Here’s a great way to get involved and serve the city. The city of Mountlake Terrace is asking for interested citizens to serve on the Pro and Con Committees to prepare written arguments for the Voters’ Pamphlet supporting and opposing approval of the EMS Levy Restoration on the November 3, 2009 general election ballot.

If you’re not familiar with the EMS Levy Restoration, the Enterprise has a good explanation:

“The city since 2005 has collected 50 cents per $1,000 assessed property value toward EMS. But since then, the rate has dropped to 35 cents per $1,000 as costs have outpaced the 1 percent per year maximum levy increase allowed by law.

Under the proposed ballot measure, the city would ask voters to restore the 50 cents per $1,000 levy rate.

By adding another 15 cents per $1,000 to the rate, an average Mountlake Terrace homeowner would see their EMS property tax increase $43 a year in 2010 compared to current rates, according to an April 16 memo from finance director Sonja Springer to the City Council.

Placing the EMS levy on the November ballot would likely save the city money because the city would be able to share the $85,000 ballot expense with other taxing districts, Springer told the council.

For example, she said, Sno-Isle Libraries is expected to ask for a levy lid lift from 31 cents per $1,000 to 50 cents per $1,000 and the state is reviewing options for a .3 percent sales tax increase.”

Individuals interested in serving in this capacity should submit their name, address and telephone number to Virginia Olsen, City Clerk and Community Relations Director, no later than 10 a.m. on Friday, July 24, 2009 at the address, email or number listed below.

Virginia Olsen, City Clerk and Community Relations Director
P.O. Box 72
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
(425) 744-6206 Phone
(425) 775-0420 Fax
Email: volsen@ci.mlt.wa.us

The City Council will take action to appoint the committees at its regular council meeting on Monday, August 3, 2009.

[image courtesy dunechaser]