Serious accusation on public safety enhancements | Federal Way letters

Published 8:01 pm Thursday, May 20, 2010

In his letter published May 19, Mr. Bill Linehan expresses his disgust at all levels of government, from the federal level to our own city council, and in particular, to council member Jim Ferrell. Mr. Ferrell is accused of ignoring the fact that public safety enhancements promised in the 2006 Proposition 1 have not been delivered. The charge is that while the 1.75 percent utility tax addition approved by the voters has been and is being collected by the city, the promise of 18 additional police officers has not materialized. This is a serious accusation, and if true, then all members of the city council, including the three running for the position of mayor, are equally guilty in not speaking out.

According to city documents, in 2007, the city budgeted $1.4 million to cover the 18 additional officers, 95 percent of which was spent. In 2008, the budget was $1.9 million and 89 percent was spent. In 2009, the budget was $2.5 million with 94 percent spent. This would indicate that the vast majority of the 18 officers were on the payroll for all three years. If Mr. Linehan can substantiate his assertion, then someone at City Hall has some explaining to do.

Derek Purton, Federal Way