Leavitt wants city council resolution against liquor privatization

Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt isn’t up for reelection this year, but he is taking a strong stand on at least one topic on this November’s ballot — Initiatives 1100 and 1105.

On Monday, Leavitt is putting a resolution before the city council to oppose the initiatives, which would end the state’s monopoly on hard liquor sales and also take up to $2 million out of Vancouver’s already struggling budget.

“People may save a buck or two on a bottle of booze, but the city of Vancouver loses 15 more police officers,” Leavitt said. “It doesn’t get more stark than that.”

The resolution, which will also includes a public hearing, is intended to raise awareness about the potential impact of the initiatives before ballots are mailed Wednesday, he said.

Should either pass, the financial blow would come on the heels of a $10 million budget deficit that’s had Vancouver officials scrambling for grants and other measures to preserve public safety and other core services.

Clark County commissioners were told in a workshop last month that the county stands to lose $1 million in 2011-12 and $1.4 million every two years starting in 2013 if voters pass I-1100. If I-1105 prevails, the county would lose $1.2 million in 2011-12 and $2 million every two years as of 2013.

The state Office of Financial Management says I-1100 would cut its budget by up to $85 million in revenues, and I-1105 would create an additional gap of $547 million.

For the full story, read Saturday’s edition of The Columbian.