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Statement For · Tracy Banaszynski, Edouard Lassalle, Juliana Pooley
statement appears human Committee: Tracy Banaszynski, Edouard Lassalle, Juliana Pooley
Proposition 1 funds trees, greenspace, and readiness for hotter summers, wildfire smoke, and heavier storms and flooding. It provides affordable homes through ARCH, our regional housing partner, so seniors, essential workers, and our kids can live here. And it connects our neighbors to the food, utilities, and health care support they need.
It costs $3/month per $100,000 of assessed value – about $29/month for Kenmore’s median home. Eligible seniors, retired persons with disabilities, and disabled veterans are exempt from the increase. State law limits regular property tax increases to 1% a year, but Kenmore’s costs have risen about 5% a year over the past five years. This levy lid lift helps us keep services despite inflation, and without creating debt. State law requires these dollars fund only the purposes on your ballot.
Hotter, smokier summers, heavier storms, rising housing costs, and neighbors in crisis don’t wait for a better budget year. And solutions get more expensive the longer we wait. It costs less to keep a family housed and fed than it does to react after they lose their home.
Cutting resiliency programs doesn’t save money. It defers the bill. Vote Yes on Proposition 1.
Rebuttal of argument against
Kenmore’s increased spending: population growth (1%), inflation (29%!), and necessary new resiliency services (10%). The state 1% property tax cap on cities means voters must approve levies such as Prop 1 just to keep up with inflation.
State law prohibits levies from being blank checks. Prop 1 funds community resiliency: heat pumps and solar to lower utility bills, backup power during storms, more tree canopy, and affordable homes for families. It helps everyone. Vote Yes.
Statement Against · Laurie Sperry, John Hendrickson, Dave Postetter
statement appears partly AI Committee: Laurie Sperry, John Hendrickson, Dave Postetter
Keep Kenmore affordable and the City Council accountable. Vote No on Proposition 1. If passed, it will raise Kenmore’s property tax rate by over 51% in 2027–costing the average household over $2,000 during the six-year levy period. Worse, this increase will become permanent and the base for further tax increases.
Many Kenmore residents already feel the strain of rising costs. Higher property taxes don’t just affect homeowners. They also lead to increased rents, higher costs for local businesses, and less affordability for everyone, especially those least able to absorb another tax increase. These effects are regressive. This is simply the wrong time for another major tax increase.
Since 2020, Kenmore’s population grew just 1.6%, while City spending increased more than 40% and staffing grew 36%. Now, having exhausted one-time COVID funds and other temporary revenues, the City Council is asking taxpayers to make up the difference.
There’s no guarantee the new taxes will be spent on “Climate and Environmental Stewardship, Affordable Housing, and Human Services.” Prop. 1 will allow the City Council to “modify spending priorities and shift funding among authorized uses.” Future Councils may redirect funds without voter approval. Demand accountability. Protect affordability. Vote No on Prop. 1.
Rebuttal of argument for
Kenmore’s commitments to housing stability, climate resilience, and social support remain in place without Proposition 1. The City will continue funding these priorities. This vote is about fiscal accountability and balancing our shared values with affordability.
We must demand disciplined budgeting rather than permanent tax spikes. By aligning spending with existing revenues, we ensure transparency, protect lower and middle-income residents from rising taxes, and keep our community accessible and financially responsible for everyone. Vote No.