Islanders’ ballots for the King County Primary and Special Election need to be postmarked or returned to a ballot dropbox by Aug. 6.

Local ballots include only four items: the King County Parks levy, representation on the King County Council and two commissioner races for Port of Seattle.

The levy vote — a renewal and replacement for King County parks, not the Vashon Park District — will extend the current levy beyond its expiration on Dec. 31.

The levy would cost county residents about 18 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. For the owner of a home valued at $500,000, that is about $7.60 per month, approximately $2 more than they currently pay, county officials say. County-wide, the levy is expected to generate $738 million over the next six years to expand and connect regional trails, improve access to green space and recreation and keep the county’s parks and trails clean, safe and open.

On Vashon-Maury islands, potential levy-funded projects include:

• Rehabilitating the dock and play area at Dockton Park;

• Improving natural surface trails at Island Center Forest and elsewhere;

• Protecting open space and important shoreline and salmon habitat:

• Continuing the Community Partnerships and Grants program, which has funded several community-driven projects in King County Parks properties on Vashon-Maury Island, including the mountain bike trails at Dockton.

About 80 percent of King County Parks’ operational budget is funded by levy dollars.

In the King County Council race, Joe McDermott, current council chair, is running for re-election; his opponents are Michael Neher and the perennial candidate, Goodspaceguy.

— Susan Riemer