Community center popular, but more taxes aren't

By ERICA JAHN

Staff writer

The Federal Way City Council is torn in budget philosophy between coasting through the economic downturn with existing services and revenue or raising taxes to lay the groundwork for new services and facilities.

The 2003-04 budget proposes continuing the existing 5 percent utility tax and adding another 1 percent to it, implementing a 5 percent admissions tax, raising the stormwater rate 6.5 percent and increasing permit fees 14 percent.

Federal Way residents appear to favor some new services, like adding police, keeping the Kenneth Jones pool open and building a community and senior center — this cycle’s darkhorse issue — but few seem to support proposed tax increases and most don’t buy into the city’s need for a municipal facility downtown.

“I and many others worry about whether we can stay in our homes with ever-rising property taxes .... and the council plans to build a spiffy new city hall in the city center core? What’s the matter with you?” said Cheryl Nevers, who addressed the council at a budget hearing last Tuesday.

“Entire families are homeless here in Federal Way. Businesses are closing. And you must have a spiffy new office in the city center? I don’t think so,” she said.

Tax increases and new capital projects are sitting ill with some of the council members, too.

Councilman Mike Hellickson, who expects to leave the council by the end of the year when his family moves to Lake Tapps, also said he opposes tax increases and new projects.

In what will be one of his last acts as a Federal Way City Council member, he will draft an amendment to the budget that won’t include the proposed 5 percent admissions tax or the 1 percent increase to the utility tax.

But other city residents commended the council for what was repeatedly called visionary planning.

“I’m pleased the council has the forward thinking to consider a community center,” Mike Anderson told the council Tuesday night. “A step forward for a public facility, a facility for seniors, a pool facility is very right-minded.”

Betty Hoff encouraged council members to continue funding for the senior and community center.

“Such funding is visionary and healthy and signifies a city that is moving forward,” she said.