Politics & Government
Mercer Island May Cut Police, Fire, School Jobs
Due to the failure of a levy lid lift, multiple city jobs will now have to be cut, according to city officials.
MERCER ISLAND, WA - Mercer Island city officials say they might cut a range of jobs due to the failure of Proposition 1, including school mental health counselor positions. The city may also have to eliminate police and fire jobs to balance future budgets.
City officials are predicting a $3.7 million deficit beginning in 2021. Officials blame reduced revenue for the deficit, largely that property taxes can't increase more than 1 percent per year under state law - unless voters approve a levy lift.
At last check, Proposition 1 was failing 57 percent to 42 percent.
Find out what's happening in Mercer Islandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The city wrote in its newsletter Wednesday that several non-essential positions could be cut. Those include an administrative assistant and geriatric specialist in the Youth and Family Services Department. Those jobs would be reduced to part-time.
But the two biggest cuts would be two school mental health counselors.
Find out what's happening in Mercer Islandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Before the election, the counselor positions were touted as a reason to vote for Proposition 1. In June, Mercer Island resident Bharat Shyam sent a mass email to residents with the subject line, "Mass Shooting On Mercer Island."
"Having talked to many people in our city including many responsible elected officials and city employees, I found that there was only one group that is willing and capable of taking on this challenge of decreasing the likelihood of a mass shooting here," Shyam wrote. "It is our fantastic group of counselors funded by Mercer Island Youth & Family Services (aka MIYFS). They are uniquely positioned to identify and help people who may be facing issues related to anger and hostility. They span schools and the community including kids, parents, alumni and seniors."
The city is also looking at cutting a parks department events coordinator position and not filling two vacant positions. The city would also reduce community center hours.
The city is also looking at cutting the deputy fire chief position and leaving a full-time police officer position vacant.
Image courtesy Mercer Island police
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