Economic Justice

Mukilteo has a strong workforce, proximity to multiple technology and industry clusters, and essential air/road/rail distribution and infrastructure. This is in addition to a community, environment, and quality of life that is priceless. As our economy continues to grow and evolve, Mukilteo should focus on maximizing the benefits of growth while preserving value- and leave the race to the bottom, to others.

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Growth in business tax revenue has had a minimal impact on total tax revenue due to business taxes making up just 1/10th of total tax revenue.

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The result is the sustainability of our current budget depends on the implementation of banked property taxes, per the Mayor's Budget Message.  Increases in sales tax and/or levies that can force voters to choose between fiscal responsibility and safety, are other means of increasing non-business tax revenue. With automation expected to increase in retail and aerospace, we will find the benefit of jobs provided by these industries, and other industries, diminish over time. If this continues, the net effect will be that residents fund the government while businesses benefit. Additionally, small and new businesses pay a disproportionate amount of total business revenue if and when costs are sporadic, high, and fixed compared to ongoing, low, and variable depending on volume.

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Public Safety

I am running because the people of Mukilteo deserve a governing body that believes we can and should demand what we are worth. Our community is overly tax burdened, and I do not believe residents should bear the cost of increased business activity. I believe it is time for a reevaluation of our tax structure with the purpose of ensuring the effectiveness, sustainability, and equity of our tax code as we see the economic landscape of our community grow and evolve. I believe Mukilteo is up to the challenge of preserving our way of life while maximizing the benefits of economic growth, and I can help get us there.

 

Preserving the quality of life of Mukilteo
Mukilteo deserves a City Council that is not ideologically or politically driven. I am ready to rise to the challenge of maximizing economic prosperity while preserving the quality of life and small-town feel of Mukilteo. There is a cost to doing business, and part of self-governance is deciding who pays those costs. My education, professional experience, and civic engagement have prepared me to be a data-minded and policy-focused advocate for Mukilteo residents.

I am running to put economic justice, public safety, and preserving the quality of Mukilteo on the ballot. With proper planning that minimizes threats and maximizes opportunities, Mukilteo has the opportunity for placemaking that preserves the quality of Mukilteo while reaping & maximizing the benefits of growth from both the ferry and- ideally- the airport, by maintaining a unique, traditional, and high-quality lifestyle. As business activity increases and puts pressure on budgetary constraints*, though, our tax structure must be optimized to ensure this occurs. I am running for Mukilteo City Council with a vision of continuing to be a high-quality and safe Mukilteo, and believe economic justice is the key to accomplishing that vision. 

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*Please see the 'Economic Justice' page of this website to explore Mukilteo's current City budget

Voters are encouraged to reach out through any channel on this website with questions or concerns.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

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Kristina O. Melnichenko

Candidate, Mukilteo City Council Position No. 7