By JC Medina
The Lacey Parks, Culture and Recreation Board discussed the upcoming Metropolitan Park District (MPD) ballot measure at its May 7 meeting, providing details about the Aug. 5 election proposition that could impact the city's parks and recreational services.
The proposed MPD would be a junior property taxing district authorized to manage, control, improve, maintain and acquire parks, parkways, boulevards, recreational facilities, programs and services.
If approved, the city council would serve as the MPD board, maintaining the current parks board's advisory role.
The measure also calls for a tax rate of up to $0.45 per $1,000 of assessed property value. For example: At the full rate of $0.45, a property assessed at $500,000 would result in an annual cost of $225, or approximately $18.75 per month.
According to the city staff report, MPD funds would be prioritized to add “new park features requested by the community, maintain parks and park facilities and support recreational programs.”
Jennifer Burbidge, Parks Director, outlined a comprehensive communication strategy to inform voters.
"We have formed the public facing information from that plan," Burbidge said.
The city has created a dedicated
web page and will distribute informational flyers at community events, with one mailer planned for July 9.
The board emphasized strict guidelines about discussing the ballot measure.
"State law prohibits the use of public facilities to promote or oppose any ballot measure," Burbidge noted.
Public comments for or against the MPD will not be accepted at city meetings. Ballots will be mailed to voters on July 16, with the election set for Aug 5.
JulesJames
Parks are a core responsibility on municipal government. Creating a "Special Taxing District" so that parks can be funded through its own special silo is flat-out bad governance. Cut stuff or raise taxes yourself -- don't go playing the voters to "vote for parks" while general fund money is used for the stuff that needs cutting.
Tuesday, May 13 Report this
BobJacobs
Both Olympia and Tumwater have found it necessary to establish Metropolitan Parks Districts to provide the kind and amount of parks and recreation facilities that their residents consider necessary for a good quality of life.
Both of those MPDs were voted in by significant majorities of their residents.
Let us hope that Lacey follows suit.
Please note that all local parks and recreation facilities and programs are available to everyone regardless where they live.
Bob Jacobs
Wednesday, May 14 Report this