As we enter the Halloween season, I have come to the conclusion that Proposition 1 is full of tricks. The facts – trick 1: Proposition 1, the formation of a Metropolitan Park District (MPD) provides up to a 50 percent increase in city of Kirkland tax levy rate (75 cents per $1,000 of taxable property value) in addition to the current city levy rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value. Don’t be misled by the advocates of this proposition that the start rate will be 25 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, as the costs of acquiring property and constructing the ARC [Aquatics, Recreation and Community center] building are unknown. MPD’s are a regressive form of taxation.
Trick 2: The proponents of Proposition 1 advertise that the operating costs of the ARC will be covered by user fees. The ARC will be costly to operate: City employees will be covered under increasingly expensive labor agreements in addition to the high cost of maintaining swimming pools and exercise equipment. The experts cite that ARC user fees do not cover operating costs. The MPD allows for funding of ARC operating costs in the event user fees don’t cover costs. Who pays for any deficiency? All property owners and the majority of residences will not use the ARC. Is it fair taxation policy to subsidize users?
Trick 3: What started out as a swimming pool replacement for the Juanita High School pool has turned into a large and costly ARC disguised and funded under a MPD. Under Proposition 1, taxation and project control is vested in the MPD Board of Park Commissioners (city council members). The Commissioners set the MPD annual tax levy rate and have full control over future park and recreation decisions all paid by property owners without a vote. Don’t be misled by the proponent’s statements that voters will have advisory authority over tax levy rate increase as the MPD grants full authority to the park commissioners.
I would submit that the proposed MPD is not in the best interest of property owners and is not fair public policy. Read or search under the web RCW 35.61 Metropolitan Park District.
Halloween is best celebrated with a treat. Proposition 1 deserves a no vote.
Doug Sollitt, Kirkland
