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MORATORIUM | Kirkland Council stalls progress another six months on controversial Potala Village [12]
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Possible cuts to sales-tax credit could slash Kirkland services New House Bill would cut Annexation Sales Tax Credit 35 percent for city BY MATT PHELPS mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
T
he state budget crunch has meant cuts to many programs and services. Many cities have also felt the brunt of less assistance and it will get worse as the state looks to fill a $1.5 billion budget gap. But a measure moving through Olympia could hit
Kirkland like a sledgehammer. House Bill 2146 would cut the Annexation Sales Tax Credit (ASTC) by 10 percent in each of the 10 years it is promised to cities. It would also cap the amount cities receive through the ASTC based on the first annexation year’s tax revenue. That cap would disproportionately hit Kirkland the hardest compared
to other cities that have ansupposed to be a percentage nexed, according to Kirkland of sales-tax receipts received City Manager Kurt Triplett. every year, regardless of if In fact, it would sales tax revenues result in an overall increase or decline. 35-percent cut for But this bill Kirkland in revenue would cap the from the ASTC or ASTC at the dollar an estimated $14 amount the city million. received during the “It is much more first year of annexasignificant than tion. Cities would Kurt Triplett 10 percent to the not be able to collect City of Kirkland,” any more than that said Triplett. “… this bill was dollar amount during any of drafted in a clunky manner.” the next nine years. The cap is the biggest issue. And while the effect of the The ASTC was originally bill, created by Gov. Chris
Battle for Houghton Council heats back up
Mayor gives ‘State of the City’ address to Chamber
BY CARRIE WOOD cwood@kirklandreporter.com
After Rep. Larry Springer halted a contentious house bill last Legislative session that aimed to end the Houghton Community Council, he is considering a new bill that would achieve the same end. However, this time around, he is introducing the bill much earlier in the session and will give residents
BY MATT PHELPS mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
Kirkland City Mayor Joan McBride delivered the third “State of the City” address of her career to the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce Tuesday with the focus on achievements, the future and possible cuts to the Annexation Sales Tax Credit (ASTC). “I’ve been up all night … I realized that I used audacious in my speech 150 times,” joked McBride. But the issue of losing the ASTC is no joking matter for the city and McBride emphasized how important it is that council members, citizens and business leaders bring this issue to the forefront of the legislative agenda in Olympia. “(The ASTC) was a major reason the city even considered annexation,” said McBride, whose speech was sponsored by Waste Management. “ ... We are actively opposing any
Gregiore and sponsored should feel pretty lucky.” by Rep. Ross Hunter However, the cap would (D-Medina), is dramatihit Kirkland disproportioncally less than the ately hard because governor’s original its first year of proposal to cut the ASTC payments ASTC altogether, it began September would mean tough 2011 and will end choices in essential June 2012. services for Kirk“Our first year is land residents. 10 months instead “I’m the one that of 12 months,” Rep. Ross Hunter created the (ASTC) said Triplett. “We for Kirkland and are very unique other cities, so I think it is and that is why we are good policy,” said Hunter. particularly opposed to this “If all we come away with is legislation.” a 10-percent reduction we [ more ASTC page 7 ]
ample time to respond. “I thought it would be best to drop a clean bill, brand new, everyone will be notified and there will be no behind-closed doors allegations this time,” said Springer. Last session, many Houghton residents were outraged to learn that House Bill 1812 barreled through the session without any public awareness or opportunity for input. Many lambasted the measure [ more COUNCIL page 3 ]
Could missing two-year-old boy be with third party Kirkland father focuses on new search avenue decrease or elimination of the Annexation Sales Tax Credit.” She announced that Duvall Mayor Will Ibershof, who was in attendance, had signed on to help Kirkland fight the legislation. But the heart of the fight is the state keeping its word to help cities that have taken on residential areas on cashstrapped unincorperated county lands. “A promise is a promise,” said McBride. “… this is our No. 1 priority on the legisla[ more CITY page 3 ]
Above, Kirkland Mayor Joan McBride gave her third “State of the City” address of her career to the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. Below, The Marina room at the Woodmark Hotel was packed full of business leaders and some local high school students to hear the speech about the direction of the city. CARRIE WOOD, Kirkland Reporter
BY MATT PHELPS mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
Many theories have been floated on the whereabouts of 2-year-old Sky Metalwala. The boy allegedly went missing just over two months ago while in the custody of his mother, Redmond resident Julia Biryukova. She, and Sky’s father Solomon, had been in the midst of a bitter divorce and custody battle for their two children. But Solomon Metalwala, of Kirkland, and his attor-
ney Clay Terry are speaking out with their own theories as to where the boy may be and are taking action. One of the ways they are moving forward is to request that Solomon be granted sole custody of his daughter Maile, with no visitation by Biryukova. Solomon was granted custody of his daughter on Dec. 5. Maile, 5, was placed in foster care after her brother went missing. “When Maile was picked up by the police, she looked [ more SKY page 2 ]