ARLINGTON — As city staff and elected officials continue to wrestle Arlington’s 2012 budget into a state of balance, the two people seeking to become the city’s next mayor, Barbara Tolbert and Steve Baker, agree on two things:
Municipal money problems aren’t going away; and Arlington sorely needs economic development to increase its tax revenue.
For longtime City Councilman Baker, who has been endorsed by state Sen. Val Stevens and County Councilman John Koster, the situation is sure to require more layoffs at City Hall and more cuts to city programs.
“It’s not a choice now. It has to be done,” Baker said. “As a councilman, I am unhappy about being asked by the city administration to consider utility rate increases and going to the voters for a sales tax increase next year. I feel like we’re being thrown under the bus. It’s their job to come up with a preliminary budget.”
Airport commissioner Tolbert, whose supporters include Mayor Margaret Larson, who isn’t running for re-election, and the Arlington police and fire unions, admits she is off the hook regarding the city’s preliminary 2012 budget. Should she be elected, however, Tolbert plans to poll people about what city services are essential to them and which ones can be handled by volunteers or in partnership with other agencies.
“I think the city is already operating in a lean and efficient manner. The fact is that a lack of revenue is the new normal,” Tolbert said. “You can be angry and scared, or you can face the situation and deal with it. We don’t have the luxury of fighting about this. We have to be in the same boat, paddling the same direction. The answer to budget shortfalls has to be a melding of ideas, such as being prepared to attract business when the economy does turn around.”
Baker agrees with the idea of attracting business, even suggesting that the city delay requiring the payment of fees as an incentive to attract development. He also wants an incentive program that recognizes and rewards city employees who provide cost-saving ideas.
In a campaign letter written by Baker last month, the candidate said, “Some citizens may be satisfied with the status quo. I am addressing those who would prefer a more accountable system.”
Baker said he was simply listing standards by which he would serve and wasn’t criticizing the current mayor or the city administration.
Larson’s endorsement of Tolbert came days after Baker’s letter was circulated.
Baker, a contractor, is active in his church, has served on multiple City Council committees and is mayor pro-tem, stepping in for the mayor when she is absent.
“If you walked into the mayor’s office without the kind of knowledge I have about how the city works, it would be a nightmare,” Baker said.
Tolbert, executive director of the Arlington Fly-In, recently served as chairwoman of the successful emergency medical services levy campaign. She volunteers with the hospital foundation, the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club.
“I am a strategic thinker and I am able to find consensus among people. I have the experience to lead the city,” Tolbert said.
Arlington’s part-time mayor is paid $1,500 a month. Baker and Tolbert were the top vote getters in the primary election, which attracted a total of six candidates for Arlington mayor.
Voters can hear Baker and Tolbert talk about their campaigns at noon Tuesday during the Arlington-Smokey Point Chamber of Commerce annual political luncheon at the Medallion Hotel, 16710 Smokey Point Blvd., and at a forum hosted by the Downtown Arlington Business Association at 8 a.m. Oct. 19 in City Council chambers, 110 E. Third St.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
Arlington mayor
Steve Baker
Age: 59
Occupation: Construction contractor, city councilman
Website: http://stevebakerformayor.com
Priorties: Balanced budget; economic development; incentive program among city employees to bring costs down.
Barb Tolbert
Age: 53
Occupation: Arlington Fly-In director, airport commissioner
Website: www.barbtolbert.com
Priorities: Economic development; public safety; preserve and promote what makes Arlington a good place to live.
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