Regional Fire Authority tax is too costly for Kent residents

The Kent City Council is going to let voters decide if they want to tax themselves under the Regional Fire Authority plan.

Only one Council member supports the Regional Fire Authority proposal, two oppose it and others have serious concerns (Kent Reporter – Kent Voters to decide on new tax district: Regional fire authority by Steve Hunter, Dec. 11, 2009).

I, too, have serious concerns. It will mean a greater tax burden for all of us based on assessed property value plus a fire benifit charge. For this extra tax burden the plan is to give us better service. We all are in favor of receiving better service but there are times when we can’t afford it and have to be satisfied with what we have. In addition, we can expect to pay more taxes coming to us from Olympia and Washington, D.C.

As councilwoman Jamie Danielson said, “We are asking people to raise their taxes in one of the worst economic downturns.”

Of major concern is the heavy tax burden the Regional Fire Authority will place on local business. Some are no longer in existence and others are having a difficult time surrviving. If you think your tax will be heavy, talk with your local business owners and find out how this tax will affect them. If they don’t know, they had better find out.

I have a copy of the letter being sent to Washington and Oregon business owners by the govenor of Idaho inviting them to relocate in his state which is more tax friendly. We don’t want to lose our local business owners who help pay the taxes for this area. Vote NO on a Regional Fire Authority, we can’t afford it. Heed the words of Councilwoman Danielson when she said, “I’ll let the voters decide. But they need to have their eyes open.”

Arlene Jensen

Kent

Editor’s note: The Council initially outlined its reservations in December about forming a regional fire authority but returned to vote unanimously in February to recommend that voters approve the proposal.

See the stories online:

Dec. 11

Feb. 24