I was truly amazed when I received in the mail today a fact sheet outlining a proposed Auburn schools bond and capital levy for March.

This bond and levy will cost over a quarter billion dollars ($285,400,000) spanning a period of 10 years.

What timing. The state jobless rate is 7.1 percent with no signs of improvement, and obviously the citizens of Auburn are no better off.

It was just last year that then-superintendent Linda Cowan pushed through a levy and, at the same time, projected school tax rates for 2010 through 2012 would average $3.40/$1,000 of assessed home valuation. I was really relieved to know that my local school levy tax costs would decrease to a lower realistic level in the near future. In 2008, it was $996. Since then my palatial 1,700-square-foot estate near the casino has increased in value another $20,000. Now my school tax has increased to $1,085 per year. But wait, if the proposed bond issue and capital improvement passes, my school tax would increase to $1,242 per year. That’s approximately $104 per month, and this extends through the year 2019.

All the homeowners in Auburn will face this same dilemma, with just no end in sight. Out of all 20 school districts in King County, Auburn has the distinction of having the second-highest school levy rate, $4.41/$1000 of assessed home valuation for 2008. If this new levy and bond issue passes, our school levy rate will balloon to $5.05/$1000 of valuation.

I really feel that superintendent Dr. Kip Herren is asking far too much at one time and should wait for better times to try and impose higher taxes on the people of Auburn. I really don’t think any of the Auburn citizens are that financially solvent at this time.

– Chester H. Wells Jr.