I am writing to urge you to support Proposition 1 to fund road and sidewalk improvements in the city of Covington. As a homeowner, I am never happy about tax increases except in the case where I know that the money is going for a cause or specific use that I am in favor of.  In this case, the taxes raised from a 0.2 percent increase in the Covington sales tax would be restricted to road and sidewalk improvements.

These are necessary and overdue improvements, just ask anyone who navigates through Covington from east to west, or north to south. Covington is largely a hub for southeast King County residents of nearby towns and unincorporated areas of King County. Rather than burden only the citizens of Covington, this is a very fair way to leverage the sales tax revenues to finance the street improvements. With growth in the nearby communities continuing and the continued expansion of our rich shopping and dining choices, it makes sense that those traveling to and from Covington help with the road and sidewalk maintenance and repairs.

As evidenced by the hours of review from the Budget Priorities Advisory Committee, Covington is a well-run city with little to no waste in expenditures. There is no “hidden” money to make these needed repairs. I urge you to vote yes on Proposition 1 and help us fund needed road and sidewalk repairs.

Conni Elliott
Covington