HomeMy WebLinkAboutKing County Parks Property Tax Levy Agenda Bill1
SUBJECT/TITLE:King County Parks Property Tax Levy Agreement - Proposition I
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Refer to Finance Committee
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation Services
STAFF CONTACT: John Rupp, Parks and Trails Director
EXT.: 6606
Receipt of levy proceeds commencing in 2026 and extending through 2031 from the voter-approved
King County Proposition 1 Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Property Tax Levy. The levy
authorizes a property tax of up to $0.2329 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in the first year, with
annual adjustments in years two through six based on the King County inflation plus population index,
or the chapter 84.55 RCW limitation, whichever is greater.
The City of Renton is eligible to receive:
Annual levy distributions as part of the ten percent (10%) of total levy proceeds dedicated to
towns, cities, and eligible park districts; and
A one-time municipal parks capital and open space pass-through allocation of $1,950,000 during
the levy period.
Levy funds will be distributed by King County in accordance with the executed levy agreement. Funds
will be accounted for in the Capital Improvement Fund (Fund 316) and tracked separately from prior
Proposition 1 levy revenues. King County will retain a portion of levy proceeds to cover administrative
costs associated with levy distribution and oversight.
On August 5, 2025, King County voters approved Proposition 1, authorizing a six-year Parks, Recreation,
Trails, and Open Space Property Tax Levy to replace the expiring 2020 - 2025 levy. The levy supports
the maintenance and operation of King County’s open space system; acquisition and development of
parks, recreation facilities, and regional trails; improvements to parks and trails in local jurisdictions;
environmental education and conservation programs at the Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle Aquarium;
programming and maintenance at Seattle’s Waterfront Park; environmental and climate stewardship at
the Pacific Science Center; a capital project at Memorial Stadium; and capital improvements at publicly
owned pools.
City Council Regular Meeting
FISCAL IMPACT SUMMARY:
SUMMARY OF ACTION
2
The levy begins collections in 2026 and includes direct distributions to towns and cities for local parks
system operations and capital improvement projects. Ten percent (10%) of total levy proceeds are
dedicated to annual distributions to cities, based on a formula that includes base allocations,
population thresholds, population share, and assessed valuation. In addition, the levy provides a one-
time municipal parks capital and open space pass-through distribution, under which the City of Renton
is allocated $1,950,000.
King County will deduct an administrative fee related to the distribution and oversight of levy proceeds.
The levy agreement between the City and King County facilitates the transfer of levy funds and
establishes the terms and conditions for managing and expending levy revenues, including annual
reporting requirements. As with the previous Levy, the City is required to notify King County Parks and
the King County Council at least 30 days in advance of major project milestones, such as
groundbreakings and facility opening dates.
Levy distributions received by the City will be deposited in the Capital Improvement Fund (Fund 316)
and tracked separately from prior Proposition 1 levy funds.
Approve the parks Property Tax Levy Agreement with King County, authorize the Mayor and City Clerk
to sign the agreements, and adjust the budget as described.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Ruth Pérez, Council President
Members of Renton City Council
VIA: Armondo Pavone, Mayor
FROM: Maryjane Van Cleave, Administrator
STAFF CONTACT: John Rupp, Parks and Trails Director (x6606)
SUBJECT: King County Parks Property Tax Levy Agreement – Prop 1
ISSUE:
Should the City enter into an agreement with King County to receive Proposition 1, Special
Parks Property Tax Levy Funds for the 2026–2031 levy period? Should the Capital
Improvement Fund (Fund 316) be adjusted to reflect receipt of the Levy Funds?
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council authorizes the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute the Special Property Tax
Levy Agreement with King County for the 2026–2031 Proposition 1 Parks Levy. Adjust the
budget (Fund 316) as described.
BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
On August 5, 2025, King County voters approved Proposition 1, a six-year Parks, Recreation,
Trails, and Open Space Property Tax Levy to replace the expiring 2020–2025 levy. The levy
authorizes a regular property tax levy beginning in 2026 at a rate of up to $0.2329 per $1,000
of assessed valuation. Annual levy increases in years two through six are limited by the King
County inflation plus population index published by the King County Office of Economic
and Financial Analysis, or the chapter 84.55 RCW limitation, whichever is greater.
The purpose of the levy is to support:
Ruth Pérez, Council President, Members of Renton City Council
Page 2 of 4
February 3, 2026
• Maintaining and operating King County’s open space system;
• Improving parks, recreation, access, and mobility throughout King County by
acquiring land and developing and supporting parks, recreation facilities, and
regional trails;
• Improving parks and trails in, and acquiring land by, metropolitan parks districts,
towns, and cities in King County;
• Funding environmental education, maintenance, and conservation programs at the
Woodland Park Zoo;
• Funding environmental education, maintenance, and conservation programs at the
Seattle Aquarium;
• Funding development, maintenance, and programming at Seattle’s Waterfront Park;
• Funding environmental and climate stewardship and education at the Pacific
Science Center;
• Funding a capital project at Memorial Stadium; and
• Funding capital improvements at publicly owned pools.
