Misleading us with numbers is not allowed. Such verbiage is a slight of hand intended to deceive the people. You make a big deal out of a so-called decrease in the property tax rate, yet the exorbitant increases in assessed values have netted the City a huge increase in actual property tax revenues. Just speak to the simple reality of the situation, and that simple reality for me is the City portion of my property taxes increased 12% this year ($1308 up from $1168 in 2001). Why haven't you considered the plight of property owners beset with excessive assessed value increases in a time of declining resale values? Why haven't you considered the plight of the seniors on fixed incomes? If you truly believed you did the right thing with the property taxes of the people who voted for you, then tell them why you think that way, because silence from an elected official is not acceptable.

Sincerely,
Inez P. Petersen
3306 Lake Wash Blvd North #2
Renton, WA 98056-1978
425-255-5543

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Dear Ms. Petersen,

Your inability or unwillingness to directly answer a very simple question confirms my suspicions that this "anti-tax crusade" led by admitted liar Tim Eyman is based on willful ignorance and mental and physical laziness rather than facts and concern for providing government services efficiently and cost-effectively. The anti-tax party line that you and the others are promoting is a deliberate attempt to mislead and confuse voters. If there are any property owners who don't realize that city taxes on an individual property result from the assessed value of the property, which is set by the King County Assessor, multiplied by the tax rate, which is set by the City Council, I have yet to meet one.

The point of my question is that according to Eyman, Guppy, et al when the Assessor raises the assessments (meaning that the property owner has more valuable property) then the City Council gets the blame. If the Assessor lowers the assessments, causing individual taxes to down, then the City Council gets no credit. The fact is that the City Council has no control over the County Assessor. The only power to affect property taxes that the City Council has is its authority to set the tax rate. The rates have decreased for 3 years in a row. What has raised individual taxes is inflation, something over which the Council has no direct control. If you want to blame us for helping make Renton a more desirable place to live, raising property values, then we are guilty as charged, and proud of it!

It comes down to blaming government representatives - throwing stones - rather than getting involved in the process to make things better. It seems that those who howl the loudest about property taxes are the least involved in volunteering and helping in the community to be a better place to live. I saw an email from Terry Persson showing the Council Member's property taxes. We pay property taxes too!

Dan Clawson
Renton City Council

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Since I've been mentioned in this discussion regarding Renton property taxes, I feel it is important to clarify certain points.

Elected officials should only be held accountable for the budget decisions they control. Renton city council members do not control the assessed value of property in Renton; that is determined by the real-estate market as measured by the assessor. City council members do, however, control the total about of money that is collected in taxes each year from Renton property owners. When the total property tax collection goes down, that's a tax cut, and the city council should get credit for it. When the total property tax collection goes up, that's a tax increase, and the city council should be held accountable for it.

If total tax collections go down because property values go down, that is still to the credit of the city council, because it chose to exercise restraint by not increasing the tax rate to offset the decline in values. When total property tax collections go up, whether values are going up or down, that is the responsibility of the city council. The council knows total assessed values in Renton in advance, and sets the tax rate based on the total amount of tax money it wants to collect. If values are rising fast enough, the city council can even reduce the tax RATE, and still collect more money than the previous year. That is a tax INCREASE. Bottom line: by controling the rate the city council controls the total amount of tax collected, regardless of what is happening to property values. Over 1998 - 2001 Renton increased regular property tax collections by 17.2%. Inflation over the same period was 6.95%.

In 2002 the Renton city council increased regular property tax collections by 4.9% (Ordinance No. 4931, passed December 10, 2001). This is a substantial tax increase and well above the 1% level voters called for in passing Initiative 747. Higher assessed values allowed the city council to keep the tax RATE flat at $3.27 per $1,000 of value and still collect more money from Renton property owners. If the council had wished not to impose a tax increase, or to limit the increase to 1%, it would have reduced the tax rate to offset the rise in property values.

