Redmond is a great place to live, work, play and raise a family! Our lovely city has received multiple awards and recognition for livability and for our outstanding parks and trails system. Redmond has ranked near the top of a number of “Best Places to Live” lists for the past few years.

We voters have an opportunity to keep Redmond great by investing strategically around the city to improve neighborhood recreation and walkability.

The mayor and City Council have placed a parks levy on the Aug. 4 primary election ballot. The levy, called Proposition 2, would increase property taxes for six years by $0.07 per $1,000 of assessed valuation — that’s an increase of $36.16 per year for the median Redmond home – yes, less than the infamous “latte per month.” Your tax increase may be higher or lower depending on your home’s assessed value.

Full disclosure: I’m a 20-plus year Redmond resident and homeowner. My wife and I are the proud parents of a Lake Washington School District student. I’m an active volunteer in the community and I have served on the Redmond Parks and Trails Commission for more than five years, including serving as chair and vice chair. I’m passionate about parks and outdoor activities. I believe shared resources like parks, trails and recreation facilities help define a community and keep its residents happy and healthy.

The proposed new levy dollars are a means to catch up on a backlog of park projects. There is a long list of planned projects (new parks and improvements) and not enough money in the budget to pay for them. Parks costs grow with inflation. City real estate tax revenues can grow no faster than one percent per year without voter approval (Washington state law). Thus, the need for the levy.

The levy will pay for improvements in neighborhoods and community parks around Redmond: Two new parks on undeveloped city land in underserved neighborhoods in North Redmond and Southeast Redmond; much-needed upgrades to Idylwood and Westside Parks, improvements at Farrel-McWhirter, Grasslawn, Cascade View and Reservoir Parks; increased park security and maintenance at Grasslawn, Idylwood, Hartman, Perrigo and Anderson Parks during the busy summer months and maintained funding for youth programs.

As Redmond grows, we need more parks and trails. We also need to maintain our existing parks and trails. Everyone in Redmond should be within walking distance of a neighborhood park or trail for recreation.

The city has a track record of successful, award-winning and fiscally responsible park construction and improvements. They include Phase I of the Redmond Central Connector, construction of the Redmond Bike Park and renovations and improvements at Hartman, View Point, Willows, Idylwood, Spiritbrook, Grasslawn, and Farrel-McWhirter parks. I’m confident that the levy projects will be of similar quality and value.

I’m voting for Proposition 2 on Aug. 4 because it will keep our parks and trails clean, green and attractive. And that makes Redmond a great place. I hope you will join me in voting “yes” on Proposition 2.

For more information about Proposition 2, visit YesRedmond.org.

Tom Sanko,
Redmond