The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOW 2007-08-27 Item 5D - Resolution - Support Constitutional Amendment EHJR 4204 for SchooL Levies Be Approved by Simple Majority of Voters COUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS IP ITEM NO. zc )9; MeetinxDate I Prepared by I Mayor's review I Qiuncil review s 1 08/27/07 1 VG 1 A Ali— 14/1:1 1 09/04/07 1 VG 1 1 1 1 ITEM 1NFORMAT1ON V CAS NUMBER: 07-100 ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: AUGUST 27, 2007 AGENDA ITEM TITLE A resolution supporting proposed constitutional amendment EHJR 4204 allowing school levies to be approved by a simple majority of voters CATEGORY [S] Discussion 0 Motion EZ1 Resolution fl Ordinance 0 Bid Award 0 Public Hearing 0 Other Mtg Date 8/27/07 Mtg Date iVItg Date 9/4/07 Mg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date (SPONSOR E Council 0 Mayor 0 Adin Svcs Lj DCD 0 Finance 111 Fire 0 Legal P&R El Police 0 PW I SPONSOR'S On April 12, 2007 the Washington State Legislature passed a joint resolution putting a SUNEVARY constitutional amendment regarding simple majority (for school levies) on the ballot. Now a majority of voters must approve the measure at the ballot box. It will be on the general election ballot on November 6, 2007. REVIEWED BY Li COW Mtg. LI CA&P Cmte F&S Cmte El Transportation Cmte E] Utilities Cmte jJ Arts Comm. 111 Parks Comrn. El Planning Comm. DAIE: 8/20/07 RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR/ADMIN. Adoption of resolution COMMITTEE Unanimous Approval; Forward to Committee of the Whole ,COST IMPACT _SOB RCE- EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED $NA Fund Source: Comments: s [-MTG.-, DATE s 1-1RECORDiOWCOUN_CILACTION I 08/27/07 1/I TG;_ DATE NTTACHMENT S 8/27/07 1 Informational memo dated August 13, 2007 Resolution in draft form Minutes from the Finance Safety Committee meeting of August 20, 2007 1- A City of Tukwila 4 1 11 1� City Council 7908 MEMORANDUM TO: Finance and Safety Committee FROM: Verna Griffin, Council President CC: Mayor Mullet Rhonda Berry, City Administrator DATE: August 13, 2007 SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of Simple Majority On April 12, 2007, the Washington Legislature passed a joint Resolution putting a constitutional amendment regarding simple majority on the ballot. Now a majority of voters must approve the measure at the ballot box. It will be on the general election ballot on November 6, 2007. To support our families, schools and the children of Tukwila, I would like the Council to consider the attached resolution in support of proposed amendment EHJR 4204. Attached is a draft resolution that has been reviewed by our City Attorney and the following is a brief history and review of the process. What is the supermajority requirement? Although most other electoral decisions only require a simple majority of 50 percent plus one, the Washington State Constitution requires that voters approve all school levies and bonds by 60 percent, or a "supermajority." The higher standard often requires school districts to hold more than one election to pass (sometimes over a number of years), resulting in higher costs to taxpayers. School election approval is even more difficult because the Constitution also says that the total "yes" votes must equal three fifths of 40 percent of the number of votes in the last general election. Why was the supermajority requirement imposed? The requirement was put into the State Constitution 63 years ago, when the country was just emerging from the Great Depression and World War 11 a period rife with economic uncertainty and property tax anxiety. Over 2000 school districts existed and voters were often confused about these elections —hence the term "stealth elections." Many property owners feared that higher property taxes would be passed by non property owners resulting in a higher tax burden for them or even the loss of their home or farm. Why should we change the supermajority requirement now? With increased accountability and higher standards we expect a lot more of our students, our teachers and our schools. In turn, they deserve a fair system for getting financial support from their communities. The conditions which existed in 1944 no longer exist. There are only 295 school districts. School elections are highly visible. Every registered voter can vote by absentee ballot. In fact, 34 of 39 counties use all mail -in ballots. It is not even possible to hold a "stealth election." Every single school election has surpassed the old validation requirement in the past five years. Memo: Resolution in Support of Simple Maioritv nacre 2 What does EHJR 4204 do? EHJR 4204 is a proposed amendment to the Washington State Constitution which will provide for a simple majority of voters (50% f 1) to authorize excess capital, maintenance and operation, and transportation levies for school districts. The amendment also removes the 40 percent election validation requirement for levy elections. Currently school levies must receive both a 60% supermajority approval and meet the 40 percent validation requirement to pass. The ballot measure applies only to school levies. It does NOT apply to school bond elections. What happens when school districts can't pass their levies? The cost of running the levy will go up. Most levies pass eventually, but it can take years and cost