ALEN BLANCO HERNANDEZ 2035
Burien's Proposition No. 1 Levy Lid Lift for Public Safety
SAY YES TO SAFER STREETS, STRONGER COMMUNITY
THE COST OF DOING NOTHING
Right now, Burien is projected to face a $2.5 million deficit, and like most cities in Washington, can only increase property tax revenue by 1% per year. Yet the cost of running our city and providing essential services is rising much faster. In 2026 alone, inflation (CPI) is expected to rise 2.7%, and the police services contract will increase 6.9%.
Because public safety is essential, we can’t cut police services—which means those shortfalls have to come from somewhere else: potential staff reductions, shorter City Hall hours, and fewer Parks and Recreation programs that families rely on. Capital improvement projects could cease indefinitely due to a lack of available funding.
The Public Safety Levy helps address this by creating a stable, dedicated funding source that supports critical programs and keeps the City’s general fund intact for other essential services.
This measure protects what’s working, prevents harmful cuts, and ensures Burien continues to be a safe, well-run, and forward-moving city for everyone.
VISION &
PRIORITIES
The Public Safety Levy funds the priorities that directly strengthen safety, stability, and quality of life in Burien:
01
EXPAND CO-RESPONSE TEAMS
Police officers and mental health professionals will work together to effectively address homelessness, behavioral health crises, and public drug use—allowing officers to stay focused on higher-priority public safety concerns.
02
MAINTAIN AND INCREASE
POLICE STAFFING
This measure not only sustains current staffing levels but also adds two new officers each year (for the next 5 years) to reach the level needed to properly serve a city of Burien’s size. Increased staffing ensures adequate patrol coverage, faster response times, and continued support for community safety and crime prevention programs.
03
ENHANCE STREET AND
SIDEWALK SAFETY
These infrastructure improvements are essential to public safety. Better sidewalks, upgraded crosswalks, and additional lighting reduce accidents, deter crime, and create safer, more welcoming spaces for everyone who lives, works, and visits Burien.
WHY THIS LEVY MATTERS
The Burien Public Safety Levy is a necessary investment in a model that works.It ensures continuation and expansion of our successful co-response program—pairing law enforcement with mental health professionals to provide 24/7 support for people in crisis.
This approach improves outcomes for those facing domestic violence, grief, drug abuse, or mental health struggles, while reducing reliance on traditional law enforcement.
Burien has seen meaningful improvements in safety and response—proof that this approach works. The program is being eliminated due to the loss of federal funding, even though it has proven effective at directing people to resources and keeping our community safe.
The levy also builds on that success by maintaining and growing police staffing—so we have more officers available for the work that truly matters, instead of stretched officers covering too many calls. It also funds essential street and sidewalk improvements, including better lighting, to deter crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Passing this measure means continuing that forward momentum—keeping proven strategies in place, strengthening what’s working, and ensuring Burien remains a safe, healthy, and forward-moving city for all.
FAQ / Myths vs Facts
Fact:
The levy rate is based on your home’s assessed value (not market value). The average Burien home is assessed at $596,000, and for that amount, the estimated cost is:
Example Home Value Monthly Cost Annual Cost
$596,000 (average) $39.50 / month ≈ $474 / year
$750,000 ≈ $49.70 / month ≈ $596 / year
$1,000,000 ≈ $66.30 / month ≈ $796 / year
How it works:
The levy rate is calculated per $1,000 of assessed value. At the estimated rate, the math looks like this:$596,000 ÷ $1,000 × $0.79 ≈ $471.84 per year (Rounded to $474 for simplicity.)
Even at higher home values, the investment remains modest compared to the benefits it provides: 24/7 crisis response, additional officers, and safer sidewalks and lighting across Burien.
Note: Assessed value is determined by the King County Assessor, which may differ from your home’s current market price.
✅ Fact
Burien is currently operating below recommended staffing levels for a city of its size. On average, only about 34 officers are available when the city pays for nearly 45 positions. The levy helps close that gap by funding two additional officers per year over the next five (5) years, ensuring better patrol coverage, quicker response times, and more consistent public safety presence across all neighborhoods.
✅ Fact
The levy funds a balanced approach that supports both mental health response and traditional policing. The co-response model has proven effective in handling crisis calls, freeing officers to focus on major public safety priorities. At the same time, the levy adds two new officers each year, ensuring Burien has the staffing needed for faster response times and stronger neighborhood safety.
✅ Fact
Levy dollars are legally restricted to public safety. They cannot be diverted. Every dollar must go toward programs like co-response, police staffing, and safety infrastructure. Spending will be tracked through public reports and audits for full transparency.
✅ Fact
The measure includes built-in oversight, with annual audits, public reporting, and transparent tracking of how every dollar is spent. Burien residents will be able to see exactly where funds go—and the results those investments deliver.
✅ Fact
They absolutely are. Safer sidewalks, improved lighting, and better infrastructure deter crime, reduce accidents, and make it safer to walk, bike, and drive in Burien—especially for families, seniors, and those commuting after dark.
✅ Fact
Without the levy, Burien will lose our co-response services, delay new officer hiring, and face slower response times. The progress we’ve made could unravel, leaving fewer resources for both safety and crisis support.
✅ Fact
Federal and temporary grants have already ended. This levy provides a stable, local funding source controlled by Burien—not by outside agencies or shifting budgets—ensuring continuity for essential safety services.
VOTE YES PROP 1 Levy Lid Lift for Public Safety November 4, 2025
Vote with Confidence
A “YES” vote supports preserving and expanding co-response services, to address homelessness, public drug use, mental health crisis, additional officers, and safer streets and sidewalks across Burien. Any funds collected from this levy lift would be held by the City in its own special revenue fund.
How to Vote
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Election Day: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
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Ballots arrive: Mid-October
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Ballot drop boxes: Available 24/7 until 8 PM on Election Day
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Register or check your status: VoteWA.gov
GET INVOLVED AND IMPACT OUR CAMPAIGN
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PROP 1 LEVY LID LIFT for PUBLIC SAFETY IS PROUDLY ENDORSED BY: