To the editor:

By the end of July voters should receive their mail-in ballots for the August primary election. Of special interest to me is a proposed increase in the sales tax rate in Island County.

Island Transit is asking to increase the sales tax rate from the current 8.4 percent to 8.7 percent. I intend to vote NO!

This measure would increase the cost of living for everyone who lives in, or shops in, Island County. And it would put our local businesses at an even greater disadvantage compared to businesses in Skagit County where the sales tax rate is 8 percent. This is especially true for more expensive items like major appliances and automobiles.

Island Transit states that their income has not increased much since 2007 (sounds like most of us), while they have had to pay more for fuel and other items (haven’t we all).

Island Transit expects to spend 20 percent more this year than they did in 2007 and are asking the voters to bail them out. I believe that it is time for Island Transit to find ways to live within their income like the rest of us must.

Please join me in voting no on the proposed sales tax increase for Island Transit.

Dick Caldwell

Coupeville