We live just outside Kent in unincorporated King County, but do most of our business in Kent. We frequent two car-repair places, get our haircuts and medical care in Kent, eat at local restaurants, etc.
I just got some car work done and was told I was now paying an astonishing 9.5 percent sales tax in Kent, a full percent higher than in surrounding communities, and the maximum allowed by state law. In these times, people cannot afford additional expenses just to keep inefficient governments running. (I saw on the Kent city Web site that 75 percent of their budget is for “operating expenses.”)
Therefore, we will now be doing all our business in Renton or Covington. They are no less convenient. Maybe someday government will learn not to overspend when times are good, then just burden businesses and customers to make up for their shortsightedness. We face tough times too, but we don’t have the luxury of just forcing other people to give us more of their money so we can meet our budget. We have to actually cut back on our spending.
It’s called “responsibility.”
Terry Burlison
Kent
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