Regarding individuals, the city council cannot control how property taxes impact single owners. The owner of a fast-rising property may end up with a tax increase one year, even if the council reduced the overall tax burden. Similarly, the owner of property whose value is flat or declining may experience a tax decreasing one year, even when the city council has increased the total amount of taxes collected. Naturally, it is far more likely that an individual's taxes will go up when the city council is increasing the total tax burden, and that the individual's taxes will go down when the council is reducing the total tax burden.

I hope these points are helpful.

- Paul Guppy , Research Director , Washington Policy Center
(206) 937-9691

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Dan,

Read your correspondence to Inez Petersen and cannot see where you asked a direct question. You went on and on about nothing and from what we see you danced all around the questions she first put to you. What don't you understand about a question mark? You are like a kid with a long stick poking at a bee's nest. You are treading in dangerous territory when you say the voters do not know what they are doing. Remember who voted for I-695 and I-747. From what you said in the past we know you did not go along with the majority of the voter here in Renton.

When you challenge a women who is disabled, you move into another dimension that the league of women voters would love to hear about. Inez is not one to speak about her disability and she would if she had the ability too volunteer in the community. She is a very caring individual and tries in her own way to let the Citizens of Renton know what will be impacting them in the future. If it were not for her disability Inez would by the majority of the voters in Renton been elected to the position you currently hold on the Renton City Council.

Be careful as to what you say about Paul Guppy. This man was selected as one of the six up and coming leaders in the state of Washington by the Times and P.I. Editorials. After reading and hearing many of your communications with the public, I know this man will eat you for breakfast if you continue to challenge his integrity. He did this to you once before, do you want to happen again? I personally would like to see you try and once again humiliate yourself if front of the community. Do us a favor and send him the same letter you sent Inez. This time we will ask the local papers to get involved and publish the responses back from Paul Guppy. I'm would be an eye opener for the property tax payers her in Renton. My perception is that you are afraid of him and really do not have the what for all to take him on.

One more time, I will simplify the math for you. My portion of the Renton City Property taxes are driven by the rate you on the Council authorize (it s Budget driven). You know well in advance what the AV rate from the Assessors Office will be for the next year. If you really cared about the rate payer, what you should have done was to subtract that AV rate/percentage from the last year s rate and then add back in the 1% you are authorized by law. And guess what you would of come up with. It's not the not $3.26 rate you inadvertently voted for. It would calculate out to $3.11 per thousand of assessed rate. That's a difference that would have been more acceptable to the homeowners in Renton. Those who read your reply back to Ms. Petersen made the comment that you should schedule yourself for a refresher class in basic math and maybe, just maybe, the light will turn as to how these numbers are calculated. I am hopeful that maybe someday in the future you will truly understand what people in and out of the community are trying to tell you. If you need some help in understanding this simple process, please call me and I will set up a class for you.

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Dear Councilman Clawson:

Here is the problem I've been trying to convey: You, the mayor, and the rest of the council are trying to propagate the impression that city leaders are really doing a great job for the citizens of Renton because the property tax "rate" has decreased. This message fools everyone but the people who look at the "billing distribution" on their tax statements and notice that their property tax "amount" actually increased, not decreased. So it matters not what the rate is. What matters is the dollar amount that comes out of my pocket and out of the pockets of every other taxpayer; and that amount increased at least 10% on average in the city of Renton this year. If you have to read this simple paragraph over some more to get it, please do so. Talk about a "deliberate attempt to mislead and confuse voters"! You and the other city leaders take the prize for that.

You made the statement in your letter below that "those who howl the loudest about property taxes are the least involved in volunteering and helping in the community to be a better place to live." This is typical of bureaucrats who have no other basis to defend their actions than to attack the character of those who question them. Inspite of my health problems and disability, I believe I am volunteering and helping the community. I write letters to the editor frequently and most of them are printed. And as moderator of the Renton Political Action Network newsgroup, I provide a way to get the truth out there via the internet. That is a major service to the community if you ask me.

Those of us concerned with excessive taxation and poorly prioritized budgets are not willfully ignorant or mentally and physically lazy as you assert in your letter; but again you must resort to disparaging characer slurs because you can't defend your position any other way.