This 2026–2031 levy is the fifth voter-approved King County parks levy. Previous levies were
approved in 2003, 2007, 2013, and 2019. The 2020–2025 levy expires December 31, 2025.
ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
Under the 2026–2031 Proposition 1 levy, a portion of levy proceeds is distributed annually
to towns, cities, and certain metropolitan park districts for local parks system operations
and capital improvement projects.
Ten percent (10%) of total levy proceeds are dedicated to these annual distributions. The
allocation methodology is as follows:
• A base distribution of $75,000 annually to each town and city, and to designated
park districts serving unincorporated King County;
• An additional $50,000 annually to each town and city with a population greater than
4,000;
• Of the remaining funds:
o 60% distributed proportionally based on population; and
o 40% distributed proportionally based on assessed valuation.
In addition, the levy includes a one-time municipal parks capital and open space pass-
through distribution totaling $25,025,000, with fixed amounts assigned to each city based
on 2025 population and presence of opportunity areas. Under this distribution, the City of
Renton is allocated $1,950,000 over the levy period.
Ruth Pérez, Council President, Members of Renton City Council
Page 3 of 4
February 3, 2026
ALLOWABLE EXPENDITURES
Levy funds received by the City may be used for town or city parks system operations and
capital improvement projects, including but not limited to:
• Acquisition of open space, natural areas, and urban green spaces;
• Capital projects for active recreational uses (e.g., athletic fields, sports courts);
• Capital projects for passive recreational uses (e.g., trails, habitat restoration,
nature-based recreation);
• Capital projects for local and regional trail development and connections;
• Capital improvements and major maintenance, repair, or replacement of parks and
recreation infrastructure; and
• Other eligible capital projects within City-owned or City-operated parks and
recreational facilities.
Levy proceeds may not supplant existing funding but may be pooled across multiple years.
ADMINISTRATION AND REPORTING
King County will retain a portion of levy proceeds for administrative costs related to
distribution and oversight. Funds will be distributed to the City on a regular schedule as
established in the levy agreement.
The City will be required to enter into this formal agreement with King County prior to
receiving levy funds. The agreement specifies eligible uses, reporting requirements, and
compliance provisions.
On or before May 31 of each year during the term of the agreement, the City must submit an
annual report to King County documenting levy-funded expenditures and progress toward
project completion. Levy proceeds will be accounted for in the Capital Improvement Fund
(316), separate from prior Proposition 1 levy funds.
CONCLUSION:
King County voters approved a six-year Special Property Tax Levy to continue and expand
investment in parks, recreation, trails, and open space beginning in 2026. The levy provides
ongoing operational and capital funding for county and city park systems, as well as
targeted investments in environmental education, recreation facilities, and public
amenities.
Ruth Pérez, Council President, Members of Renton City Council
Page 4 of 4
February 3, 2026
Levy proceeds will support City park system operations and capital improvement projects
and will be accounted for in the Capital Improvement Fund (316). Approval of the proposed
agreement enables the City to receive and use these funds in accordance with voter-
approved purposes.
PARKS PROPERTY TAX LEVY AGREEMENT
between
KING COUNTY & CITY OF RENTON
This Parks Property Tax Levy Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered by and between
KING COUNTY, a political subdivision of the state of Washington (the “County”) and the City of
Renton, a State of Washington municipal corporation ("CITY”). The County and the City are
singularly referred to as a “Party” and collectively referred to as the “Parties”.
RECITALS
A. The County owns and operates a system of regional and local parks and trails that consists of
thirty-two thousand (32,000) acres of parklands and more than one hundred eighty-five (185)
miles of regional trails. In addition, the County provides regional trails, regional recreational
facilities, regional natural areas, regional parks, and local parks in unincorporated areas.
B. Since 2003, on recommendation of the Metropolitan Parks Task Force and direction from the
County Executive and County Council, the County's Parks and Recreation Division has
focused on managing a system of regional parks, open spaces and trails and a limited set of
regional active recreation assets. Consistent with its role as a regional and local rural service
provider under Countywide Planning Policies and the State Growth Management Act, the
County has divested itself of local parks and facilities in urban, unincorporated areas as these
areas incorporate or annex to cities.
C. On April 29, 2025, the King County Council adopted Ordinance 19922 which called for a
special election in accordance with RCW 29A.04.321 to authorize a property tax levy in excess
of the levy limitation contained in 84.55 RCW for a period of six (6) years for specified park
purposes.
