An Essay on Good Government
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“Attacks on the press and on science- indeed on any kind of expertise or fact- have hampered our capacity to lead” (Volcker, 2018, pg. 240). Before retiring, Paul Volcker led U.S. monetary and regulatory policy for decades. His memoir focuses on the quest for good governance and sound money. Volcker’s plea for future government leaders “is very simple. At the end of the day,
good policy is dependent on good management” (pg. 239).
As a data analyst, when I report to my boss that a certain activity or employee is under-performing, I am helping our organization work most effectively. I am allowing data to illustrate what our actions are (or are not) accomplishing, and providing the means to make decisions that minimize threats and maximize opportunities. I can say with confidence that the most successful leaders I’ve served respect the directives of good data.
Mukilteo’s story of budgetary constraints and inequitable taxation is one of an outdated tax structure that is not reaping- much less maximizing- the benefits of economic growth. I believe this failure is the result of an inappropriate politicization of our City government. Our Mayor is running for Snohomish County Council on a platform of “maximizing the benefits of growth” (League of Women Voter’s forum from July 2019) while the Mayor’s focus on keeping taxes low, per her campaign website- and the impact this has had on Mukilteo's budget- is not in line with this objective. I am running for Mukilteo City Council in order to motion for consideration of a City Business & Occupation tax that would effectively harness the benefits of our local economy while alleviating some of the tax burden on small businesses, homeowners, residents, and visitors. A low, variable, and ongoing revenue stream of business taxes generated by a B&O gives Mukilteo the opportunity to lower the cost of some Permits, currently some of which have a high fixed cost that puts a disproportionate burden on small businesses. If Mukilteo is to become a destination town next to the airport, and benefit from the 30% increase in traffic expected by WSF by 2040, we need concrete tax policy that harnesses those benefits.
Not abstract promises that don’t align with policy.
The conservative choice for Mukilteo City Council Position No.7, who consistently ran deficits as Mayor of Mukilteo, is running on a platform of aesthetics while our budget trails behind our needs and opportunities. The conservative choice for Snohomish County Council No.2- our own Mukilteo City Council member- has promised to maximize federal dollars spent to mitigate the noise pollution from Paine Field (League of Women Voters County Council forum), and believes equity is defined as equality, per comments on eliminating street parking for both non-residents and homeowners in Discovery Crest and Waterford Park (May 20, 2019 Mukilteo City Council meeting). In fact, true “equity” is about fairness- not equality. And truly conservative ideology should not promote the application of federal funding to private enterprise in a misguided attempt to appease both residents and businesses without making tough choices. All of these examples are a testament to the pattern of disparity between rhetoric and policy that defines the
politicization of our local government.
Volcker asks on page 239, “How can new technology, including big data, be brought to bear on management issues?” I’ve wondered that myself. I know there is the opportunity for facts, figures, and spreadsheets to lead our City towards a prosperous and booming future where Mukilteo and its residents thrive. As a data analyst I am best equipped to fulfill the fact-based needs of Mukilteo City Council Position No.7 because I am not ideologically or politically driven. The City Council is nonpartisan by design- because sustainable budgets and quality of life are values that resonate with everyone. We have, should, and can have a city government that is based on
responsible fiscal management driven by facts.
The potential for distraction in a politically-motivated City government is a testament to the non-partisan structure that our City is intended to be. In addition to muddying objectives, politicization has resulted in a lack of clarity surrounding the extent to which our City government follows Washington State law. A professional City Administrator gives Mukilteo the opportunity to remove confusion that is the result of mixing political and professional duties. This 2019 election gives Mukilteo the opportunity to elect a slate of non-partisan public servants to a new Council-Manager form of government. In doing so we can reclaim a non-partisan and fact-based City government, so we can follow the advice of Volcker’s mother and, “get back to work” (Volcker, pg. 240).
-Kristina Melnichenko
Candidate Mukilteo City Council No.7
07/27/2019
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Referenced:
Volcker, Paul & Harper, Christine. Keeping at it. New York: PublicAffairs Hachette Book Group, 2018. Print.
May 20, 2019 Mukilteo City Council meeting, Rorbough comments at 2 hours 40 minutes in: mukilteo-wa.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=770
League of Women Voters Snohomish County Council forum https://lwvsnoho.org/services/magazine-on-the-air/