Clark County – In a recent letter to the editor of ClarkCountyToday.com, local resident Gabriel Silliman of La Center warned voters that Charter Amendment 25 could make future tax increases more likely and strain families across the county.

Tax increases already high, says former councilor

Silliman points out that during the past four years, former county councilor Sue Marshall approved more than $8 million in property‑tax increases – a record for any councilor. By comparison, the previous 12 years saw only $4 million to $5 million in property‑tax growth.

Candidate’s mixed message on tax limits

Prospective councilor Troy McCoy, who is set to replace Marshall next year, told voters at a candidate forum that “there isn’t a lot of room for tax increases.” Yet when asked about Amendment 25, which would require four of the five councilors to approve any tax hike, McCoy replied, “80 % is a bar we don’t ask anybody to meet … you are going to elect people to make decisions – allow them to make those decisions! Eighty percent is too high of a bar, it’s political red meat, and unfortunately, it’s not very well thought out.”

Why the amendment could hurt the county

Supporters of the amendment claim it would make council decisions more democratic by demanding broader agreement. Silliman counters that the measure would actually make it easier for a small majority of councilors to push through tax increases, bypassing broader community input.

He also argues that requiring a higher threshold could stall county development and force officials to rely on tax hikes as the default solution for funding projects, rather than seeking more affordable and efficient alternatives.

Impact on families and community

“These taxes add up over time and burden residents instead of benefiting their way of life,” Silliman writes. He urges voters to consider the long‑term effect on families who already face rising costs for law enforcement, schools, and infrastructure.

“We the people have spoken,” the letter concludes, ending with a traditional blessing, “God bless.”

What voters need to know

Charter Amendment 25 will appear on the November ballot. If approved, it would change the voting rule for any future tax increase from a three‑out‑of‑five majority to a four‑out‑of‑five majority among council members. Voters who are concerned about keeping taxes low and ensuring fiscal responsibility are encouraged to review the amendment’s language and consider its potential impact on the county budget.

Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.