We are concerned with the City of Federal Way’s recent new tax proposal. A historical review of Federal Way’s utility tax appears to be relevant as a result of the Federal Way City Council’s 5-2 vote in favor of imposing an “excise” tax on Lakehaven Water and Sewer District.

The first 6 percent of the city’s current utility tax was voted on by city residents in the first few years of incorporation. This tax was intended for the road overlay program and park improvements.

Then, a number of years later the city council at the time put Proposition 1 on the ballot, asking the citizens if they would approve an addition 1.75 percent to be used for police, public safety and the municipal court. The voters agreed and this is how the total 7.75 percent utility tax was approved. This tax was on private utilities such as cable, phone, electricity and gas.

Federal Way citizens have always been given the right to vote for the utility tax. The vote by the current city council imposes an additional 7.75 percent on another government agency. Lakehaven Water and Sewer is a separate special district and is not a taxing district. This does not allow for a vote by the citizens, nor does it specify what the money will be used for other than to balance the city budget.

We believe that the citizens of Federal Way should have the right to vote on this tax and because of this have joined Jack Sharlock and many, many others in distributing petitions gathering signatures to put a referendum on the ballot to allow the citizens to vote on this issue.

We have visited 1,800 homes so far and 9 out of 10 people have signed the petition to have the right to vote on the utility tax. There are only 20 days left to gather over 7,000 signatures, so we are providing the following places where citizens can sign a petition: Flygare and Associates, 1715 S. 324th Pl., Suite 250; and Poverty Bay Cafe and Coffee Company, 1108 S. 322nd Place.

If you would like a petition, call Jack Dovey at 206-730-2612, Linda Kochmar at 253-640-0469, or Chevy Swanson at 509-209-3487. You can also send an email to chevy.swanson@gmail.com.

Jack Dovey, former Federal Way City Councilmember and mayor; Sen. Mark Miloscia (R-District 30); Linda Kochmar, former Federal Way City Councilmember and mayor and former state representative