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Home My WebLink AboutReg 2019-07-15 Item 5A - Resolution - Support for King County Proposition #1 Regarding 2020-2025 Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space LevyCOUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS MeetiqDate 07/15/19 Prepared by LH Mayor's remen, idn4C Council review ITEM INFORMATION ITEM No. 5.A. STAN: SPONSOR: LAUREL HUMPHREY ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 7/15/19 AGENDA ITEM Trru Resolution expressing Recreation, Trails support and Open Space for King County Proposition 1, the 2020-2025 Parks, Levy C,vric; 0 RY E Dr:taw/on AltgDate El Motion At Date Date Ordinance Ali,g Oak ri Bid Award AN Date E Public Hearing Mt Date Li Other AligDate rl Resolution Mtg Dale SPONSOR Council EMayor jljlHR DCD LjFincin ‘e Fire LIIITS Police LIP17 LlCoeert • P&R SPoNSoR's The proposed resolution would express support for King County Proposition No 1 on the SUMMARY August 6, 2019 Special Election Ballot. This measure would replace the current levy expiring at the end of the year and would result in countywide investments in parks, trails, recreation and open space protection for the benefit of Tukwila and all King County residents. R1NIM1,1) 13Y C.O.W. Mtg. E CDN Comm E Finance Comm. El Public Safety Comm. [1] Trans &Infrastructure E1 Arts Comm. Parks Comm. L1 Planning Comm. DATE: COMMIYI'EE CHAIR: RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR/ADMIN. Commumm: COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE EXPENDITURE, RkQUIRIM AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED $ $ $ Fund Source: Comments: MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION 7/15/19 MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS 7/15/19 Draft resolution Parks Levy FAQs 87 88 Washington Resolution No. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR KING COUNTY PROPOSITION NO. 1, THE 2020- 2025 PARKS, RECREATION, TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE LEVY. WHEREAS, on April 17, 2019, the King County Council approved a measure to renew the property tax levy supporting parks, trails, and open space in King County; and WHEREAS, the measure, which will be on the August 6, 2019 ballot, would replace the current levy that expires at the end of this year; and WHEREAS, the estimated $810 million in revenue generated by the measure will mean county -wide investments in parks, trails, recreation and open space protection for the benefit of all King County residents; and WHEREAS, upon passage of the measure King County parks and trails will be kept clean, safe and open; regional trails and mobility will be improved; open space will grow and be conserved; and recreation will be more accessible; and WHEREAS, on July 15, 2019 the Tukwila City Council accepted comments from the public in consideration of this proposed resolution pursuant to RCW 42.17A.555; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: The Tukwila City Council hereby expresses support for King County Proposition No. 1, the 2020-2025 Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Levy, placed on the ballot for the August 6, 2019 Primary and Special Election, which proposes a six -year $0.1832 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, and urges all eligible Tukwila voters to vote to approve the proposition. W:\Legislative Development\Support for KC Prop No. 1-Parks, Recreation, Trails levy 6-26-19 LH:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Page 1 of 2 89 PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2019. ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk Kathy Hougardy, Council President APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Resolution Number: Rachel B. Turpin, City Attorney W:\Legislative Development\Support for KC Prop No. 1-Parks, Recreation, Trails levy 6-26-19 LH:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Page 2 of 2 90 I- fn LN King County 2020-^2025King County Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Levy Frequently Asked Questions Q:What isthe 3O%O-2O25King County Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Levy? A:The current 2014'2O19Parks Levy will expire atthe end of2O19.The 202O-I025King County Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Levy, approved by the King County Council in April 2019, is a ballot measure that would fund operation and maintenance of King County's parks and trails, support the growth and connection of regional trails, protect open space throughout the county, and establish grant programs ioexpand access to parks, trails and recreation. Proceeds from the levy would also directly support parks in King County's cities, the Woodland Park Zoo and the Seattle Aquarium. CCWhy has this levy been proposed? A: This levy is consistent with the County's practice of not using General Fund monies on parks, trails and open space. King County Parks has not received General Fund support since 2010. The current levy,which isthe primary revenue source for King County Parks' operating and capital budgets, expires at the end of 2019, There are no other sources offunding identified at this time tooperate and maintain King [ounty'sparks, trails and open space system, King County voters approved parks levies three times since 20O3,the first time such ameasure was placed ona CtHow much would the levy cost aKing County homeowner? A: The levy would replace the expiring parks levy and cost about $7.60 per month for the owner of a home valued at $500,000. This is about $2.25 per month more than the current levy rate (in 2019 dollars). It is estimated that oftotal property taxes paid byahomeowner, approximately l.S Zpercent would Ootowards this levy. Q:How much money would the levy generate? It is estimated that the levy will generate about $810 million over the next six years. The effective rate is 18.32 cents per $l,000ofassessed value. CtHow would proceeds from the levy beused? A: This levy would focus onthe following: * Thirty-nine percent ($319 million) would fund operations and maintenance of King County's existing system of2U0 parks, 175 miles ofregional trails, and 28,000 acres of open space. This includes day-to-day operations, as well as repairing and renovating park infrastructure such as play areas and ballfields. * Twenty-four percent ($193 million) would fund grant programs, which aim to make parks and recreation more accessible. [ides, park districts, and non-profit organizations would beeligible to apply, depending on the grant category. This would include support for pools, park and trail capital investments, open space acquisitions, recreation programming, and projects and programs that specifically serve historically underserved communities, including people with disabilities, This would also include direct allocations to cities and towns tosupport their local parks, as well as to regional facilities such as the Woodland Park Zoo and the Seattle Aquarium. • Twenty percent ($166 million) would fund the expansion and connection of regional trails, such as the EastddeRail Corridor Trail and the Lake toSound Trail. * Fifteen percent ($121 million) would fund the protection of open space through acquisition and support recreation opportunities along river corridors. MayZO19 Page 1of3 91 Amap oflevy investments can be found atwww.kingcountygov/parks/|evv. Note: These amounts dnnot total $Dl0million, ososmall amount is set aside for costs associated with undep collection, exemptions, and election costs. Q.What does King County hope toachieve with this levy? A.Similar tothe current levy, King County isseeking to: * Help keep King [ount/sparks and trail clean, safe and open r Make parks and recreation more accessible • Improve regional trails and mobility ° Grow and connect regional open space Q:How does this levy differ from the current one? A: While King County's goals for this levy remain similar to those of the current levy,this levy isdifferent inthat i1 would help address current and future population growth and development of the region. By 2025, King County is expected to add 150,000 new residents, which impacts demand for parks, trails, and recreation programs serving the residents ofKing County and for protection offores |ands,waterqua|ity,andhabitatforfishandwi|d|ife. This levy would also establish grant programs that aim to make parks, recreation, trails, and open space more accessible; cities, park districts, and non-profit organizations serving King County residents would beeligible to apply. It also would establish grant programs that aim toexpand access to parks, trails and recreation among historica|lyunderserved communities and people with disabilities. In addition, the cost of operating and maintaining King County's parks and trails has increased, due to factors such as competitive market conditions, system growth, aging facilities, and inflation, which affects the cost of utilities and other operational costs ofdoing business. Q:Who decided how levy proceeds would 6eused? A: The levy ordinance was approved by the King County Council in April 2019, thereby placing the measure on the August 6, 2019 ballot. The levy was based upon a proposal put forth by King County Executive Dow Constantine, and reflects input gathered through engagement with more than 50 cities and community, recreation, and environmental organizations during the fall of 2018. This engagement process helped King County better understand the region's open space and recreation needs now and in the future and informed its decision to seek another levy as the means tobest meet those needs. Q:Who reviews how levy proceeds are spent and progress onachieving the levy? A: As in past levies, the levy ordinance establishes a Parks Levy Oversight Board, which is appointed by the King County Council and consists of one representative from each of the nine County Council districts. The oversight board would meet annually to review Parks' levy expenditures from the previous year and make recommendations for implementation ofthe levy inthe coming year. Q:What happens ifthe 2U2D-2O2SKing County Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Levy isnot approved? A: The levy would fund about 80 percent of the operations and maintenance of King County's parks, trails, and open space system. This would include the repair or replacement of park facilities, buildings and trail bridges that are near, at, or have exceeded their engineered lifespans. There are no other revenue sources identified at this time for the day'to'dayoperations and maintenance. Q:What isaproperty tax levy lid lift? A: A property tax levy is a tool that local governments can use to generate revenue; the levy collects taxes based onthe assessed value nfsomeone's property. Rules governing the different types oflevies, such aslength and 92 is established by state law, which is currently a one percent growth compared to the prior year's total property taxes collected. D:How are levy proceeds collected? A: Levy proceeds are included in the property tax bill distributed annually by the King County Treasury. King County collects property taxes on behalf of the state, county, cities, and other local taxing districts (such as school and fire disthctz)'and distributes the revenue tothese local entities. Q:Are there special exemptions for people living nnfixed income? A: A new state law adopted in 2018 allows cities and counties to exempt people with qualifying fixed incomes from the tax increase resulting from levy lid lifts (see RCW 84.36.381). This includes people who are seniors with low incomes, disabled veterans with asen/ice-connected disability, and other people who are disabled. This exemption isincluded )nthis levy proposition. Tolearn more, please visit the King County Assessor's website: https://wwvv.kin#county.gov/depis/aoessor/TaxRe|iefasnx Q:How can | learn more? A: To learn more about the King County Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Levy,visit May2019 Page 3 of 3 93