I think it’s time for the citizens of the fair city of Everett to know what happens at a city council meeting! Pretty much what they want and not a thing to do with what you want! Also, before anyone complains, they must first cast a ballot and make their voice heard.
They have just agreed to charge residents a $20 car tab renewal fee starting next year; to increase the local sales tax; increase fees on the businesses in Everett and require an annual renewal of the city business license, which not even the state requires.
The sewer charge on your utility bill is set to be increased yet again, as it has been annually, and the percentage is not even known yet. Every residence will pay the same amount whether there is one person or 10 living in the dwelling. The fee is not based on use, rather an arbitrary amount set by the city, set to continue and increase annually for an indefinite period.
At present, the fee is $95.80 per billing cycle, (every two months), this amount times 19,000 (an approximate number provided by Everett utilities) is $1,820,200 collected every two months; that number times 6 becomes $10,921,200 collected annually! The citizens of Everett deserve a breakdown of where all this money is going. All city agencies need to be held to the highest accountability. After all, it is taxpayer money and it should not be looked at as a blank check!
I would love to know what happened to the surplus our mayor bragged about for several years and the promise of no new taxes and fees. As you will see, all of the increases are set at amounts just below the required amount to bring the voters into the decision process. We, therefore, are forced to pay higher fees and taxes without even being consulted! All of this being said, there should be zero additional money for any elected official, and even a consideration of a rollback from the time shortages of funds began. After all, they were elected to serve and represent the citizens of this fine city, and they need to remember we can and will replace them when they are being anything less than prudent.
Barbara E. Knorr
Everett
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
