Council did not solve money problems with utility tax

After the citizens voiced their concerns about the 7.75-percent utility tax on Lakehaven Water and Sewer District, they could no longer ask questions, and I still have comments and questions. Councilman Jesse Johnson said Lakehaven Water and Sewer District offered to purchase the dog park, and the amount of money would cover this year’s budget deficit.

To my knowledge, this information was not made known to the citizens of Federal Way. Councilman Hoang Tran said once this 2018-19 budget problem is solved, the council will work on a new way to look at the budget. Dog park sale money would make it possible to cover the budget and go on from there.

Water district representatives spoke of the willingness to work with the city of Federal Way. They will sue if a utility tax is imposed, and it will take two to three years to come to a conclusion. If that is the case, am I right in thinking the city will not receive money for two to three years, which does not solve the immediate problem?

Julie Sharlock, Federal Way