To the editor:

The City has long-standing budget issues that we have an obligation to address. Our constituents have demanded the level of police, park & recreation, and other services we are currently providing … and have asked for more police services. To balance these interests will take a combination of efficiencies, cuts, and additional revenues. That is what we’ve been working on since early August.
 
The City has the right to impose a utility tax on water and sewer services. If we wind up adopting one, we will also implement a rebate program for low-income seniors and the disabled.
 
Regarding a franchise agreement, we tried getting the utility districts interested in adopting one about four and a half years ago, but without much interest.  Only Water District #54 and Lakehaven Water & Sewer District chose to enter into one at that time.
 
Listening to the community, we will try to come to some agreement with the utility districts early next year; but we preserve our right to implement a tax if needed.
 
Dave Kaplan
Mayor & Councilmember
City of Des Moines, WA"