Snoqualmie taxpayers deserve to be represented by officials who are ambassadors of our city’s resources and prudent administrators of public funds. Governmental transparency is especially essential in tough economic times.
The Snoqualmie Valley School District, facing enrollment increases, is also profoundly affected by cuts enacted by the Legislature and the termination of federal stimulus funds at the close of the 2010-2011 academic year. Teacher layoffs and non-renewal of teacher contracts are imminent. Snoqualmie residents are also facing utility hikes to underwrite infrastructure costs in the city’s newly approved 2011 budget.
The consolidation of city offices into one City Hall is a reasonable approach to instituting government efficiency. But was an opulent structure, replete with cost overruns, the answer? More aggravating is the proposed Snoqualmie City Council retreat, scheduled for March 7. Snoqualmie officials will host a retreat wherein city officials attend workshops with consultants. The cost to taxpayers? $7,000 for the workshop to be held at the luxurious Salish Lodge. Additionally, there’s a $1,100 minimum food and beverage allocation for attendees, plus 20 percent gratuity and 9.1 percent sales tax.
Government at its best educates, serves and advocates for its citizenry. Its officials owe constituents at least as much. The excessiveness of the retreat is reprehensible. This is especially true when our overcrowded classrooms are facing more personnel and resource deficits and when our citizens, already beleaguered with economic woes, are facing utility hikes.
Respectfully,
Mike Tuohy, Barbara and Rick Koefod, Patricia Schwab
Snoqualmie