Sincerely,
Inez P. Petersen
3306 Lake Wash Blvd North #2
Renton, WA 98056-1978
425-255-5543

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I went to the Renton city council meeting on March 11th to reiterate my message that the City has focused on the tax rate, instead of actual tax dollars collected, and in so doing has misled the citizens in Renton. I delivered a short presentation on Property Tax 101; but my message didn't get through. I had no chance for rebuttal, and the mayor spouted the usual rhetoric about rates without regard to total tax dollars collected. Total dollars matter more than the tax rate. He chastized me for using bad language and probably left the impression with everyone that I used the F-word. Not so. I said something in one of my letters to the effect that his tax policy could come back to bite him in the ass. Frankly, I didn't know the word ass was a swear word; but finding fault with me is one way to divert attention from his grand property tax deception.

Property Taxes 101

What the City did

What the City should have done

Source: Information provided by Paul Guppy, Research Director Washington Policy Center, (206) 937-9691

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Dear Mr. Persson:

I find your communication to me extremely demeaning and insulting in tone. You may hate me personally because of my letter to the South County Journal in 1999, and that is your right. The point of that letter, though maybe not well made, was that I felt that you needed more knowledge of public issues before serving on the City Council, not that you were permanently unqualified. I would hope that you would be inspired to be more informed by it and to get more involved with the public process rather than less.

At the same time I do represent the Renton citizens who elected me, and while you may not respect me you should respect the office. I made it very clear in my campaign that I opposed 695 and 747, and would vote to use property taxes to bring in sufficient revenue to fund what in my best judgment will benefit Renton's citizens. Rosemary Quesenberry took the opposite position. She lost, as did Chris Clifford on the same platform. The message I get from the people of Renton is that they approve of me being in office, as they elected me. I cannot please everybody, but I am doing my best to see that public funds are brought in sufficient amounts to do the job and spent wisely.

As to Paul Guppy, we communicate respectfully with each other. We obviously disagree strongly on tax policy. I would welcome the opportunity for a public debate with him on tax issues.

My reference to mental and physical laziness was not directed at Inez Petersen, who seems to get around and do lots of things in spite of her disabilities. It is definitely directed at Tim Eyman, whose conduct I have despised publicly from day one. It is unfortunate that so many fall for the "free lunch" scam that he has promoted, which I believe does appeal to those who are mentally and physically lazy by offering simplistic solutions to complex tax issues.

Dan Clawson
Renton City Council

Inez's comment: I can't restrain myself. What arrogance! So we citizens who question excessive taxation and voted for I-695 and I-747 are "free lunchers," people who are mentally and physically lazy, who can offer nothing but simplistic solutions to complex tax issues. To combat this great social evil, Clawson is going to do everything he can to ensure that taxes are collected in "sufficient" amounts to fund what he considers best for us.

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Dear City Council Members:

I am writing with regard to my comments in the council meeting last night.

My bad? language
The City has focused on the tax rate, instead of actual tax dollars collected, and in so doing has misled the citizens in Renton. The mayor cannot dispute this fact, so he attacked me, giving people who view the council meeting via television the impression that I had used something akin to the F-word in my letters to you; and, of course, I had no opportunity for rebuttal. You each received a copy of my letter and know what I said, which was, "I hope this lie bites him in the ass." This is swearing? I don't' think so.

The past must be considered
Councilman Corman made the comment last night that we should forget about the past and concentrate on the future. But to do the right thing in the future, the Council must understand the past, or it will be doomed to repeat mistakes of the past.

I have enclosed a copy of Paul Guppy's e-mail note from which I derived my "Property Tax 101" sheet (copy enclosed as well). You, as city council members, are responsible for the property tax rate, hence the property tax amount, imposed upon Renton property owners. This is a huge responsibility and requires that you question the budget and the tax figures brought forth by the mayor and his staff. When you vote yes for a budget increase or for an increase in property tax dollars, without accurate answers to the right questions, you are voting from a subjective, rather than an objective standpoint.

