November 23, 2011 Locally owned Founded 1992 50 cents
Skyline soccer wins state
City gives land to Habitat By Caleb Heeringa
Photo by Christopher Huber
Tina Vargas, Skyline senior goalkeeper, can't contain her joy as she celebrates with teammate Nicole Candioglos after they beat Bellarmine Prep 1-0 Nov. 19 for the Class 4A championship at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. See the story on Page 16.
City Council debates property tax increase By Caleb Heeringa
Public employees are going to cost more in 2012 than they did in 2011 – that much is clear. How the city should cover those increased costs, though, is a matter of debate within the Sammamish City Council, with some in favor of raising property taxes to keep pace and others suggesting the city tap its savings account. The council is due to decide one way or another at their Dec. 6 meeting. For Councilman Mark Cross, who is entering his last month on the council, the issue comes down to addressing the budgetary boogeyman that rears its head at nearly every one of the city’s fiscal discussions – the crossover point when the cost of doing business outpaces the city’s ability to raise
“I support taking that 1 percent. That constitutes a solid funding stream.” – Mark Cross, Councilman – revenue. “What you do when you vote against (a 1 percent property tax increase) – which is a dollar and a half per-month increase for Sammamish citizens – is you’re shifting from a solid, dependable income source for the city to one that is more variable,” Cross said at a Nov. 14 council meeting. “I support taking that 1 percent. That constitutes a solid funding stream – that means another year that we can get by without a (business and
occupation) tax or another year without the utility tax that all other cities our size in the state have.” By variable tax source, Cross was referring to income streams that are highly dependent on the real estate market and broader economy, like excise taxes on home sales, sales tax and investment income – all of which have fluctuated significantly in recent years. The city’s investment income is the only of the city’s revenue stream that officials expect to come in below projections in 2011 – at least 18 percent and $55,000 under budget, according to Finance Director Joe Guinasso. Real estate and construction-related revenues have come in well above the city’s admittedly conservative projections for 2011. See TAX, Page 2
Eastlake falls in tournament
McAuliffe’s dogged dads
sports page 16
schools page 14
The city will be donating property next to 228th Avenue for use as a Habitat For Humanity project in the coming years. At their Nov. 14 meeting, the Sammamish City Council voted unanimously, with Councilmen John Curley and John James absent, to surplus the Lamb House and hand it over to the non-profit, which will construct an affordable housing development on the property. The home, located near the corner of 228th and Southeast 20th Street, had been used to house parks and public works equipment until the city constructed a proper Maintenance and Operations Center on 244th Avenue earlier this year. The property is valued at $467,000. Tom Granger, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of East King County, said last week the organization would be working on a design plan next year and then start fundraising for the construction materials. Construction is likely several years away, he said. Sammamish resident Rosemary Carrel spoke in favor of the transfer at the meeting. “We have people that don’t have fantastic incomes in the community,” Carrel said. “We need to provide for these people as well as the Microsofters and everyone else in the community.” Reporter Caleb Heeringa can be reached at 392-6434. ext. 247, or cheeringa@isspress.com. To comment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
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