By Peja Harding
UW News Lab

Tukwila City Councilmembers continued their discussion of the city’s biennial budget at Monday’s city council meeting, focusing on a “people’s project” that would fund community improvement.

Tukwila Mayor Thomas McLeod introduced several funds and the “people’s project” at the head of the meeting. A $50,000 grant allocated by the city, the “people’s project” will allow the Tukwila community to decide what to improve in the city.

The new funds come from the city council’s vote on Proposition 1 in 2023, which annexed the city of Tukwila into the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority. It provided long-term funding to ensure fire and first responder service to the city.

“We do want to reach out and hear where the community wants us to put some immediate funds,” said McLeod.

At Monday’s meeting Mcleod disclosed that the city is budgeting $6 million of the property tax revenue from the annex to be given back to Tukwila taxpayers.

Along with the “people’s project,” McLeod announced that this particular budget would also fund the permanent placement of two police officers in Westfield Southcenter, in addition to a full time park ranger in Tukwila parks and trails.

Public safety is a top priority for this budget, McLeod said.

“This is our path forward,” said McLeod.

During council reports, McLeod reflected on his trip to a Microsoft summit on organized retail crime. He noted that the continued violence in and outside of the Westfield Southcenter mall is not only of concern to the City but to Tukwila police and Westfield entities, who were both present at the summit.

“It really is an organized effort…on how we can minimize that impact on our city,” McLeod said.

During the meeting city staff continued to debrief council members on specific funds within the budget. Council member’s questions about Fund 411 Foster Golf Links and Fund 501 equipment rental and replacement, led to a discussion on the city’s carbon footprint and emissions.

“It was brought up about reducing our carbon footprint and that seems to be the direction that a lot of cities are trying to head. As long as it’s part of the conversation … that’s all I ask,” said council member Dennis Martinez.

Public Works Operations Manager Shawn Christie and Budget Analyst Griffin Lerner mapped out the maintenance and leasing commitments of the city’s vehicles.

With a dozen vehicles to fund through the budget, Martinez questioned if either funds took into account the city’s carbon footprint as both the Foster Links golf carts and the city’s fleet are gas-powered.

City officials did not give a clear answer on whether or not Tukwila can expect funding for electric city vehicles, but it is clear that clean energy is a priority.

“We are continually exploring grant opportunities,” said Lerner. Christie clarified that the task of electrifying the fleet begins with infrastructure changes to facilitate charging stations and equipment.

Martinez later noted that citizens and council members have concerns about ensuring a reduced carbon footprint.

“​​As elected officials we on council must project our city’s future contribution to the environment,” Martinez said.

The next Tukwila City Council regular meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024 at 7 p.m.

University of Washington’s News Lab (COM 362) gives advanced Journalism and Public Interest Communication students an opportunity to build a dynamic clip portfolio by working with client news outlets and other organizations in the greater Seattle area.