My personal property tax history is attached; and it is probably similar to most others in Renton. I don't have the record for all years since purchasing my property, but this gives you a good picture regarding why I'm concerned about property taxes. My fixed income is being eaten up by property tax increases. In another seven years at the current rate, one-third of my income will be required to pay my property taxes. The tax rate being publicized by the City is irrelevant to me. What matters is the dollar amount I'm actually paying. Certainly you can see that?

I'm not sure what the 1% rule of I-747 will mean to me personally with regard to next year's taxes. But if assessed values continue to go up and up, the City won't be hurting for money, since even a 1% tax rate will probably pull in more money than the City needs.

Questions for the Council
Will you have the courage to fight for a lesser percentage to ease the tax burden on the residents of Renton? When assessments go up quickly, the City's 1% property tax limit can net far more funds than the City needs for reasonable operation [or to cover new construction as the mayor keeps mentioning].

Will you require the mayor and his staff to provide a truly prioritized budget which will allow you to "live within your means" rather than continuously dipping into the pocket of the taxpayers?

I suspect that the mayor would like to expand the budget so it matches the maximum amount of tax dollars that can be collected by law? But is spending all you can get really fair to the people?

Will you take advantage of future tax loopholes, even when the will of the people probably indicates you should do otherwise? For example, most people voted for I-747 and its 1% lid, but Renton exceeded this cap by taking advantage of a loophole in the law called "banked capacity." With regard to taxes, will you fulfill both the letter and the spirit of the law?

Will you consider the plight of those on fixed incomes? Why not be "ahead of the curve" and lobby for more tax relief for these residents? What about lobbying for a freeze of assessed values for seniors, with a re-assessment to bring property up to value each time a property is sold? Something has to be done; seniors are being forced out of their homes at an alarming rate; and this should not be allowed to continue.

Will you use tax rates again in a way that misleads the public regarding how much their tax dollars are actually increasing? Perhaps you yourselves were mislead by the mayor and his staff. I know that several of you asked Victoria Runkle if the City were adhering to the 1% limit. Well, it was . . . sort of. You must ask the right questions to get the kind of answers that will truly expand your understanding. Terry Persson has a suggestion to help in this area.

In closing
There is a balance between tax dollars collected and a reasonable city budget. Recently I have hit hard, asking for accountability for what you have done with property taxes in the City of Renton. All but one of you have ignored my inquiries; and the one that answered replied using the mayor's party line on taxes. I think we voters deserve something better.

Terry Persson's suggestion is for the Council to hire an independent financial analyst to look at the budget and tax recommendations that come from the mayor and his staff. Using an independent third party to help you analyze the appropriateness of the mayor's proposed budget and tax rate and its impact on the property owners in Renton would be a great help. The mayor won't like this idea, and maybe he'll keep the purse strings closed. But if so, please let the public know so they can respond.

I remember when the Council passed increases right before I-695 was to go into effect, never mind that voters were sending you a message about excessive fees, licenses, and taxes. Your actions showed that you did not trust us to know when increases were appropriate. I think we voters are smarter than that; but for sure citizens are rebelling against excessive taxation from every possible angle.

You have an opportunity to be "ahead of the curve" in putting some sanity back into the amount of property tax dollars collected. Please look at taxes differently in the next budget cycle. And please consider Terry Persson's suggestion about getting outside professional help in assessing the impact of the mayor's recommendations on the people of Renton.

Sincerely,
Inez P. Petersen
3306 Lake Wash Blvd North #2
Renton, WA 98056-1978
Telephone 425-255-5543
cc: Paul Guppy, Rob McKenna

Attachments: My Property Tax History
Paul Guppy's e-mail note of March 11, 2002
Property Tax 101

PERSONAL TAX HISTORY
ASSESSED VALUE
Year	Assessed	Increase in Assessed Value
2002	$390,000	12.7% over previous year
2001	$346,000	12.7% over previous year
2000	$307,000	13.7% over previous year
1999	$270,000	no increase
1998	$270,000	no increase
1997	$270,000	no increase
1996	$270,000	no increase
1995	$270,000	?
1994 year I purchased my property
CITY PORTION OF PROPERTY TAX DISTRIBUTION
Year	City taxes	Increase in City Taxes
2002	$1308	12% over previous year
2001	$1168	3% over previous year
2000	$1131	12% over previous year
1999	$1012	?
1998	?	?
1997	$1077	1% over previous year
1996	$1065	?
1995	?	?
1994 year I purchased my property

