Measure Information - King County

November 4, 2008 General Election

Finn Hill Park and Recreation District

60% yes vote and a minimum yes vote of 1,067 (RCW 36.69.145).

Proposition No. 1
Six-Year Regular Property Tax Levy

Shall the Finn Hill Park and Recreation District be authorized to impose regular property tax levies of $.060 or less per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for each of six (6) consecutive years?

YES
NO

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

This proposal of the Board of Commissioners of Finn Hill Park and Recreational District is for voter approval of a tax levy of $.06 per thousand dollar of assessed value of property in the District for each of six consecutive years to fund the District’s operation and maintenance of O.O. Denny Park. In November of 2002, voters formed the District to take over management of O.O. Denny Park and authorized a six-year tax levy of $.0725 per thousand dollars of assessed value to fund its operation. The proposed new levy rate is lower than the first voter-approved levy, because the Board of Commissioners has been able to operate the park at a lower cost than originally projected. The six-year levy approved by the voters in 2002 will expire, and the proposed tax levy is intended to provide the revenue for the continued operation of the District.

Statement For

Once the country estate of Seattle pioneer Orion O. Denny, O.O. Denny Park is one of the area’s best-kept secrets. The park, on the eastern shores of Lake Washington, is also a slice of suburban serenity area residents can take pride in having saved.

Owned by the City of Seattle, it was maintained by King County until budget shortfalls in 2001 forced its closure. In 2002, neighbors stepped in to fund the Finn Hill Park and Recreation District, which took over maintenance, security, and capital improvements.

That six-year authorization is set to expire unless residents renew the levy with their votes. They can, at a cost less than the original levy. Park commissioners are asking just $.060 per $1000 assessed value compared to the previous rate of $.0725 [At about $24 per year for a typical homeowner with a house assessed at $400,000, that’s comparable to two delivery pizzas]. That small investment will keep the park from possibly being sold for development (an option that could occur if the park closes, due to a clause in the Denny will.) Budget-strapped Seattle and King County won’t rescue it. Area citizens are our only hope of preserving this treasure.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Jeff Hoerth, Patti Anderson, Francesca Lyman

Statement Against

No Statement Submitted.

Complete Text of Resolution

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF FINN HILL PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT

CALLING FOR ELECTION ON A SIX-YEAR REGULAR

PROPERTY TAX LEVY

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Finn Hill Park and Recreation

District finds that a six-year regular property tax levy of $.060 per thousand dollars of assessed value of property in the District is necessary to fund the anticipated operating costs of the District; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.69.145 the Board of Commissioners wishes to submit a ballot proposition to the voters at the election on November 4, 2008 for approval of said six-year regular property tax levy;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of Finn Hill Park and Recreation District as follows:

1. An election within the District is hereby called for November 4, 2008 for the purpose of submitting to the voters a ballot proposition for approval of a six-year regular tax levy at the rate specified in section 2 below.

2. The King County Department of Elections is hereby requested to submit the following proposition to the voters within Finn Hill Park and Recreation District at the election on November 4, 2008:

Shall the Finn Hill Park and Recreation District be authorized to impose regular tax levies of $.060 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for each of six (6) consecutive years.
Yes _____
No _____

Adopted at the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners on August 5, 2008.

Frank Radford (signed)
Rick Smith (signed)
Leigh Readdy (signed)
Kristen Lloyd (signed)
Christopher Johnson (unsigned)

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