The Mirror article by Federal Way City Councilwoman Dini Duclos notes that since 2008, in order to attain a balanced budget, Federal Way city staff has been reduced by 50 employees.

While one hates to see long-term employees lose their jobs, it is perhaps just as important to look at the impact of these reductions on the level of service provided to the citizens of Federal Way. Judging by the lack of comments in the media and at city council meetings, the level of dissatisfaction has not measurably increased.

In fact, the police department, operating with sworn officer levels 10 percent below that of 2008, has been instrumental in reducing crime levels to the lowest since the department’s inception.

Other departments have continued to provide service at or near the levels existing prior to the layoffs. At the March 6 council meeting, city directors and staff were deservedly congratulated by councilman Bob Celski for under-running the 2011 budget by over $3 million.

Frugal innovation is obviously paying dividends.

We in Federal Way are blessed with an effective and efficient police department, some of the best roads in the state, a state of the art community center and well maintained parks with significant city center redevelopment on the horizon. This does not paint the picture of a city in trouble.

Unless and until it can be shown that cuts in revenue will substantially impact the quality of life for Federal Way citizens, the state Legislature is unlikely to be swayed by arguments such as those presented in this article.

Derek Purton, Federal Way