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Dear Mr. Persson,

There is a carry-forward ordinance coming forward eventually that will bring unspent moneys from 2001 into the 2002 budget. Some items being considered are a parks vehicle maintenance garage ($5m), a swimming pool ($5m), helping the Veterans finish the memorial park ($365k), and erecting a new building to replace the Pavilion Building ($3m estimate roughly). The Administration proposes financing these projects through issuing councilmanic bonds and using unspent funds already allocated or coming from interest or other sources.

It is my concern that there be plenty of opportunity for public comment on these expenditures, and I intend to do what I can to see that this happens. Right now the carry-forward ordinance is in Finance Committee, where King is chair and Don Persson is co-chair and I am a member.

Now is the time to speak up on whether we should undertake new debt and spend down the city's reserves. As chair of the Public Safety Committee, I am concerned that there is not sufficient funding for police patrol officers, and that committing future funds will make this shortage permanent. 747 advocates may believe that these expenditures should be out to a public vote.

People can address the Council at meetings, write letters to the editor, or contact council members directly. You should be able to get information on this through the Mayor's office or the Council secretary. If there is any problem getting information please let me know. The decisions made shortly will impact city taxes for many years to come.

Dan Clawson
Renton City Council

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Council Members ,

My Husband and I watched the March 11th Renton City Council meeting last night on channel 21. A Ms. Petersen signed up and gave the council an overview of her understanding of the Renton Property tax increases over the last few years. What she said raised some concern on our part and we sat down and developed a few questions we would like the Finance Committee Chair to answer.

Our questions are important to us in that there seems from what we are hearing to be a lot of misinformation being published by the city about our property taxes. An example is the publication by the city in the Renton Reporter that indicates a decrease in levy rates. This leaves the reader to think that the homeowner s property taxes are going down. But after receiving our tax statements from the King County Assessors Office and listening to Ms. Peterson, we now have doubts as to the truth in the publications put out by the City of Renton.

Would you please have Councilman King Parker respond to our questions at the next council meeting? As Chairperson of the Finance Committee Mr. Parker should feel very comfortable in answering these questions. Also please have Mr. Parker provide us with a copy of the material he uses to answer our questions.

Thanks You ,
Jim and Shawn Curry
1720 Kirkland Ave. N.E.
Renton, Wash. 98056
Home Phone 425-255-1551

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Recent tax assessments have shifted a greater portion of the tax burden from businesses to residential property owners. I did not support the tax increases adopted by the Renton for the 1991 budget year and I will not support additional taxes or tax increases. Many of us live on pensions or social security, and we cannot tolerate the inexorable increase in the cost of living in our City .

I will continue to support the right of each Citizen to participate in City decisions affecting our lives, and to receive fair and courteous treatment in such participation .
[Inez's comment: See how the mayor lives up to his promise by reading this letter .]

The above statements are written by the candidates, who are solely responsible for the contents.

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Note: The letter below relates to Terry Persson's attempt to schedule a presenation at the Senior Center regarding how to read and interpret recently received King County property tax statements. As you read the note below, ask yourself why Sylvia Allen, the City's Recreation Director, needs to keep such tight control over the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee and why she needs to consult with the high-priced city attorney over something as simple as a discussion regarding property tax statements. Could it be that the City party line about taxes is misleading and the City wants to suppress the real truth?

Inez,
I received a memo from the desk of Sylvia H. Allen, which says:

"Mr. Persson, As promised, I am forwarding you a copy of the by-laws of the Renton Senior Citizens Advisory Committee. Also, as promised, I am still working with the Senior Center staff and the City Attorney to find an appropriate time and occasion for you to present your information at the Senior Center. I will be in contact with you in the very near future to make final arrangements".

