Voters decide to raise property taxes to fund more of Metro Parks Tacoma programs, upkeep

Voters on Tuesday were approving Proposition 1, which would restore a Metro Parks Tacoma levy to support its parks and recreation maintenance and operations.

More than 62 percent of voters approved the proposition.

Rosemary Ponnekanti, Metro Parks Tacoma’s spokesperson, said Tuesday night that the results are a vote of confidence for Metro Parks. During community engagement sessions, staff heard loud and clear that safety and security, maintenance and keeping programs for children and before- and after-child care were priorities, and the restored levy will enable Metro Parks to give the community what they want, she said. Once the vote is finalized, Metro Parks will complete its budget with the impacts of the levy lid lift, Ponnekanti added.

The multi-year park and recreation maintenance and operations levy lid lift allows for an increase in the Metro Parks district’s regular property tax levy from 46 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation to 75 cents per $1,000.

Restoring the levy would cost property owners an average of an additional $11.91 per month, compared to this year.

The estimated total income from the restored levy rate would be $10 million to $11 million per year for the next biennium budget.

The Metro Parks levy lift would fund operations and maintenance of parks, playgrounds, sport fields, community centers and zoos and would fund safety and security improvements, wildfire prevention, open space preservation and youth and teen programs.

The levy lift is effective for six years, and the higher rate would begin Jan. 1. Property owners in the Park District boundary, which includes all of the city of Tacoma and the unincorporated areas around Browns Point and Northeast Tacoma, would see an increase in their property taxes.

Park district voters previously approved a 75 cents per $1,000 levy lift in 2010, which has decreased since 2016.

The levy would support the development of new Park Ranger program to enhance security and good behavior in the parks, improvements to lighting, security and alarm systems, inspections, maintenance and repairs of spraygrounds, pools, plumbing, heating and ventilation systems, and routine cleaning and sanitation of park restrooms, community centers and other public facilities.

It would also support the care and cleaning of more than 70 parks and maintenance of nearly 80 miles of trails. It would fund affordable and accessible before- and after-school care, clubs, sports and activities through the Beyond the Bell and Club Beyond community partnership at Tacoma Public Schools and free 18-and-under youth memberships at all community centers. The levy would also go toward forest protection, which includes stewarding the care of approximately 30 percent of Tacoma’s tree canopy and managing a volunteer program to maintain forest health.

This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 8:40 PM.