Medical Lake moves toward property, EMS tax increase

MEDICAL LAKE — Residents in Medical Lake could see a 1 percent increase in property and Emergency Medical Services taxes thanks to an ordinance passed Tuesday night at the regular city council meeting.

The city currently collects around $450,409 in property taxes. A 1 percent increase would mean $4,504 more for the city.

With this amount plus new construction values, the city hopes to collect around $478,000 for 2009.

Finance director Pamela McBroom said that in 2008, residents who own a home valued at $150,000 in Medical Lake pay around $1,362.78. Of that, $289.47 goes to the state, $183.95 goes to the county, $447.86 goes to the schools, $66.90 is for the city EMS, $306.66 is for the city and $67.96 goes toward the library.

“It goes mostly toward your public safety funds,” McBroom said of the property tax increase.

McBroom also compared what taxpayers paid for a $150,000 home in 1998. Residents paid around $2,100 in property taxes for the same value of a home.

In order to pass the ordinance, the city held a public hearing to discuss the increase, but no one participated.

The council passed the first reading of the ordinance with council members Jeff King and Brenda Redell opposed.

The council will have the second reading of the ordinance at its next regular meeting.

In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, resident Paul Delgado asked the council what was required if he would like to stage a protest in the city.

Delgado would like to protest the high price of gasoline in Medical Lake since he feels that at one of the local gas stations prices are higher than they are regionally.

He wants to stand and hold a sign that says, “Honk if you’re against high prices.”

“As long as you don’t break any other laws,” said Cynthia McMullen, the city attorney. “That is your First Amendment right.”

Doug Ross, the city administrator, added that the city of Medical Lake does not require a permit to protest.

The next council meeting will be held Nov. 4.