When writing in the April 21 edition of the Bothell-Kenmore Reporter, M. Williams states, “I have somehow missed a recent Bothell City Council decision to reimburse our city manager for his cost of acquiring a master’s degree.”

It was an easy decision to miss, because it didn’t appear on any agenda. Indeed, some members of the council had no idea that the issue was to be addressed on the evening that it was brought forward.

So much for transparency.

One of the arguments that has been put forward in support of the taxpayers picking up the tab for Mr. Stowe’s education is that this is an option that is open to city employees. That is correct, but the employee tuition reimbursement policy for the city wasn’t followed, including the repayment schedule. The policy is to repay 80 percent of cost if separation is within one year and 60 percent if separation is within two years. Mr. Stowe and Mayor Lamb put together a contract that requires 30 percent repayment if separation is within one year and 15 percent repayment if separation is within two years.

So much for following the rules.

Transparency and following rules are important. So is careful expenditure of the taxpayers’ money.

P. M. Pierce