The “Cost” to Kirkland Seniors if the Utility Tax Increase Is Not Passed
By Debra Sinick
In the point-counterpoint between those for and against the utility tax increase, Mr. Style, the opponent of the utility tax, uses the cost of living for seniors to bolster his argument. According to Mr. Style, seniors could lose their homes because of the potential $72 tax increase. But what Mr. Style does not mention is the cost to seniors if the tax increase does not pass.
As a former member of the Kirkland Senior Council, I can speak to the cost to seniors if the $72/year utility tax increase is not passed.
First, what’s the Kirkland Senior Council?
The Senior Council is a volunteer organization committed to improving the quality of life for seniors. The Council spends hundreds of volunteer hours working hard advocating for seniors.
What has the Kirkland Senior Council accomplished for Kirkland Seniors?
Advocates for seniors at the city, county, and state level:
- By working with the Bellevue Network on Aging on a variety of projects for seniors.
- In the 2009 legislative session, there were 65 bills relating to seniors. Elder abuse, cuts to the adult day care community, the loss of funding for the Senior Citizens service act which provides funding for case management, transportation issues and senior information assistance are all major issues for the Kirkland senior community.
The Council is meeting with State Legislators in November to ensure Kirkland’s seniors are well represented.
Developed “The Vial of Life” in which thousands of vials were assembled and distributed to seniors all over Kirkland.
- Vital medical information is available to first responders if there’s an emergency.
Created “The Emergency Net” program in Kirkland to identify seniors who live independently in their homes.
- This is an ongoing program designed to help seniors who are isolated and without a support network.
Participates in The Evergreen Hospital Emergency Preparedness Fair.
- Distributes “Vials of Life” and other emergency preparedness information.
Held a Baby Boomer Fair with participants attending presentations on elder care option such as aging in place and assisted living.
Volunteers to staff the Northwest Senior Games, which is an opportunity for seniors to enjoy sports competition.
Developed videos on critical topics such as Aging in Place, Elder Abuse, and Falls Prevention.
- Nationally recognized, award-winning videos on Elder Abuse and Pedestrian Safety.
- Videos made, by the way, with almost no money or professional help.
What will change for seniors if the $72 utility tax increase is not approved?
The Council has actively received the support of the City directly from the senior services supervisor. The senior services supervisor has been an integral part of the programs developed by the Council, attending every Council meeting, which are held in the evening, acting as a resource and advisor to the Council, and a liaison to other city departments and agencies.
If the tax increase does not pass, the senior services supervisor position will be eliminated. In addition, the senior specific videos and many of the projects the Council has been recognized for over the years will be cut back. Advocacy for seniors will be sharply curtailed. The council will no longer have a direct liaison to the city staff and almost no money to develop advocacy programs for seniors.
If the tax increase does not pass, there will be a cost to Kirkland seniors. Support the advocacy programs for Kirkland seniors by passing the utility tax increase.
Posted by Debra Sinick on Friday, October 9, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Filed under Elections, Guest Commentary, Headlines · Tagged with Budget, Elections, Government - State / Local, Taxes
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Ms. Sinick:
You speak from experience. So do I.
Not all seniors live in their own home. My mother-in-law did and did not want to move. I watched her exhaust her savings just to pay her taxes before she passed away.
As taxes went up, so did her bills. Her fixed income didn’t cover the cost so she had to draw from the interest on her saving accounts. The more she took out, the lower the interest income. Eventually, her income dropped below the first proper tax exemption allowed by law. She was being driven into poverty and frightened what the future might bring.
Do we increases taxes to the point that will eventually force seniors out of their homes or to take out an expensive reverse mortgage that reduces their estate? My parents went through the same taxing cycle in New York State. They too were forced and frightened.
My parents taught me not to be a burden on society whether I was 18 or 80. I’ve lived my life accordingly. I do not like a government that takes the money I need to accomplish what my parents taught me. I do not want to become a burden on anyone.
That said, there are many seniors that have made bad decisions or due to unforeseen circumstances were not able to do so. Many unforeseen circumstances can be planned for.
The rate our taxes increase is one of them. Many financial advisors say to make sure people have enough money to retire on, only draw out 4% of your retirement income. However, as tax rates increase, we need more than that. We are being forced into a frightening situation.
Cost of living increases have averaged about 3 percent for the last 20 years. Kirkland taxes alone have risen more than 11 percent per year.
The $72 utility tax should not break anyone’s budget if they planned for unforeseen circumstances. However, it does add to the tax burden that makes up the 11 percent government is taking from us. Kirkland is increasing our tax burden at a rate 3 times faster than our ability to pay. It makes it much harder to take care of our selves and promotes dependency.
