Mercer Island 2019 Candidate Quiz: Position 7 Council Race

MERCER ISLAND, WA — The 2019 August primary is coming up on Aug. 6, and one Mercer Island City Council race will be on the ballot. We sent each candidate in the race a questionnaire to help give voters a better idea of where they stand on local issues.

In the Position 7 race, Mercer Island residents will choose between incumbent Councilwoman Debbie Bertlin, Osborne Construction Company vice president Jake Jacobson, and retired investment banker Robin C. Russell. Two of those candidates will make it through the primary and advance to the general election.

We asked each candidate the same set of four questions, probing everything from their vote on Proposition 1 to their favorite city park. We did not edit the answers for either content or length.

Here's what they told us:

Debbie Bertlin (I)

How did you vote in the election on Proposition 1? Would you vote the same way today and why?

My vote in support of Proposition 1 was to ensure our Island continued to provide the services which make Mercer Island so safe, desirable and unique — our Police and Fire, Youth and Family Services, and Parks.

After months of speaking with residents, meeting with many groups supporting specific services, and researching municipal voting, there are definitely aspects to the vote I would approach or consider differently. My top considerations include:

Providing voters more time and a longer voter education runway. Prop 1 was advanced too quickly. Though it was introduced to the public a year in advance through the Citizen Advisory Group, Islander Survey, Town Halls and many, many meetings it wasn’t enough. The issues are complex and there was not sufficient time for good data to get out and enough robust, constructive conversation to be had on what was included in Prop 1 and “why” Prop 1.

Delivering greater transparency. Islanders are meticulous in wanting to understand the relationship between tax dollars spent and services provided. The information was too general and did not sufficiently detail the services at risk immediately and over the long run. Most other Eastside communities have service-specific levies addressing police, social services and parks, etc. This is a model which can provide that transparency, specificity, and is an approach future Councils should consider.

Documenting efficiencies. The efficiencies already undertaken by the City have not been sufficiently articulated nor potentially cut deep enough — yet — to provide Islanders confidence their services are being optimally delivered. I will work to better surface, articulate and promote new ideas as well as the work already underway. We have the opportunity to engage more of the community in researching best practices.

Addressing senior exemptions and overall tax fatigue. Prop 1 timing was not great and affordability is top of mind for many. The vote came on the heels of the McCleary tax increases, regional stress over car tab fees, political angst from Seattle’s Head Tax, inflation and an overall sense of a growing tax burden on our Island and in the region. In addition, Mercer Island has a large number of seniors whom we value. Legislation allowing for more robust exemptions came into effect just as the ballot measure was crafted and was not captured. Any potential future levy must be sure to include the exemption benefits.

Do you think asking Mercer Island residents for new taxes is still a viable solution to the city's budget problems?

This will be a community-wide conversation — broader in the number of Islanders engaged and deeper in the explanation of why they cost, what benefits they deliver, and that they are provided the most efficient way possible. Any future new taxes will mean Islanders have confidence these conditions are met.

Fees are typically associated with a distinct service, such as attending an exercise class, and are focused on specific individuals or groups of individuals who benefit. Based on community priority, some programs may need to come closer to break-even; some historically free services may have a fee in the future. This will require analysis and assessing potential impacts before implementing. It is important we continue to provide services to our most vulnerable.

What's one non-budget related issue you think is important and needs attention?

Islander mobility is fundamental. In addition to community finances, mobility is the current Council’s second priority per the work plan. Islanders need to be able to get on and off-island easily and via car, bike, bus, foot and eventually train. We need transit services to be safe in so far pedestrians and bikes are safe in our intersections, our drivers have effectively functioning intersections, and our public safety needs are understood and addressed.

In addition, I advocate the community continue to assess and implement additional bike lanes, trails, and on-Island transit to ensure we have choices for kids getting to school, shoppers and commuters travelling to the north end, and recreational cyclists enjoying a safe bike ride on the Mercer Ways. We are fortunate the Sound Transit Settlement Agreement could pay for these assets.

What's your favorite city park?

The North Mercerdale Hillside is my “close-to-home” favorite. The Hillside is a small oasis outside my back door. It is where I have spent hours and hours with my family, my kids as they’ve grown up, and I have walked with my dog. I is where I go to cut back blackberries or pull invasives when I have a little extra time.

I also have a deep affinity for Luther Burbank and am proud of the Mercer Island Pre-school’s partnership with the city to create an accessible playground.

Robin C. Russell

How did you vote in the election on Proposition 1? Would you vote the same way today and why?

I voted NO on proposition 1 and I would vote the same way today. My reason for voting NO is that the city has 1). Not been judicious in their spending and refuses to look for efficiencies and properly manage limited resources. 2). for the last 5 years the city has predicted a deficit yet there has been a surplus of over $9M. In 2018 the city budgeted a deficit and there was a surplus of $1.3M. 3). The city has lost the trust of the citizens with abusive building regulations, lack of transparency, punitive cost cutting (Easter Egg Hunt, Summer Celebration and manufactured budget deficits.

Do you think asking Mercer Island residents for new taxes is still a viable solution to the city's budget problems?

At some point a tax increase will be necessary. Mercer Island has a spending problem, not a revenue problem and until they get their spending under control it will be difficult to re-gain the trust of the voters. I think voters would be more receptive to targeted levies for specific purposes verses a general, $28M operating levy that was voted down in 2018. Islanders love their parks and understand that our underground infrastructure (water and sewer pipes) are a ticking time bomb. I believe these and other specific use needs would have a better chance of passing.

What's one non-budget related issue you think is important and needs attention?

Communication. The city could do a better job of reminding and asking citizens for food bank items, communicating about community events and opportunities to meet your neighbors and communicating on safety issues such as electrical outages, snow plowing, compromised drinking water and crime.

What's your favorite city park?

Easy answer, Mercerdale Park. I have a little white Maltese mix dog named Annie and we frequent the park almost daily. I was very happy and worked very hard to prevent a performing arts center to not be built in the only in-city park that is enjoyed by apartment and condo owners, local business employees and many community events.

Jake Jacobson

How did you vote in the election on Proposition 1? Would you vote the same way today and why?

No and Yes. Until such time as a thorough and complete analysis of the City’s expenses and more accurate revenue forecasting are in place, an increased levy would be premature.

Do you think asking Mercer Island residents for new taxes is still a viable solution to the city's budget problems?

Once the analyses outlined in response to question 1 above are complete, the necessity, if any, of asking Mercer Island residents for new taxes should be the subject for robust public input and City Council listening and consideration.

What's one non-budget related issue you think is important and needs attention?

Although almost everything the City does has potential budget implications, the willingness of the City Council to solicit (instead of or in addition to limited and expensive third party surveys), actively listen to and impartially consider the opinions of Mercer Island residents on issues that affect the interests of the community as a whole cries out for a quantum improvement. If elected to the City Council, this will be one of my foremost priorities.

What's your favorite city park?

I submitted this question to my dogs who voted for Homestead Field, the beaches and the Island Trail network. I couldn’t get more specificity out them.