the voters millions. Levy failures result in huge cuts to school staffing and programs, negatively impacting schools and kids for years this in turn, impacts our community. is this a tax increase? No. EHJR 4204 is a constitutional amendment. It is not a tax increase. How can the supermajority be changed? A constitutional amendment is required to change the supermajority requirement. DRAFT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT EHJR 4204, WHICH WOULD ALLOW LOCAL SCHOOL LEVIES TO BE APPROVED BY A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF VOTERS. WHEREAS, financial resources provided through voter approved school levies are essential to a local school district's ability to provide a well- rounded, quality education for each student and WHEREAS, local levy dollars account for a significant portion of school district operating budgets in Washington; and WHEREAS, school districts in the State of Washington are subject to laws requiring a higher "supermajority" threshold for voter approval of school levies; and WHEREAS, although routinely supported by a majority of voters, school levies fail because this higher threshold requirement allows a minority of voters to obstruct resources for student learning; and WHEREAS, EHJR 4204 would allow school levies to be approved by a majority of those voting, which would place school levies on par with other ballot measures; and WHEREAS, the State of Washington's constitution declares that there is no higher priority than the education of all children; and WHEREAS, the fundamental mission of Washington State's public schools is to ensure that all students possess the knowledge and skills to be responsible citizens and enjoy productive and satisfying lives; and WHEREAS, adequate, stable funding is critical to the fulfillment of this mission; and WHEREAS, the City Council believes our community is best served by ensuring that local school districts are able to provide a quality education to young Tukwila citizens; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: The City Council strongly supports EHJR 4204, to allow citizens throughout the state to support student learning and success through simple majority approval of school levies, and urges Tukwila citizens to vote "yes" on November 6, 2007. PASSED BY THE t:11Y COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of 2007. ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED: Verna Griffin, Council President Jane E. Cantu, CMC, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Office of the City Attorney Resolution Number: C: \Documents and Settings \All Users \Desktop\ Kelly \MSDATA \Resolutlons \Simple ,Majority Schools.doc KM:km 8/21/2007 Page 1 of 1 0 z'' City of Tukwila -x:41. 40 0 •:Qi jJ \CI N a i Finance Safety Committee .r 0 isoa FINANCE AND SAFETY COMIVIITTEE Meeting Minutes August 20, 2007- 5: 00 p.m. PRESENT Councilmembers: Jim Haggerton, Chair; Joan Hernandez and Dennis Robertson Staff: David Haynes, Mike Villa, Trina Cook, Kevin Fuhrer, Mary Miotke, Rhonda Berry and Kimberly Matej Guests: Chuck Parrish CALL TO ORDER: Committee Chair Haggerton called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. L PRESENTATIONS No presentations. II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Resolution Supporting Simple Maioritv for Local School Levies Council President Verna Griffin has submitted this resolution for the Committee's consideration, and l full Council support if deemed appropriate. A constitutional amendment will be on the November general election ballot for the simple majority approval of school levies. Currently, a supermajority is required. This resolution, if supported by full Council will encourage Tukwila voter's to vote yes on the election ballot, changing approval requirements for local school levies to a simple majority from its current supermajority. Since Tukwila community members utilize several school districts for educational opportunities, the Committee requested one change to the resolution in the last whereas. Tukwila School District should be replaced with local school districts. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO AUGUST 27 COW. B. Proposal for Expenditures Relative to Police Department Seizure Funds Staff is proposing three purchases for the police depaittnent with the use of seizure funds. Funding sources are not available for these purchases in the current budget. These expenditures will include the purchase of concealable revolvers, surveillance van modifications and GPS mapping devices totaling approximately $12,500. The Committee feels these purchases are well justified and will be very useful in assisting the police in responding to incidents. Committee members initialed all appropriate purchase orders. INFORMATION ONLY. C. Block Watch Newsletter Inquiries have been made as to what happened to the Block Watch Newsletter that was previously sent to residents. Feedback received appears to suggest that residents found this newsletter useful. Police Chief Haynes briefed the Committee on the formation of a Police Public Relations Committee approximately one year ago. The Public Relations Committee meets monthly. Chief Haynes discussed that one of the decisions of this committee was to discontinue the distribution of the Block Watch Newsletter and focus police reporting efforts in the Hazelnut. Reasons for this decision