PORT TOWNSEND — City officials trying to deliver information about a proposed property tax levy on the Nov. 2 ballot are trying to cope with disappointment after this week’s contentious public forum, which turned more personal than informational.
“It’s one of those things where you just kind of have to take it as another night in Port Townsend,” City Manager David Timmons said Thursday.
The forum, held Tuesday night, was intended to explain city Proposition 1, the proposal to increase the property tax rate from $1.95 to $2.95 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
Timmons detailed the projected $700,000 budget deficit, the reasons for seeking the levy, and what would be cut if the measure doesn’t achieve a majority vote.
During a subsequent public comment period during the session at the Community Center, more than a dozen community members commented sharply about the budget crisis.
“What disappointed me the most is the personalization,” Timmons said.
“It makes you pause. It really does. You kind of have to remind yourself that there is a whole other community out there.”
Under critical fire
Timmons came under fire on a variety of issues.
“Comments that came in the form of the questions didn’t allow us time to answer them directly,” Timmons said during an interview Thursday with Peninsula Daily News.
“We tried to cover as much as we could and provide as much information as we could as administrators.
“Remember, we are not the policy makers.”
