Hello, city officials. The votes are in. Are you listening?
I know I’m not on the agenda, but hope you’ll consider some thoughts on why your police levy lift failed. In a word: Inflation. People are hit by inflation every time they open a bill, go shopping, think of buying a house. And you proposed bumping property taxes 5 percent a year for six years? Plus, another tax increase vote after that? Plus, a sales tax increase planned after that? The too-much trifecta.
Vancouver has been incredibly supportive of money requests over the 29 years we’ve lived here. Of course, we support police, fire, EMS, schools, libraries and parks. Vancouver’s record is exceptional. But there are limits. You just found one.
So, this rejection should be taken seriously. It’s no reflection on our support of police needs. Rather, a statement on the accumulated burden.
I understand the 1 percent levy lift restrictions. I know the city takes just 22 percent of the property tax pie. State laws need changing. But inflation has hit us, too. Sorry, but this levy lift was a tax too far.
