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Clyde Hill’s Budget Crisis: Time for Action, Not Blame

The city of Clyde Hill is facing a budget crisis, but the situation may not be as dire as some are making it out to be. Councilmember Dean Hachamovitch has taken to public forums to voice concerns about the city’s financial future, pointing fingers at Mayor Friedman’s approach to the 2025 budget. While there’s no denying that Clyde Hill needs a solution to its growing deficit, it’s important to cut through the noise and focus on the real issue at hand: the responsibility of the City Council to make the tough choices necessary to balance the budget.

First, let’s get one thing clear—Washington state law mandates that city budgets must be balanced. Clyde Hill, like every other city in the state, cannot simply ignore a financial shortfall. This means that, no matter what the current numbers look like, the City Council will have to find a way to bring revenues and expenditures into alignment. The good news? The Council has the authority and the time to make the necessary adjustments.

Despite some of the dramatic rhetoric, this problem didn’t emerge overnight. It began when Councilmember Hachamovitch and others took office. For years, the city has relied on reserves to make up for gaps in revenue, but that isn’t a sustainable long-term plan. Now, Clyde Hill is at a crossroads: either cut spending, raise taxes or share services with neighboring cities. These are the only realistic options available, and it’s the council’s job to decide which path to take.

Councilmember Hachamovitch’s critique of the budget process gives the impression that the council has had no role in the city’s financial situation. But let’s not forget that every spending measure has passed through the council, which means they’ve been aware of the budget’s trajectory. They’re the ones who have signed off on the expenditures, and now it’s time for them to step up and take responsibility for fixing the problem.

What’s troubling is the mixed messaging coming from some members of the council, including Hachamovitch. By presenting the situation as though they are powerless to act, it creates confusion among residents about what comes next. The truth is, the council has all the tools it needs to correct course—it just has to be willing to make the hard decisions. Reducing staff levels, cutting services or sharing services is never easy, but neither is the prospect of raising taxes. Either way, it’s up to the council to figure out how to move forward.

Ultimately, this isn’t about assigning blame—it’s about doing the work. Clyde Hill’s budget won’t fix itself, and no amount of posturing will change that. The next budget workshop on October 25 is a critical opportunity for the council to make real progress. Residents are encouraged to tune in remote or in person and make public comments (Oct 25th at 1pm). We deserve clarity, specifics, and a plan for the future—not more finger-pointing.

Let’s hope the council gets to work.

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