Looking into the bond and taxes | Letters

In marketing its nearly $400 million bond proposal, the Lake Washington School District's (LWSD's) big selling point is that the property tax rate will not increase. While that is factual on its face, it is disingenuous. It is the tax rate only, NOT the amount of school property taxes, that will remain the same. The whole story is that the current tax rate for LWSD is due to expire with the retirement of the bonds that are now in place.

In marketing its nearly $400 million bond proposal, the Lake Washington School District’s (LWSD’s) big selling point is that the property tax rate will not increase. While that is factual on its face, it is disingenuous. It is the tax rate only, NOT the amount of school property taxes, that will remain the same. The whole story is that the current tax rate for LWSD is due to expire with the retirement of the bonds that are now in place.

If the proposal before the voters on April 26 passes, the tax rate may stay the same, but residents will be paying that rate for a longer period of time. Over this longer period, homeowners will be paying more taxes. The increased tax rate that would have expired sooner, will be extended. There is nothing so permanent as a temporary tax.

Richard Grubb

Former Redmond City Council member