Failed levy in Normandy Park could mean cuts to police force

 



NORMANDY PARK, Wash. -- With the failure of an elections measure that would have raised property taxes, some Normandy Park residents are now concerned about public safety.

Several city positions are on the chopping block, including police officers.

Normandy Perk owner Brandi Messer loves serving coffee to her regulars, including the police officers she sees every day.

“I come to work very early in the morning and I see them circling this parking lot every time, they are always checking it up and making sure everyone is safe,” Messer said.

But now that sense of security is in jeopardy with the defeat of the proposed levy, and two police jobs are on the chopping block.

“Losing two officers is two officers too many,” Messer said.

Several other Normandy Park city jobs, including the records specialist, could be eliminated to make up for a half-million dollar shortfall. But many who voted against the levy told Q13 FOX News they don’t regret their decision.

The city manager says without the proposed cuts, the city would be left with less than $80,000 in their general fund by the end of next year, an amount no city could operate under. But many residents say homeowners are getting tired of taxes going up year after year.

“The homeowners are going to pay the tab of anything; we have (and) that includes streets, police,” Normandy Park resident Joe Thomas said.

The city says they already have nearly $2 million worth of street repairs to do but don’t have the money.

Now with the failed levy, council members on Tuesday will be faced with specific cuts to keep their city afloat

“It’s going to have a major effect in our community as a whole,” Messer said.

City Council members could possibly make a final vote on the proposed cuts Tuesday evening.  Council members say some residents are now hoping to create a donation drive to prevent the cuts from happening.