It my perception that Sylvia and Jesse deserve each other. It does not say much for her when she states that she must first go through the City Attorney before she can schedule a review to the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee about property tax increases. Is it now true that Renton Administration employees need on a daily basis the consultation of an expensive attorney before they can do anything? I was under the impression that she was qualified to make those decisions on her own.

It's no wonder the city spending is out of control.

Terry Persson

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If the voters in Renton really understood what was happening with their taxes, there would be hell to pay. Ooops, did I use inappropriate language?

Councilman Don Persson wrote on Thu, 14 Mar 2002 16:03:37
Inez,
I am sorry that it appears that I have "joined the wall of silence". I have answered the question on taxes to the best of my ability, This has been a very good learning experience for me; and as you will see in the upcoming days, I will fight to not increase the budget unless I feel it is necessary to do so for public safety.

I am well aware that our taxes have gone up, mine personally as you know have risen more than a lot of others. On one hand I have people tell me their taxes have gone up and on the other hand have had people tell me their taxes went down. All of this is based on assessed valuation of property. I understand your argument on looking at the total tax bill verus the cost per thousand.

There are many ways to look at how taxes are levied; and I am thankful for people like you who put us to the challenge to look at different ways of doing business. We are changing the way we do budgeting in 2003 which will mean the budget process will start earlier and give citizens a better opportunity to express their wishes and concerns. Hopefully this will help the citizens and council to get more information earlier in the budget cycle.

I will continue to answer questions when asked me and when I have the ability to answer them. If I do not know the answer I will go find the answer, and on this issue there is no doubt that there is a difference of opinion which I respect. As always you have good questions and cause me to research and re think issues.

Inez Petersen wrote on Thu, 14 Mar 2002 19:31:58
Don,
I am happy to hear from you. It is astounding that the other council members, especially the other members of the Finance Committee, are playing dumb. Subject too hot to handle? I'm going to continue my campaign to alert citizens that the mayor's party line on taxes is 100% misleading. Just as Paul Guppy said, a tax increase occurs when total tax dollars collected go up. Tax dollars collected went up in the City of Renton on average 10.5%. Did you check into whether the City violated its own 106% ordinance in its endevors to squeeze every last penny of property tax from us?

Terry Persson wrote on Fri, 15 Mar 2002 07:30:25
. . . that was a good response from Don. The problem is that he still does not understand the numbers. In my response back to them, I gave Don and the other councilman the equation that would provide them with what the Renton City Levy rate should have been. It worked out to be 3.11 not the 3.26 authorized by them. This equation takes into effect that most pay more while some pay less. It is not hard to come up with a number that is fare and equitable. But Don, King and Dan want to throw the issue over the fence for others to find a solution. The solution is already in front of them, hire a third party professional firm to review and make recommendations to the council. Then publish the finding to the public and wait for Citizen feedback before approving a new budget and levy rate. Don't depend on the fox to tell you what that budget and levy rate should be. Don is still skirting the issue and has not answered any of the questions that you and I asked. Lets see how the letters turned in Wednesday with four direct questions are handled. My perception is they will do everything to downplay these questions. I will bring this up at the Finance Committee meeting this coming Monday at 5:00P.M.

There was also an excellent article entitled "Utility tax won't bail county out of budget mess" in today's Times. It was authored by Rob McKenna. Food for thought.

Don Persson wrote on Fri, 15 Mar 2002:
According to the city attorney we did not violate our own policy's.

Inez Petersen wrote on Fri, 15 Mar 2002:
Dear Councilman Persson:
This isn't an adequate answer to a perfectly legitimate question. The King County Assessor says the average increase in Renton is 10.5% and the City ordinance is for a max of 6%. This is what prompted my question. Did you get some "facts and data" from the city attorney to explain why we citizens should believe you when you say that the city is not violating its own ordinance? I can't believe you asked the question, got his answer?, and then walked away satified.

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Again the Journal endorses another tax increase. Although I don't live in Auburn, I can see why so many people did not want to support another new school being built. I'm sure the seniors had a lot to say about it with property taxes being so high anyway, and on a fixed income it's becoming very difficult to pay these taxes.

I live in Kent and here every school levy on the ballot is passed and then some. That's why my taxes have gone up $766 this year alone, which has increased more than 25 percent from last year.

