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Kitsap County Board of Commissioners
Proposition No. 1 - Election To Authorize Increase In Regular Property Tax Levy
Official Ballot Title
Proposition No. 1 concerns increasing the regular property tax levy limit. As authorized by chapter 84.55 RCW and Resolution No. 159-2002, this proposition would authorize the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners to exceed the regular property tax levy limit by not more than $.075 (seven and one half cents) per $1,000 of assessed valuation to restore funding for county services that would otherwise be eliminated in the 2003-04 biennium. Should this proposition be enacted into law?
Explanatory Statement
The law as it presently exists: Property taxes are levied each year on all taxable property in Kitsap County. Property tax is limited in several ways. First, state law limits the aggregate of all state and local tax levies on any piece of property, generally to a total of 1% of the property’s true and fair value. Second, existing law limits the amount a regular tax levy can be increased over the amount levied and collected in previous years. These limitations on tax increases do not apply to increases in property value attributable to new construction, or to voter-approved levies.
The limitation factor that applies to the legislative authority of Kitsap County is the lower of 101% of the highest of the three previous annual levies or the previous year’s inflation rate. If the inflation rate is less than 1%, the County may increase its levy to the 101% level.
The Board of Commissioners may exceed the 101% limit if the increase is approved by a majority of voters voting on the measure at an election.
The effect of the proposed measure, if it becomes law: The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners has adopted Resolution No. 159-2002, submitting for approval or rejection by the voters an increase in the regular property tax by not more than $.075 (7 1/2 cents) per $1000 of assessed property value. If the measure is approved, the 101% property tax limitation factor will be increased by 7 1/2 cents per $1000 of assessed property value to restore funding for services that would otherwise be eliminated. The services that will be restored if the measure passes are listed in the following table.
Department Item Funding
District Court 1 Probation Officer ............................................. $ 60,000
1 Court Clerk (Poulsbo) ................................................................. $ 50,000
Prosecutor 3 Deputy Prosecutors ................................................$. 273,000
Treasurer 1 Clerk (Silverdale Office) ............................................$ 30,000
Community Development Poulsbo Office Funding ....................... 35,000
1 Planner (Silverdale Office) ............................................................. 70,000
General Government Internal Auditor ........................................... 75,000
County Contribution to Public Health District .............................. 64,270
Economic Development .................................................................... 25,000
Youth Risk Prevention ..................................................................... 60,000
Juvenile 1 Detention Officer ............................................................ 61,000
1 Probation Officer ............................................................................ 50,000
Parks Park Capital Facilities Maintenance ................................ 200,000
3.5 FTE Maintenance Workers ................................................... 150,000
Total General Fund ................................................................ $ 1,203,270
Statement For the Measure:
Vote to restore funding for specific County services
Approving this measure raises property taxes by 7.5 cents per $1,000 ($15.00 annually for a $200,000 home) and restores essential services to 2002 levels by providing $494,000 for crime prosecution, District and Juvenile Court probation and Juvenile detention personnel, $350,000 for ball fields and park maintenance, and $359,000 for activities, which include maintaining satellite (Poulsbo and Silverdale) offices, providing youth at risk prevention and public health services, and promoting economic development.
Impact of non-passage on public safety
Although deputy sheriffs were retained in the budget, if this measure does not pass a shortage of prosecutors will result in fewer criminal prosecutions, leaving more criminals on the street. Current standards for prosecution of sexual assault, domestic violence, and drug crime won’t be maintained, and there will be fewer prosecutions of drunk drivers. County ball fields will not be maintained at current levels -less mowing, fewer dollars for repairs.
County has made cuts in the millions regardless of the outcome of this issue
After Initiative-747, the 2003 General Fund budget has a $5.5 million shortfall. The budget was cut over $5 million from the 2002 budget base. This measure would restore $1.2 million in essential public safety and parks services and, even if the measure passes, the County will still have a reduction of $3.5 million.
Rebuttal to the Statement Against
The opponent is wrong on facts. The proposition clearly specifies how funds will be spent. Of employees added since 1999, 91 went to law and justice functions (deputies, prosecution, jails, and courts). In 2003, 39 positions will be eliminated regardless of the outcome of this levy. Vote yes to keep Poulsbo and Silverdale satellite offices open, ball fields maintained, and criminals off the street.
Statement prepared by: Jim Adrian, Steve Boyer, and Russell Hauge. Further questions may be answered by calling (360) 373-9146.
Statement Against the Measure:
Two years ago, county had a 17 million dollar surplus. The commissioners "balanced" the budget by spending this surplus! For what? These past four years county inflated staff by 120 more. 30 people were added to the planning department; twice the number of Sheriffs deputies. Why? Kitsap families’ limited budgets must place basics like food health and housing first. Some 7000 local families lost their jobs in 2001 and many are still unemployed.
This tax increase will yield $1.2 million the first year and the proposition does not specify how long this new lid lift to I-747 will remain in effect. One year? Six years? This measure is vague and irresponsible. It does not specify how the money will be spent and for how long the additional taxes will be collected. It is another blank check!
The county general budget has inflated from 46 to 73 million while the surplus was spent. This is an issue of simple management not tax increases. Vote for fiscal responsibility and truth in government! Vote No on this tax increase!
Rebuttal to the Statement For
The truth is that the county had a $17 million surplus in 2000 that was deliberately spent in the 2001 and 2002 budgets! Taxpayers need to ask, "For what?" Did the commissioners spend our surplus rainy day fund? Why didn’t they engage in fiscal restraint in 2001 and 2002? Are satellite offices necessary?
Kitsap’s population remained stagnant since 1997. The general budget has grown 46 to 73 million in the past 3 years. Vote NO!
Statement prepared by: Citizens for trust in government: Ayvon Card, Don Diehl and John Norris, members. Further questions may be answered by calling (360) 871-7383.