Fight Over Mercer Island Budget Fix Heats Up

MERCER ISLAND, WA - No firm decision has been made about how to address Mercer Island's impending budget crisis, but over the weekend residents got a taste of the possible political battle that's coming.

If you don't already know, Mercer Island is facing a budget crisis in the upcoming years for several reasons. Chiefly, city expenses are increasing at close to 5 percent per year, but under state law, Mercer Island property tax revenues can only increase by 1 percent per year - unless a majority of voters approve an increase.

On top of that, the city is projecting a slowdown in revenue from construction permits, and can no longer safely tap into reserves to fix the structural deficit. So, the city is considering a six-year, voter-approved levy lid lift to keep city services funded at current levels. Otherwise, city services would have to be cut drastically.

But, City Manager Julie Underwood won't recommend a firm solution until the June 19 Council meeting. A majority of a citizens group organized to examine the problem has recommended a voter-approved levy lid lift.

Over the weekend, former Council member Mike Cero sent an email to thousands of city residents with the subject line "Do Not Increase MI Taxes." Cero is in charge of a political action committee (PAC) called Mercer Islanders For Sustainable Spending." Cero believes Mercer Island has a "spending problem" and that a tax increase would be unnecessary.

In response, local resident Bharat Shyam sent an email to thousands of island residents pushing back on Cero. In his email (provocatively titled "School Shooting On Mercer Island"), Shyam asks locals to support full funding for mental health counselors in schools, which are provided by Mercer Island Youth and Family Services. Shyam highlights that some want to put mental health counselors on the ballot as a separate measure - a move he opposes.

The city's budget problems directly affect the counselors. Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Director Cindy Goodwin said that the counselors are considered "non-essential" city employees. So unlike police or firefighters, counselors could be cut if a levy lid lift ballot measure fails.

"The counselors are our first line of defense against suicide, homicide" Goodwin said - and, according to Shyam, to stopping school shootings.

If you're interested in getting involved in the budget issue, Underwood will make her recommendation at the June 19 meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 9611 SE 36th St. Learn more about the budget problem here.

File photo by Neal McNamara/Patch