Councilman Hank Myers Announces Bid for Re-Election

Redmond City Councilman Hank Myers said he always planned to run for more than one term. When he first ran for election in 2007, Myers said the current and past city council members he consulted with all recommended serving three or four terms.

“The one thing that all of them said was that you can’t be effective in the job immediately," Myers said. "It takes time to learn it."

Myers, 66, announced Tuesday that he would seek a second term on the city council this fall. His position is uncontested thus far, according to the Washington Public Disclosure website.

During his time in office, Myers, an independent transportation economics consultant, has served on the city council's Public Safety Committee and the Parks and Human Services Committee. He said one of his proudest accomplishments has been helping to make undeveloped park land accessible for low-impact uses by installing walking trails, community gardens and other features.

“Those sort of things, I’ve felt really good about,” he said.

One thing Myers said he would like to change if re-elected is making the tax rate more consistent from year to year. Myers said the city currently drafts its budget assuming there will be some increase to property tax rates, but he would like officials to begin by creating a budget scenario with no increase and then consider whether any additional expenditures warrant the change.

“It’s virtually impossible to reduce spending” once the budget is in place, Myers said. “What I’m hoping we can do next time is go in expecting we’re not going to have a tax increase.”

Former Redmond City Council President Arnie Tomac voiced his support of Myers’ re-election bid in a campaign news release.

“People increasingly feel detached from government,” Tomac said. “Hank is an active and accessible council member. He works hard to make sure the public is involved in helping build Redmond's future.”

ABOUT HANK MYERS

• Family: Wife, Christine; two adult children
• Education: Bachelor's degree in English, California State University; master's and continuing education courses in business
• Leadership positions: Board of directors, Redmond Together Center; Public Safety Committee; Parks and Human Services Committee; Metro Transit advisory board
• Email: hank@hankm.com