Blog "About Us" is revised and edited

Bob, Lexie and Pam

Here's the revision....

The "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" mission is to keep our community better informed, connected and responsive to each other, with attention to local governments and our neighborhoods. My vision is positive. progressive change in our community.       

I've lived in Redmond 38 years and started blogging about 10 years ago. When I first moved here from the mid-west to sell medical supplies, Redmond was a rural one-stoplight town.  My family loved visiting the downtown feed store to play with the chicks; golf the downtown course; drive through the horse farms; line up at for ice cream and fresh milk at Thenos and generally just enjoy a peaceful lifestyle away from the big city. Well, those days are over.  

I've been writing "Redmond Blog" under a known premise that governments fostering "transparency (openness) and participation" are good governments.  My open government reporting of the City includes reporting on the Lake Washington School District and EvergreenHealth District governments. Transparency is improving and our local governments are healthier.  

Several environmental issues in the mid-2000's tormented me so I started blogging to cope, "get the word out," and leverage voice. (A city planning commissioner Korby Parnel suggested I write a blog.) Environmental Issue 1:  A  housing project on Education Hill threatened the neighborhood forest and an important wetland frequented by science teachers. Public notice was pathetic so we got the word out. Mayor Ives negotiated a wider buffer. Notice was improved; two neighborhood meetings are now required. Issue 2:  Hiking along Evans Creek in the city's southwest industrial district we found and reported riparian buffers severely abused by a wood recycling company.  We were surprised the city "let this go" so leveraged voice. Soon, six state and local agencies were called in for remediation. Mayor Marchione later proclaimed "Riparian, as habitat of local importance."  Issue 3: Years later, Lower Bear Creek was threatened by a WSDOT SR520 widening project.  We worked with city and state officials to raise awareness and request funding. The creek was eventually re-aligned to preserve federally protected salmon habitat.  

Years ago, I found Evergreen Hospital's concealed public Board commission's chambers and started attending their meetings and reporting on them.  Public Record Requests revealed an executive/pediatrician's salary of $600,000 and other misfeasance.  In short time, CEO Brown abruptly resigned and the commissioners hired Bob Malte from Colorado Springs as CEO.  Mr. Malte reshuffled personnel and re-branded Evergreen to "EvergreenHealth."  The hospital currently is winning many regional and national awards under Malte's helm. 

A quest for "open government" in the Parks Department

Craig Larsen, Director of Parks & Recreation, Trails, Art

OPINION: Several months ago, the Parks commissioners sat nervously in council chambers in front of the full Council, Mayor, Directer Larsen and staff . They had the daunting and uncomfortable task of asking Council for a $40 million park bond! The bond request was quietly denied.

The timing of the commission's request was unusual in that it pre-empted our public "Budget by Priorities" meetings. In addition, the public passed a parks levy only a year ago. It wasn't until the Budget was released a week ago that I discovered the Administration's motive this huge park bond request. They need $37,000,000 to build two Downtown Parks. I'm all for creating a "Great City" but it would have been nice to be included in the Parks & Trails Commission planning process. We, the public did not receive the benefit of transparency and "open government" in this case. The government did not receive the benefit of our input.

Last night, I went to the Parks and Trails Commission meeting. During the weeks of November 10 & 17th the Council will consider a $43,060,000 hike of the 6-year capital budget for Parks. It was interesting the commissioners didn't once mention the park budget. Most of the discussion was about a proposal to change Cleveland Ave. and Redmond Way into 2-way streets .

Director Craig Larsen said a couple of months ago he had been planning to televise 2-3 parks commission meetings per year on RCTV-21. I keep waiting. Mr. Larsen schedules the Arts Commission 3-times per year for RCTV and their budget is tiny compared to the Parks $87,000,000 program. Wouldn't you want to dial in on occaision? Staff recently committed to posting commission meetings without 2-3 month delays. Current commissioner names and titles are being updated on RCTV and current commissioner names are now posted online. Trasparancy may be improving. I ran into Councilman Hank Margeson at the Digital Arts Festival. He had heard the Parks & Trails Commission wouldn't be holding any or their meetings on RCTV-21. I hope Hank heard wrong. The public has asked for transparency over and again; and Mayor Marchione has agreed to the values of Open Government. I'm hopeful and trusting the Administration will someday lift the darkness and move the Parks & Trails commission and public forward.

Your comments on the parks budget are welcome. Email Park Director celarsen@redmond.gov or ParksAndTrailsCommission@redmond.gov.

Footnote:

The Budget breakdown is here

cc: Parks,Trails,Art Director Larsen, Mayor, Council and commissioners