Government should be working for us and should not create a class of society that is dependent on entitlements. As it is now, 47 percent of people who file tax returns do not pay any taxes. The tax burden too high on those who pay taxes. Collectively, their name is Peter. When you rob Peter to pay Paul, elected officials get Paul’s vote every time. There are many elected officials that promote an ever-increasing dependent society that helps them get elected.
The $72 utility tax is an unnecessary tax because there is $3.8 million in savings that could pay for desired services. And, if anyone thinks it will stop at $72, they are misinformed. The increase is understated to get your vote, is just another camel’s nose in the tax tent, is inflationary, and will certainly increase over time.
I’m glad you are a senior citizen advocate; but advocate for all seniors including those who do not want to be forced out of their homes.
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I received my Medicare card last week. I agree with Bob. I do not want to be taken care of by government or be dependant on them. Yes, I will be using Medicare as I have been paying into it for many years.
When I can eventually afford to retire, I will start collecting SS. When that happens I will gladly join with other retired Seniors being an advocate for all of us. We do not need the Senior Services Supervisor position on the City Staff (If this is a supervisory position does this mean there are other persons who work in this role and if so, how many?)
NO MORE TAXES!!
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Mr. Style, thank you for your comments.
“My parents taught me not to be a burden on society whether I was 18 or 80. I’ve lived my life accordingly. I do not like a government that takes the money I need to accomplish what my parents taught me. I do not want to become a burden on anyone.”
I appreciate the fact you were brought up by your parents to be self-sufficient and to depend on no one else. I applaud you for that.
“That said, there are many seniors that have made bad decisions or due to unforeseen circumstances were not able to do so. Many unforeseen circumstances can be planned for.”
You are right again, many people, not just seniors, have made bad decisions and are suffering for that. However, I disagree with “unforeseen circumstances can be planned for.” Some circumstance can be and some can’t.
Since you brought up how your parents raised you, I’ll bring up some of my family history. Without going into all the details, my siblings and are were brought up to be very self-sufficient from a young age. My parents worked hard throughout their lives and hoped to maintain their self-sufficiency and remain in their home and not be a burden to anyone else.
However, the best laid plans do not always happen. Both my parents were diagnosed with dementia. My Mom first and then my Dad. No one plans for dementia or Alzheimers or broken hips, etc, but it happens. I moved my parents out to Kirkland from the east coast, so they would have someone in the family living nearby to help them. It was not their choice to lose their faculties, it happened, and there was nothing they could do about it.
I can’t tell you how often I talk with friends, clients, and co-workers about the troubles their elderly parents are going through, troubles that are not by choice. There’s a cost to society one way or the other, maybe it’s higher taxes or lost time on the job for caring for elderly parents. The cost is there, regardless.
Elder abuse happens in all walks of life. I wish it didn’t, but it does. One of NYC’s finest philanthropists, Brooke Astor, was diagnosed with Alzheimers very late in life and her son was found guilty just yesterday of defrauding her.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/nyregion/09astor.html?th&emc=th
So, Mr. Style, I hope you get your wish and remain healthy throughout your life. But there are too many seniors who do not. These seniors need advocates and programs in place to protect them and help to maintain their quality of life.
If you are concerned about mismanagement of the city budget make sure you vote for the candidates you believe who will improve our fiscal health. But don’t overlook this potential $72 dollar increase for basic services that seniors, young people, and the citizens of Kirkland benefit from.
By the way, you mentioned New York. New York is a very expensive place to live. I grew up in Connecticut and have friends and family in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. I suggest you look at the high cost of taxes there. Property taxes are far more expensive than here. My friend in New York pays $12,000 for a modest home, built in the 1930’s with no garage, 4 bedrooms, and 2 1/2 baths. Her home is worth far less than a million dollars. In Kirkland a home with such a tax bill would sell for about $1.3 million. (By the way, I’ve heard, but have not confirmed, that King County has dropped everyone’s property tax assessments by about 30% and I wonder if anyone knows more about this). All three states have a high sales, tax plus a state income tax. Now that’s a lot of taxes!
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Two issues come to mind.
First, there is $3.8 million that can be saved without adversely reducing services thereby making the $2.2 million tax increase unnecessary. Second, property taxes can be raised 1% regardless of what happens to the value of your property.
Because the assessed value went down, our tax rate will increase. The tax rate cannot exceed 3.6% of assessed value without a vote of the people.
We don’t need Washington to become more and more like New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. At least, I-1033 gives us some protection from run-away spending.
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My home’s tax assessed value has dropped about 25%, Debra. Throughout the county, new assessments have generally been significantly lower, but the percentage varies. It is part of the usual reassessment cycle.
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Thanks, Downtowner. I think you’re right. There’s at least a 25-30% drop in property taxes.
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The city will, can, and does raise property taxes by at least 1% regardless of property values up to the 3.60% limit on property tax rate, and even beyond that if the Council can get the voters to bite on what the city is feeding us.
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