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Home My WebLink AboutWS 2025-10-20 Item 3A - Briefing - 2026-2031 King County Parks Levy & HistoryThomas McLeod, Mayor a11 TO: Thomas McLeod, City of Tukwila Mayor Parks & Recreation Department - Pete Mayer, Director INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM City of Tukwila City Council FROM: Pete Mayer, Parks & Recreation Director BY: David Rosen, Parks & Recreation Analyst DATE: October 8th, 2025 SUBJECT: Staff Update: 2026 — 2031 King County Parks Levy & Parks Levy History TOPIC Parks and Recreation Department staff seek to update the City Council on the upcoming 2026 — 2031 King County Parks Levy, recently approved by voters during the August 2025 election. Staff also seek to provide council an overview of the King County Parks levy's history and its impact on the City of Tukwila parks, trails, and open space system. BACKGROUND The King County Parks Levy is a six -year property tax levy that has been approved/renewed by voters since the original levy was passed in 2007. The 2026 — 2031 Levy represents the fourth six -year levy to be approved by King County voters (2008 — 2013, 2014 — 2019, 2020 — 2025, and 2026 — 2031). The levy's purpose has generally remained the same across its lifetime, to support maintenance, operations, stewardship, and capital projects across King County parks, trails, and open space facilities and provide pass -through and competitive grants funding to various entities and organizations across the county for their parks and recreation system operations and capital projects. DISCUSSION The upcoming 2026 — 2031 King County Parks Levy provides significant opportunities for capital improvements across the City of Tukwila parks, trails, and open space system through increased pass - through funding as well as a variety of secured grants and direct funding allocations. Staff will provide additional information regarding these projects and funding sources in the attached PowerPoint. FINANCIAL IMPACT Item is discussion only. RECOMMENDATION Item is discussion only. ATTACHMENTS A --- Staff PowerPoint Presentation B --- 2026 — 2031 King County Parks Levy Fact Sheet Tukwila City Hall • 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 9818'8 • 206-433'-1800 • ite:: TukwifQWAgav King County Parks Levy Overview & Tukwila's Experience Past and Present, Future Needs TUKWILA PARKS & RECREATION FuN October 20th, 2025 Work Session Key Elements of the King County Parks Levy • 6-year property tax levy (since 2003) • Supports King County Park System • Levy supports 80% of KC Parks costs • Non-competitive pass -through funding for 39 King County cities (25%- $119 million) • Population • Assessed value • Other considerations • Dedicated/direct funding for regional attractions, including Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle Aquarium • Competitive grant programs Reduce Heat Impacts King County releases 5-year Strategic Climate Action Plan Investing $1.45 Billion over 6 years (2026-2031) Supporting 205 parks, 175 miles of regional trails, 32,000 acres of open space, 250 miles of backcountry trails and 150,000 acres of conservation easement w TIMELINE King County Parks and :Recreation Lew History tmegine of key funding rniPestones and achievements far Kira Coanty Parks L&w A Review of the 2020 — 2025 King County Parks Levy Select successful projects across King County as part of the 2020 — 2025 Levy: Dockton Park playground replacement with new ADA-accessible assets Pinnacle Peak Park expanded by 12.25 acres in south King County Completion of new playground, mini soccer pitches, and courts at Skyway Park Connecting the Foothills Trail between Pierce & King counties via a new bridge Supporting the 48,000 square ft. Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion project Supporting Woodland Park Zoo education and conservation efforts 0) The 2026 — 2031 King County Parks Levy at a Glance Orations Maintenance Other Costs 1 improve $ Expand Regional Trei[s SwxIggt ttrn, oogr r toga category_ IntreaW aT SVKL,, per oW per month m.Ixe.020-sots King caufl«xxxxlw ery_4flusehdcl ce-sulafiaa Pa . borne vahle mf _saRkpon. Budge approveda .' King Comty Celt on Apf71 Access & Preservation Grants Amateur sports Grants Tsimate Resilience Grants Passrtnrough to Ciiee, Tows, & Park Districts \\\\ Wood and Part Zoo ,�ti`\\\� Waterfront, ate e onttari;�ru, rial \\-,_ Mnh4tmcr aI Stadium = — Pacific Science Weyernaeucer King t ountg Aquatic Center Climate Resilience_ C -atsn, & Stewardship Acttre R€creat+x Repair n v New Park Development & I roprovements Total Amount: $1.45B More than 2§ ro of levy directly a€Eoceted to cities, towns, park districts, and partners. Major Changes (2020/25 — 2026/31) • $845 mill (2020-25) to $1.45 billion (2026-31) • Doubled local pass -through funding • Expansion of funding for non -profits • New dedicated/directed funding Pass -Through Funding Overview- How Tukwila Has Benefitted 2008 — 2013 2014 — 2019 2020 — 2025 2026 — 2031* Total *Estimated 333 377 1,227 1,783 3,720 Estimated Tukwila cost: $130.65 per year per household (Avg. home value $561,000) Projects supported by the funding include: • Trail Maintenance, Paving, and Trip Hazard Mitigation • Trail & Park Hazardous Tree Removal • Trail Surveys and Topographic analyses • Resurfacing and pavement at various park locations, courts, and facilities • Parks and park facilities furnishings, beautification, and amenities maintenance and replacement • Utilized as offered match funding for multiple grant submittals and awards • Parks, Trails, and Open Space master planning • Business and Recreation Plans co Upcoming Levy Investments in the City of Tukwila Parks and Recreation has secured funding to support multiple capital projects via the 2020 — 2025 and 2026 — 2031 Parks Levies: ••• Grants ♦ ❖ Youth Amateur Sports Grants (TCC and Joseph Foster Turf Fields) — $500,000 ❖ Open Space River Corridors Grant (TCC Riverside Campus) — $1,000,000 ❖ Direct Funding Allocations ❖ TCC Riverside Campus — $1,000,000 ❖ TCC Turf Field Installation — $1,000,000 ❖ General Capital Improvements - $1,000,000 *Conceptual Designs Only- Subject to Change Other Tukwila Beneficiaries of KC Parks Levy Funding $5,000,000 Aquatic Facilities grant to the Tukwila Pool for "Renovation & Expansion" $3,000,000 direct funding allocation to the Starfire Sports Facility via the Community Grants and Partnerships Fund co O Additional CIP Projects Riverton Park Playground Replacement • TCC HVAC Replacement • Tukwila Pond Park Master Plan Crestview Park Playground Replacement S 116th St Parcel Improvements • Crystal Springs Lighting Replacement • Wayfinding Improvements • Crystal Springs Playground • Parks Event Setup Retrofits Replacement *Conceptual Designs Only- Subject to Change Parks Capital Improvement Plan — Project Manager • More capital investment in Tukwila's parks, trails and open space system than in past 13 years • Dedicated project funding from KC Parks Levy is enabling more projects to move forward more quickly than anticipated • Unlike Public Works, Parks has no dedicated project managers $600,000 $500,000 $ 00,000 $300,000 $200,000 $ 400,000 F 26 Cost Comparison. In -House vs. Consultant 54 200 ,07z -House Pr y= t Manager Consultant (tut-- t FE) • Opportunity to reduce costs by internalizing project management and construction administration. • Total Project Manager Estimated Cost (2026): $198,072 N Why Hire a Project Manager Now? • External Funding Success!: Over $6.8M in state and local grant/levy funding for capital projects • Unexpected dedicated funding in KC Parks Levy supporting priority projects enables more projects to be completed • New timing requirements on spending may jeopardize funding if projects aren't completed in 2027 & 2028. • State grant cycle renews in 2026- in-house project management expertise will improve competitive applications • Funded projects exceed current staff capacity GRANTS AWARDED, INCLUDE: • $1,810,000 — State of Washington RCO Water Access Grant • $500,000 — State of Washington RCO Local Parks Grant • $1,000,000 — King County Open Space River Corridors Grant • $500,000 — Youth Amateur Sports Grants • $3,000,000 — King County Parks Levy Direct Funding Parks Project Manager- Funded Exclusively with Capital Funding Sources • KC Park Levy - REET $297,000 per year/avg estimated levy funding (2026-31) • Reliable and steady capital funding forecasted over 6 years • Split funding • 75% parks levy • 25% other capital sources (grants; PIF, REET1) • Parks Project Manager major duties include: • Develops scope, schedule & budget • Develops consultant selection criteria • Administers project specification & bid process • Coordinates permits • Construction administration • Liaison between planners, contractors & city staff • Performs project inspections & ensures compliance to city policies, specifications and safety requirements w The Benefits of In -House Project Management Cost Efficiency: Savings per fiscal year are estimated to be over $300,000 compared to utilizing the same services from outside consulting firms. Continuity: Maintains institutional knowledge across multiple projects, preventing project delays, re -bids, change orders, and/or other project events that can lead to unnecessary and costly delays. Capacity: Enables Management to use more of their time and focus staff resources on other high priority work such as grant development, department administration, program planning, and service delivery. Compliance: Reduces risk