Your recent special letter from Normandy Park council member Stacia Jenkins shows that she does not understand that the $1.2 million figure is the amount of new revenue that would be necessary to become a well-funded city with a moderate level of services, such as Burien.

It is a long-term goal and has nothing to do with budgeting. Because of our residential structure, we may never get to a moderate level of funding but the levy lid lift is a positive step and gets us part way to a goal, while keeping the doors open for future discussion. It brings us to the property tax level that all the cities around us have been collecting for years.

New taxes are never popular and the easy fixes have long been taken by past councils. Since I became mayor in January, I determined to do what I can to stop spending from reserves and to have second meetings each month devoted to finances. It has been difficult but absolutely necessary.

As a council we have found the city is seriously challenged fiscally and could fail if the citizens do not step up and make the choice to support their city. Yet, Councilmember Jenkins prefers to court danger and wait for a "perfect permanent solution" to materialize.

Her only suggestions have been contracting out all the city departments and functions including the police department. Her belief that the King County Sheriff can provide better service at lower cost is not shared by the council as I see it, and may only show her infatuation with big King County government. Why even have a city if everything is contracted out?

Our proposed budget for 2013 and 2014 show a small surplus, but only because of severe staff and program cuts, including some essential services. I ask our citizens to support their small city and VOTE YES on Normandy Park Proposition 1.

Clarke Brant
Council member/Mayor
Normandy Park