The Municipal League of King County
Supports
King County Parks Operating and Enhancement Levies
August 21, 2007 Primary Ballot
SUMMARY
King County is requesting voters approve two companion levies for the regional parks and recreation
system, comprising 180 parks, 175 miles of trails and 25,000 acres. One is an operating and maintenance
(O&M) levy, the other an enhancement levy. Each is a 6-year levy at 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed
property value. The O&M levy provides funding to retain current levels of support and maintenance
and to restore funding to pre-2002 levels when the Parks Division budget was cut by about one-third.
The enhancement levy provides 3 cents for expanding open space and trails countywide, 1 cent to be
allocated to cities for their parks and open space projects, and 1 cent to Woodland Park Zoo for
conservation and educations programs. A typical $420,000 house would be assessed $21 per year for
each levy, or $42 if both levies pass.
The levies are based on the recommendations of the Parks Futures Task Force and assume additional
revenues from the real estate excise tax (REET) and other revenues from user fees, naming rights and
leases. The last parks levy is currently providing 57% of the County operating budget for the Parks
and Recreation Division. Business revenues are generating 20%, the general fund 13% and the REET 6%.
As annexations and incorporations of remaining unincorporated areas in the County proceed in the next
three to five years, the assessed property base and REET revenues will continue to decline.
The King County Parks Division has undergone a significant transition in the past four years.
The mission of the division has been refocused on regional open space and trails; many urban parks and
recreational facilities have been transferred to cities and non-profit organizations. The County today
operates fewer parks with a smaller staff and smaller budget.
The spending of levy funds will be reviewed by an appointed Citizen Oversight Board, as was the case with
the levy authorized in 2003. The board found that proceeds from the last levy were spent as authorized.
ARGUMENTS FOR THE MEASURE
Proponents of the levies argue that:
- Regional open space, parks, trails and recreational facilities operated by the King County
Parks Division contribute significantly to the quality of life in our region.
- The King County budget crisis of 2002, caused by the economic recession, Initiative 747,
and increasing mandates to fund criminal justice, required severe cuts to the Parks Division.
Budget and staff were reduced by about one-third. The Parks operation and maintenance levy
approved by voters in 2003 replaced some of the funding cuts, but maintenance levels were never
fully restored.
- The 2007 proposed levies would restore maintenance funding to pre-2002 budget crisis levels as
well as provide funding for acquisition of new open space in the County and cities and programming
for the Woodland Park Zoo.
- Open spaces and parks are an important element of the region’s growth strategy. As the population
continues to grow, green spaces are needed to balance the urban and suburban growth areas, protect
water quality and enhance the environment.
- The 2003 levy now generates close to 60% of the Parks Division’s operation and maintenance budget.
If the levy is not renewed, some parks will have to be closed and maintenance levels for the remainder
further curtailed.
- The County has made a very good effort in the last four years to develop new entrepreneurial revenue
sources for parks. These new sources now pay for 20% of the Parks Division budget.
- The County has also worked to focus its parks on regional open space and to transfer local urban
facilities to cities and non-profit organizations. A variety of strategies have thus moved the parks
system closer to a self-sustaining model.
- There is no better time than now to acquire additional open space, before it is overtaken by development
and before rising property values make acquisition infeasible.
- In its previous parks levy, the County employed a Citizen Oversight Board to review the levy spending
and assure citizens of adherence to the levy ordinance. The current levies also propose to use a
Citizen Oversight Board.
- The 5 cent levy for maintenance and the additional 5 cent levy for enhancements to the region’s parks
and trails are modest assessments in light of the significant benefits created.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE MEASURE
The League was unable to identify any organized opposition to the levy proposals, but developed the following
potential arguments against the measures:
- King County’s revenues have rebounded as a result of the recent strong economy and increased property values.
While a parks levy may have been needed in the past, the 2002 budget crisis has passed, and operation and
maintenance of the parks should once again be a general fund expenditure.
- By transferring eight pools and over 20 park sites in the last four years, the County’s asset base and
operation and maintenance costs have been substantially reduced. Moreover, although the remaining open space
requires less maintenance, there is no evidence that County government has reduced the Parks Division’s O&M budget.
- Short-term levies will cause County government to become addicted to outside funding for a basic function that the
County should be working to reincorporate into the general fund.
- More entrepreneurial revenue could be generated by allowing more food and vendor concessions to operate in the parks.
- Many new developments on the edges of the urban growth boundary are already incorporating ample open space, trails,
golf courses and recreational facilities in their plans. The private sector is thus contributing significantly
to the acquisition of new green spaces.
- The benefits of the County parks system and its natural resources are primarily available and convenient to suburban
communities and citizens in outlying parts of the County. Residents of Seattle already pay a Seattle parks levy and
generally use city parks and facilities.
- Placing these parks levy proposals on the primary ballot is an attempt to get out ahead of the region’s much more
critical priority, the transportation ballot, which will go before voters in November.
POSITION and RATIONALE
The Municipal League of King County recommends voting FOR the 2007 King County Park Levies.
While we generally have concerns about relying on levies to fund basic governmental functions, we understand
the fiscal constraints faced by County government and believe the levy proposals are modest requests. We support the
environmental and quality-of-life benefits of well-maintained open spaces and recreational facilities, and expect that
the levies, if passed, will contribute to real improvements to our region’s green spaces. As population growth continues
and property values keep rising, our natural resources become more and more valuable and deserve our support.
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