by assigning project management subject matter expertise, thereby ensuring projects are compliant with applicable statutes, codes, permits, deadlines, and grant requirements. Accountability: Single point of responsibility for scope, schedule, and budget, optimizing reporting structure and streamlining communications. Logi Scalability: Role is project - contingent; it can be reduced or eliminated if capital workload/funding decreases in future fiscal years and/or biennia. Next Steps & Discussion • Consider staff recommendation to include a 1.0 FTE Parks Project Manager in 2026 Supplemental Budget • Guidance needed for Finance Department in preparing 2026 amendment • Discussion TUKWILA PARKS & RECREATION GOOD HEALTHY FUN IIV August 5, 2025 Primary Election The 2026-2031 King County Parks levy ballot measure is a property tax levy lid lift that would replace the current park levy expiring at the end of 2025. It would fund operations and maintenance of King County's parks and trails, support the growth and connection of regional trails, and provide grant programs to expand access to recreation and protect open space for King County residents. Proceeds from the levy would also directly support parks in King County's cities, towns, and park districts, as well as the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Waterfront Park, and Memorial Stadium. $0.2329 per $1,000 assessed value $16.38 PeR MONTH $2.50 more than current levy for owner of home valued at $844,000 $1.45 BILLION over six years (2026-2031) Operations & Maintenance Other 1% ��1t �h Costs Improve & Expand Regional Trails King County Proposition No. 1 Parks Levy The King County Council adopted Ordinance 19914 replacing the expiring Parks Levy. If approved, this proposition supports county, city, park district, and town parks, open space, and trails; recreation; public pools; and educational and civic venues. It authorizes an additional six -year property tax beginning in 2026 at $0.2329 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, uses the 2026 levy amount to compute annual increases in 2027-2031 by the King County inflation plus population index or chapter 84.55 RCW limitation, whichever is greater, and exempts qualifying seniors, veterans, and disabled persons under RCW 84.36.381. a' Aquatics Capital Grants Healthy Communities and Parks Fund Community Partnerships & Grants Ballfield Access & Preservation Grants Youth & Amateur Sports Grants Climate Resilience Grants ��t>1l>l/ffl11y,1�� $16.38 Per household per month 100 000011111111111100111111 Pass -through to Cities, Towns, & Park Districts A. Woodland Park Zoo //i� Seattle Aquarium, Waterfront, & �� n�/, Memorial Stadium 111FP:cScience //p��ii PaicSciencellllffff��lliiiii Center Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center Climate Resilience, Conservation, & Stewardship Active Recreation Repair & Renovation New Park Development & Improvements 17 !AT KING COUNTY PARKS LevY - — • = • SHORELINE BOTHELL WOODINVILLE SEATTLE BURIEN • LeGeND Backcountry Trail + Forestry Bridge & Trestle REDMOND BELLEVUE MERCER ISLAND SKYWAY TUKWILA • SEATAC DES MOINESe 84uw!fd VUNW00 Existing Regional Trail Fish Passage Forestry 21( :AUBURN • • • . Infrastructure Rehab Regional Trail Improvement Play Area . Site with Major Capital Investment Synthetic Turf Replacement • DUVALL SAMMAMISH ISSAQUAH • • • BLACK DIAMOND 7 CARNATION SNOQUALMIE NORTH BEND Al King County PARKS Your Big Backyard For visualization purposes only - locations and details are approximate. • • I. • Pacific Science fl Center & Memorial Stadium • • • • • Seattle Aquarium & Waterfront Park • Woodland Park Zoo 651 tOP .nmwryp� ti�N �NV Hinnonrom "V! MnIt Illlllllli' A '�;N mm�nf iM�m��m�mm�ml� mill OnniumiNikiliblirmum.rmaintom mIm i wuu 1 King County Parks Levy Oversight Board The levy ordinance would continue the nine -member Levy Oversight Board, nominated by King County Council and confirmed by the King County Executive. The board will meet annually to review levy expenditures and report on progress towards levy implementation. Ai a, opals 11 IIII 1 L41 King County o k ��1 i//uNJ Ili d iui mob uui+ )111111 i� ��li�itip ill o{ //%, i�t( fii �� i lllllli�»» O Your Big Backyard King County Parks 201 S Jackson St., Ste. 6500 Seattle WA 98104 206-477-4527 parksinfo@kingcounty.gov ��11��11111��'�IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIV .ono„ 111111111,11 About King County Parks The mission of King County Parks is to steward, enhance and acquire parks to inspire healthy communities. King County Parks preserves and cares for outdoor spaces, providing places to connect with family, friends, and nature. With hundreds of parks, trails, and natural areas, there's something for everyone in Your Big Backyard. 19