Hello Vashon, it’s time to renew our levy and we want to make sure that voters have all the information they need to vote in the upcoming election.

Vashon Park District Executive Director Elaine Ott-Rocheford’s op-ed in the March 30 issue of The Beachcomber described in detail why it is so important for islanders to vote on the upcoming Vashon Park District operation and maintenance levy.

The ballots have now been delivered to your homes and they are due to the county by 8 p.m. on April 25. Here are the essential points we feel voters should be aware of.

Essential Parks and Programs

Vashon has a legacy of shared important public lands under the stewardship of Vashon Park District, King County Parks, and the Land Trust. Each brings its own opportunities for the enrichment of Island living. Of these public lands and facilities, the Vashon Park District’s unique properties and programs provide the backbone of recreation on the Island — including the island’s pool, the skate park, equestrian park, athletic fields, ski school, sailing camp, the Concerts in the Park series, disc golf, shared use of school gyms, fields and classrooms, Lisabuela Park, Ober Park, Point Robinson Park, and so many more.

The Park District is mostly funded by this levy

It is nearly the sole source of funding for the maintenance and operation of the district’s programs and facilities, including staffing. The only other funding is the roughly 7% that user fees provide. The levy comes up for vote every 4 years.

Without this levy funding, VPD facilities will have to close

Programs will end, facility scheduling cannot continue, and staff members will lose their jobs. Furthermore, our other source of funding, user fees, will no longer be collected.

VPD’s major capital projects are funded with grants

Maintenance and repair projects such as the Tramp Harbor Dock replacement, pool improvements and BARC improvements are generally funded from grants and donations, not levy monies, and these sources of funding will not raise property taxes.

King County Parks will not step in if the levy doesn’t pass

The Vashon Parks District is not part of King County Parks. King County Parks has made it clear that they will not provide funding to keep our parks open if VPD levy funding disappears.

We’re keeping the rate low

In 2020, VPD reduced the levy rate from $0.50 per $1,000 assessed value to $0.45 per $1,000. This amounts to about $360/year for a home assessed at $800,000. The levy on this ballot continues the reduced $0.45 rate.

We recognize that due to the recent rise in property values, property taxes in general have increased, which means our funding has increased as a result. Our analysis tells us that this increase is necessary. The Park District has been affected by the same cost increases that we all have experienced — the cost of labor, materials, and services we pay for have all increased. Continuing the $0.45 rate will allow the Park District to balance the inflationary pressures it is facing while continuing to meet its obligations to the community through this levy cycle.

Our aim as your Park Board is to continue the legacy of our parks — to keep our parks maintained, safe, and inviting as well as to provide the best outdoor recreation opportunities possible. Levies make it all possible.

Please make sure your ballots are in the drop box by 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, or postmarked by that day.

Thank you.

Sarah George and Bob McMahon are Vashon Park District commissioners.