Either I pay it or I'm out on the street, so each month I have to decide what I can do without so I can save enough money for April 30 and Oct. 31.

As a retired senior, I do not have an offset for these increased taxes. I have to absorb them as well as increases in the cost of living.

It just amazes me how overtaxed the seniors are and nobody cares. Is anybody listening? Just take a 10-15 percent pay cut every year and see how it feels.

Betty Rock
Kent

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Dear mayor and council members:
I'm passing you a copy of a Betty Rock's Letter to the Editor from the 03/13/02 South County Journal. Terry Persson and I aren't the only ones speaking out about excessive property taxes. And it is always good to remember campaign promises you've made regarding property taxes.

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In this mornings South County Journal on Page A3 , there is an article entitled "Renton leaders discuss ways to spend $5 million budget balance". Read it and give me your thoughts. If they do what Tanner wants, we will incur more debt to service; and it will have to come out of the general fund. This would force and even larger budget net year and an in increase in the property taxes. An guess who will have to pay for it, the home owners. Remember the interest we pay does not add any value to the projects that have been built or funded. It is money down a rat hole. Every one of these project Tanner and Parker are supporting will be an additional liability to the home owners in our community. Just how much debt can this city put us in?

King Parker is not an advocate of the Retired home owner who faces the yearly burden of paying their increasing property tax bill. And then there's Jesse Tanner who continues the deception of caring for those who are on pensions and fixed income. Jesse Tanner and Kingsley Parker need to get back to reality. The reality of just who pays for what. They need someone to teach them that the tax and spend policies they foster systematically hurts those on fixed incomes.

Mayor Tanner should be ashamed of himself for forgetting his campaign promises to the senior citizens of Renton. Or is that now with the combined income of a pension from his federal job and high salary as Mayor, he no longer cares about those who have to truly manage their money in order to survive and still keep shelter over their families heads.

Tanner and the Renton City Council are like a kid with a VISA card. They just keep buying everything in sight and could care less as to who will pays the bill when it comes in at the end of the month. As these bills comes due over the next twenty years, the who pays is simple. It's the seniors on a fixed incomes, the families who are struggling financially to survive and our children who might also become home owner here in Renton.

The excess money's they talked about needs to be used to pay down the City debt. This will help drive down the burden on the Renton Property owners in the 2003 budget cycle. We need to put in place an ordnance that would place limits on the amount of debt the Renton City council would be allowed to put us into. One that goes beyond the State and County laws. We are in a economic downturn and this is the time the Renton City Council needs to focus on paying down the debt they incurred in the past instead of planning to add even more debt to the total we currently sustain. These so-called surplus funds that become available each year should (if your a prudent person) be used to pay off outstand debt the city carries on the books. These funds are not dollars that should be wasted on the low priority political projects. These dollars belong to us the tax payers of Renton and they should not be wasted on pet projects. King Parker needs to remember that the tax payers here in the city of Renton can be very unforgiving to those who keep authorizing increases in their property taxes. The Renton Council should now know that there are now a few concerned citizens who will work very hard to educate the Renton home owners as to just who is responsible for these unnecessary property tax increases. Lets not forget that our elected city leaders raised our property taxes over 17% in only three years. If they continue in this progressive mode they will tax many of the our seniors right out of their homes. Is this truly what we want for our seniors who have work all there lives to pay for a home to retire in? We need to understand our past and pay attention to what our priorities are today and in the future . We want to make sure that our children can live and raise their families here in Renton with a secure mindset that in the future they will not lose there homes due to the ever increasing property taxes our Renton City Council continues to support.

Terry Persson
425-228-5848

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King ,

We would like to schedule a meeting with you (at any local location and time) to review some concerns we have that relate to your understand of Bonding, City Debt and Renton City Levy Rates.

Please at your convenience schedule this meeting.

Thanks ,

Terry Persson
425-228-5848
Don Veitch
425-255-1583

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File: http://www.seanet.com/~webgirl/rpan/tax0302.html
Posted: 03/01/02 [and added to almost daily]