Money summit looks at taxation

Published 4:00 pm Thursday, September 30, 2004

It’s an election year, and taxes are on the lips of every politician running a race and pundit pleading a case.

To make sense of it all, the Bainbridge Island Economic Council will spotlight regional tax issues at their ninth annual Economic Vitality Conference held this Friday.

The day-long event features speakers versed in state and local economic and tax issues.

“With all the initiatives restructuring property and motor vehicle taxes, every governmental unit is struggling to find money,” said council co-founder Merrill Robison. “The conference will look forward to the future and help us understand the impact of these tax policies.”

Hugh Spitzer, vice chairman of the governor’s tax advisory commission, is the event’s keynote speaker. Robison praised Spitzer as a “public law financial genius” for his work shaping tax policy toward Washington-based corporations.

Spitzer is the former bond counsel for the City of Seattle and is now a finance specialist with the Foster, Pepper and Shefelman law firm.

Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman will serve as the event’s lunchtime speaker. He will discuss economic policies that revitalized parts of Bremerton’s downtown and waterfront.

Bozeman was a three-term mayor of Bellevue before moving to Bremerton to direct the Olympic College Foundation. He was elected mayor of Bremerton in 2002 and has earned regional praise for his leadership in urban redevelopment.

The event will also feature Marty Brown, the state Office of Financial Management director. Brown was appointed by Gov. Gary Locke in 1999 and has worked to simplify the state budget process; and will discuss ways to prioritize the needs of government.

An afternoon panel discussion with representatives from the City of Bainbridge Island, the Bainbridge Island School District, fire department and parks will cap the event. Bob Fortner of the Bainbridge Resource Group will lead the discussion, exploring the city’s financial planning and audience concerns.

“We hope the conference will pique people’s interest and educate people as to how complex these issues are and how hard elected officials must work to come up with solutions,” Robison said.

The conference will be held at the Wing Point Golf and Country Club and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Tickets are $25 and include lunch, pastries and coffee. Call 842-3700 to make reservations or for more information.