Seattle’s New Tax Plan Could Have You Paying Twice for City Services

TELL MAYOR KATIE WILSON THAT HER PROPOSAL TO DOUBLE-DIP ON PROPERTY TAXES FOR SEATTLE FIRE SERVICES IS UNACCEPTABLE

In an attempt to address the City of Seattle’s projected $175 million budget shortfall, Mayor Katie Wilson has proposed the creation of a new fire district to be overseen by the City Council. But the City of Seattle currently provides fire services budgeted by the City Council, so how would Wilson’s plan reduce the city’s budget deficit? By double-dipping on property taxes.

Currently, fire services are paid for out of the city’s general fund (using sales, business and of course, property tax dollars.) If approved, this new fire district would allow the City of Seattle to bring in $350 million in new property taxes for the same fire services overseen by the same City Council. The original property tax dollars which were previously used to fund fire services would then by shuffled to cover the city’s $175 million general budget hole. The result? No increase in fire services. No independently elected fire commissioners to provide oversight. And a massive $350 million property tax hike for Seattle residents.

This is such a bad plan that even the fire union is reportedly refusing to back it. Rather than double-dipping on taxpayers’ pocketbooks, Mayor Wilson should propose spending cuts to reduce Seattle’s budget issues that exist even with higher city tax collections, which has been caused by irresponsible spending. You can use the Take Action tool from our friends at Change Washington to contact Mayor Wilson directly.

Make your voice heard on this important issue by emailing Mayor Katie Wilson and the City Council and tell them that the Mayor’s proposal to double-dip on property taxes for fire services is unacceptable!