Bothell Utility Taxes

CITY OF BOTHELL "FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY"

Washington State Annexation Sales Tax Credit

On October 27th the Governor asked the legislature to remove the Washington State Annexation Sales Tax Credit (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=82.14.415) in an effort to balance the 2 billion dollar deficit. This is free money from Washington state given to cities who annex more than 10,000 people. The credit would be 2 tenths of a percent of all the sales in the city for the next 10 years. The City of Bothell would have to prove to the State that they could not afford municipal services to the annexed thus needing the help from the State. The problem with this, is that the cities were warned that this free money could be taken away at anytime and not to "bank" on it. It is poor management and a reckless idea to gamble with the citizens future in this way. Again, the Young Evaluation said in a nutshell that Bothell couldn't afford the services to the new area. Maybe that is why they commissioned the Berk Study; to prove to the State and get approval for this new temporary money. It is not worth the gamble! Where is the fiscal responsibility?

Many people have asked why the City of Bothell wants to annex their property. The reality is that a city has an extra level of bureaucracy beyond the county. Bothell is no exception. Seven (7) Elected Officials and Ten (10) Executive Staff 82.6% of the General Fund Costs (over $60 million) is for personnel. Many local governments across the state are temporarily freezing wage increases in these tough times. Not the City of Bothell. They have increased their personnel expenditures by 7.6% for the 2011-2012 budget. "the lions share of this increase is due to 'salary/merit step increases".

HOW DO THEY PAY FOR THE EXTRA BUREAUCRACY?

Simple, the City of Bothell has extra taxing authority above the property tax that you pay. The biggest source is City Utility Taxes. If your property is annexed you will have to pay additional utility taxes:
    •    Cable TV - 6%
    •    Gas - 6%
    •    Electricity - 6%
    •    Water - 5%
    •    Sewer - 5%
    •    Garbage - 6%
In an effort to increase revenue, Bothell has plans to raise all of these utility taxes to 8%. Click here for page 12 of Bothell's Fiscal Analysis of Potential Annexations (Berk Study).
You will also see an increase in your service water fee of almost 20%. WATCH OUT…….The City of Kirkland has a 13.38% utility charge on water, 10.5% on both sewer and garbage. What is next for Bothell?

The City of Bothell wants you to look at the "simplified tax comparison chart" on their annexation website. It's no surprise that the truth about the utility taxes you will pay isn't in their "simplified" chart. The City of Bothell wants to annex your property so they can balance their budget on new taxes.

Please return the ballot in the mail by April 17 and let Bothell know that your vote matters again in this next election.

Contact Us

Donations and mail can be sent to:
Citizens for Responsible Annexations
2020 Maltby Rd. Ste. 7 PMB 107
Bothell, WA 98021
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