On Aug. 17, Mukilteo voters will be voting to fund the EMS Levy.  Last week, Beacon reporter Rebecca Carr provided a thorough and concise article outlining the reasons why this is the right thing to do. 

As a Mukilteo city councilmember, council Finance Committee member and Long Range Financial Planning Committee member, I believe that we must begin paying the real costs of the services we provide, and we can start by insuring a permanent, dedicated source of funding for this crucial, life-saving service.

I do, however have one concern that has not been addressed, and that is the number of votes required to validate the measure.  The City Council has already reserved a slot on the November ballot to bring the levy back if it fails to meet the required number of votes now but at an additional cost to taxpayers. 

The formula is, to say the least, somewhat complicated.  The following is language taken from information provided to the City Council at the May 17 meeting:

A super majority (60 percent +1) vote is required for successful passage of an emergency medical levy.  At the end of 2009, there were 12,025 registered voters. In the last general election, 6,747 votes were cast.  The minimum (40 percent) number of votes to validate would be 2,699.

There are two different scenarios for voter approval of an EMS Levy.  If at least 60 percent of the voters vote “Yes” with a voter turnout of more than 40 percent of the number of people voting in the last general election, the measure is passed.

If voter turnout is 40 percent or less than the number voting in the last general election, all is not lost.  In that case, as long as the number of “Yes” votes is equal to at least 60 percent times 40 percent of the number of people voting in the last general election, the measure passes. 

I said the formula was complicated.  To insure the passage of the levy, please take a minute or two now and cast your ballot today and vote “Yes” on the city of Mukilteo Proposition 1 – Levy for Emergency Medical Care and Services.

Linda G. Grafer, Mukilteo City Council

Mukilteo