Edmonds City Council candidates answer questions on issues, qualifications - Edmonds Beacon
This is the first of two parts.
The Aug. 5 primary election will determine the two candidates moving on to the Nov. 4 general election. Two City Council seats are already set. Glena Krull and incumbent Chris Eck will advance to the general election for Position 1, as the top two finishers automatically qualify. Also moving on are challenger Jessica Bachmann and incumbent Will Chen for Position 2.
Council President Neil Tibbott is vacating his Position 3 seat, which has three candidates. They are Joseph Ademofe, Erika Barnett, and Alex Newman.
The Beacon supplied the same questions to each candidate, with a limit of 150 words per answer. We are listing their replies in alphabetical order according to last name.
Edmonds Beacon: Based on what you know about city government, why is Edmonds experiencing a financial crisis? What can the City do to return to fiscal health?
Joseph Ademofe: We can point out many factors that led us to this fiscal emergency. Our city’s perspectives about what led to this financial crisis are different. The City predicated our financial woes on the limitation of the 1% cap on property taxes, depletion of ARPA funds, reserves, budget overstatements, structural falls, inflation, revenue overestimates, and unexpected expenses. I agree with the aforementioned reasons.
In addition, I believe that mismanagement of funds also contributed to this fiscal emergency in some way. Having said all this, we cannot deny the fact that the lack of revenue streams diversification is the main cause of our financial struggles. We need to encourage and entice more business opportunities into our community to generate more sales tax. In essence, our dependence on property taxes is unrealistic and unsustainable for a city like Edmonds to be efficient in funding its overall services.
Erika Barnett: This crisis didn’t come from one decision. It’s the result of years of structural deficits, limited long-term planning, short-term budget patches, and financial assumptions that didn’t hold up. Spending began to outpace sustainable revenue, and the City relied on temporary fixes instead of building a durable financial framework.
To move forward, we need stronger planning, better forecasting, clearer communication, and accountability for how public dollars are spent. My background in business planning and operations gives me the tools to help Edmonds realign its budget with community priorities and restore public trust.
Alex Newman: Edmonds is facing a structural deficit, where expenses for essential services are growing faster than the City’s limited revenue. This is not unique to Edmonds, but our outdated systems and reliance on short-term fixes have made the problem worse. As a nonprofit executive with experience in managing complex budgets and emergency response, I understand the need for financial transparency and long-term planning. We must raise revenues by supporting business hubs in our community and increasing traffic enforcement in school zones.
Beacon: Your thoughts on the EMS and levy lid lift? Should homeowners have to pay more to keep the city solvent? $14.5 million is a big ask.
Ademofe: There is no doubt that it is a huge amount of money to request from property taxpayers. I believe the levy lid lift proposition should be passed due to our current financial predicament. However, I question the amount of the figure ($14.5 million) that is being asked. From my qualitative analysis, I realized some residents were disgruntled with the whole levy lid lift conversation.
They perceived that the conversations surrounding the levy lid lift discussion lack clarity. I believe more clarity from elected officials and City staff would have made a tremendous difference in persuading some of the residents’ skepticism. This might have swayed the perspectives of people who oppose the levy lid lift proposition to favor it. Most importantly, our City must get out of the reliance on property taxes to relieve the financial burden on taxpayers.
Barnett: Homeowners will already be paying more due to the RFA annexation, which shifted EMS costs directly to taxpayers. As part of that transition, the City’s previous EMS levy funds will now support the general fund. The proposed $14.5M levy lid lift reflects strong public feedback to fully fund Edmonds – not just to get by, but to protect the services and public spaces that define our community.
Of course, public land shouldn’t be on the table to close budget gaps. We also need to explore other revenue streams, like tourism-based parking, annexation opportunities, and attracting new businesses. I will work to ensure greater accountability and transparency around the outcomes, impact, and deliverables tied to every tax dollar spent.
Newman: Public safety and emergency services must be funded, and so must public trust. I support renewing the EMS levy and believe the City must clearly explain any additional requests, especially a 14.5% levy lid lift. That’s a serious increase for many residents. We need a full, transparent accounting of how funds will be used and what efficiencies have been pursued. Only then can we ask voters to consider new revenue with confidence and clarity.
Beacon: Why become a candidate? What previous municipal or relevant professional relationships make you a good choice for City Council?
Ademofe: My professional experience includes work with Homeland Security, being a head soccer coach at the college level, as well as working as a lead security personnel for the University of Washington. I am also one of the diversity commissioners for the City of Edmonds, which is currently placed on pause due to the fiscal crisis. My passion for civic duties and political dialogues propelled me to attain a BA in political science and a master’s in international studies.
These experiences would allow me to be an additional asset to the legislative body. This has given me well-rounded experience, knowledge, and insight that I can utilize as an elected city official. What all these professional experiences have in common is my ability to collaborate, manage, and lead a team while navigating change. My entrenchment in civic virtue transcends any political ideologies that could undermine the common welfare of our residents.
Barnett: I’m running because I care deeply about Edmonds – and I have skin in the game. My family lives here, we own a downtown business that employs over 30 people, and our kids attend school in the Edmonds School District. I’ve served as board chair of the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce and understand how policy decisions affect our local economy.
My career spans corporate business operations and client development at Microsoft and several marketing firms, where I led strategy and helped organizations grow responsibly. I bring both heart and hands-on experience to the table – and I’m ready to serve with steady, practical leadership.
Newman: I’m running because our parks and public services are under threat and I am fighting to protect them. I believe in public service, and Edmonds deserves leadership that brings fresh perspective, real experience, and a deep commitment to community.
I serve as executive director of the American Red Cross for Northwest Washington, leading teams across five counties and making big impacts out of tight budgets. I’ve worked on the frontlines of emergency sheltering, refugee resettlement, and disaster relief – always with a focus on coordination, accountability, and outcomes. I bring that same focus to Edmonds.