Filing period to open Monday for UP Park District commission candidates
The filing period will open next week for University Place residents interested in running for one of the Metropolitan Park District commissioner positions.
Filing will be open from Monday to Feb. 26.
Commissioners will be elected during the April 26 special election, which is also when UP voters will be asked to decide whether to form the junior taxing district.
Supporters want to create a tax district to generate money to maintain the city’s recreation programs.
The UP City Council has said it will not fund its popular recreation system next year. The city will maintain control of its park property.
Park District supporters have proposed a five-member commission, elected by UP voters, to operate the district. Once elected, the commissioners would determine the tax collection amount.
Park districts can collect a maximum 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed value of property.
People who want to be commissioners must file during the filing period and must file for a specific positions. They also must live within the city limits and be registered to vote at the time of filing.
Once a filing has been approved, the candidate will receive an email with a link to submit a voter pamphlet statement and a photo. The statement and photo must be submitted online no later than 4:30 p.m. March 2.
If UP voters don’t approve the Park District, the election of park commissioners will be void.
Brynn Grimley: 253-597-8467, @bgrimley
If you want to run
File online at PierceCountyElections.org. The online period will open at 9 a.m. Monday and close at 4 p.m. Feb. 26.
File in person at the Pierce County Election Center, 2501 S. 35th St., Suite C. The in-person filing period will open Monday and end at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 26.
This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 12:41 PM with the headline "Filing period to open Monday for UP Park District commission candidates."