I read with interest how the City of Issaquah is planning to adopt an “Ordinance of Significant Need” regarding our property taxes for 2010 (“Deflation leads to property tax fix,” The Reporter, Friday, Nov. 6).

Remembering that in 2001 the people of Washington passed Initiative 747 which limits the increase our property taxes to 1 percent or the rate of inflation – whichever is less — without a vote of the people. We should get a tax cut in 2010, but the city is proposing to hold the tax levy steady at 2009 levels, effectively a tax increase.

Our property taxes can always be increased beyond the I-747 limits if it is done by a vote of the people.

What the Mayor is asking the City Council to approve is to ignore the intent of the people and to ignore your household financial troubles at home so that she can have more of your money.

I hope our citizens will come to the City Council meeting on November 16 and tell the City Council that this is not your idea of good government. If you can’t make the meeting, send your City Council an email at citycouncil@ci.issaquah.wa.us .

Hank Thomas

Issaquah