Bonney Lake Mayor Neil Johnson and Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow have added their signatures to a letter from more than 100 mayors calling Gov. Chris Gregoire’s preliminary budget cuts “intolerable,” specifically the elimination of the distribution of state liquor taxes and profits.

“We in cities and towns understand the state’s serious budget dilemma and sympathize with the difficulties you face,” the letter states. “However, we are extremely disappointed to see the depth and breadth of your ‘preliminary choice’ budget cuts targeting cities and towns.”

The governor’s preliminary cuts are designed to help fill an expected $2 billion gap in the state’s biennial budget.

To the city of Sumner, the loss of liquor tax revenue would mean a hit of approximately $125,000 per year to the city’s budget, City Administrator Diane Supler said.

Supler also said the city is concerned because other state entitlement dollars could also be cut in the next budget cycle, meaning an even bigger chunk of the city’s revenues could disappear with the stroke of the legislature’s pen.

According to Bonney Lake City Administrator Don Morrison, the cuts would mean a reduction to the Bonney Lake of nearly $200,000.

“If we lost (the liquor tax money), that would be about $199,000 a year,” Morrison said, adding, “Those funds are specifically used for law enforcement.”

Morrison said the city uses the money to fund two police officers. If the governor’s budget was enacted as is, Morrison said money would have to  be made up from the city’s general fund, forcing cuts elsewhere.

“It’s a big hit,” he said.

The letter asks the governor to meet with representatives from the Association of Washington Cities, on whose letterhead the letter appears, to discuss how to best move forward.