D. On August 5, 2025, King County voters approved Proposition No. 1 Parks Levy that authorized
an additional six year property tax levy at a rate of $0.2329 per one thousand dollars of assessed
valuation in the first year and limiting annual levy increases by the King County inflation plus
population index published by the King County office of economic and financial analysis, or
the chapter 84.55 RCW limitation, whichever is greater in years two through six for the purpose
of maintaining and operating King County's open space system; improving parks, recreation,
access, and mobility in King County by acquiring lands and continuing to develop and support
parks, recreation facilities, and regional trails; improving parks and trails in and acquiring lands
by metropolitan parks districts, towns and cities in King County; funding environmental
education, maintenance and conservation programs at the Woodland Park Zoo; funding
environmental education, maintenance and conservation programs at the Seattle Aquarium;
funding development, maintenance, and programming for Seattle's Waterfront park; funding
environmental and climate stewardship and education at Pacific Science Center; funding a
capital project at Memorial Stadium; and funding capital improvements at public pools, for all
King County residents.
King County Parks Property Tax Levy
2026-2031 Agreement
Page 2 of 7
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings hereinafter set
forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
A. “Annual Report” shall mean the annual report prepared by the CITY and provided to
the County annually by May 31st beginning in 2027 setting forth a summary of CITY
Projects for the preceding year, along with a complete financial accounting for the use
of the CITY’S Share, along with a listing of all capital investments made at the CITY
funded in whole or in part by County Levy Proceeds.
B. “CITY” shall mean the City of Renton, State of Washington, and all of its boards,
commissions, departments, agencies and other subdivisions.
C. “CITY Parks System” shall mean any building or other structure related to parks or
recreation, parks, trails, open space, such as natural areas and resource or ecological
lands and other parks or recreation property owned or otherwise under the jurisdiction
of the CITY.
D. “City and Park District Proceeds” shall mean ten percent (10%) of the total County
Levy Proceeds collected by King County, net the amounts specified and allocated in
Ordinance 19922 Sections 5A-I, and any interest earnings on these funds.
E. “CITY Projects” shall mean CITY Parks System operations and capital improvement
projects consistent with Ordinance 19922.
F. “CITY’S Share” shall mean the CITY’s proportionate share of the City and Park
District Proceeds as authorized by Ordinance 19922 Section 5C and 5I, subject to
County Council appropriation.
G. “County” shall mean King County, State of Washington, and all of its boards,
commissions, departments, agencies and other subdivisions.
H. “County Council” shall mean the County Council of King County, State of Washington.
I. “County Levy” means the annual King County property tax levy for park purposes
imposed by the King County Council and authorized by Proposition No. 1 Parks Levy
that was approved by the County voters on August 5, 2025 and replaced a levy expiring
at the end of 2025.
J. “County Levy Proceeds” shall mean the principal amount of the County Levy collected
by the County.
King County Parks Property Tax Levy
2026-2031 Agreement
Page 3 of 7
K. “Executive” shall mean the King County Executive or their functional successor.
2. Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall be for a period
commencing upon signature by both parties (the “Commencement Date”), and expiring on
December 31, 2031 (the “Termination Date”).
3. Receipt of County Levy Proceeds.
A. General Distribution. Each year the County shall distribute the CITY's Share to the
CITY as authorized by Ordinance 19922, subject to County Council appropriation.
B. Receipt and Distribution of Levy Proceeds.
1. Payment Schedule. Beginning in 2026 and through 2031, the County shall transfer
the CITY’s Share to the CITY on a semi-annual basis, generally in the months of
May and November. The annual amounts transferred shall never exceed the CITY's
proportionate share of the City and Park District Proceeds actually collected and
appropriated by King County.
2. Administrative Fee. The Parties agree that the County has authority to deduct a
portion from City and Park District Proceeds for eligible expenditures related to the
administration of the distribution of County Levy Proceeds, consistent with
Ordinance 19922.
4. Use of County Levy Proceeds. The CITY shall only use the transferred CITY’S Share for
its CITY Projects. On or before May 31st of each year throughout the Term of this
Agreement, the CITY shall provide the County with a copy of the Annual Report and
provide any further documentation showing that the CITY’S Share was expended on CITY
Projects. The CITY shall maintain financial records to account separately for the CITY’S
Share.
5. Representations and Warranties. The CITY represents and warrants that all of the CITY’S
Share received by the CITY shall be used only for specific CITY Projects as defined in this
Agreement. The CITY represents and warrants that all CITY Projects shall be consistent
with the requirements in King County Ordinance 19922.
6. Title to Improvements. All appurtenances, fixtures, improvements, equipment, additions
and other property attached to or installed in the CITY Park System during the Term shall
be and remain the properties of CITY and shall not be deemed property of the County under
any circumstances.
7. Notices. All notices required to be given hereunder shall be in writing and either delivered
personally or sent by certified mail to the appropriate address listed below, or at such other
address as shall be provided by written notice. Notice shall be deemed communicated upon
actual receipt. For convenience of the parties, copies of notices may also be given be other
King County Parks Property Tax Levy
2026-2031 Agreement
Page 4 of 7
means; however, neither party may give official or binding notice except by personal
delivery or by certified mail.
If to the CITY:
CITY’s Contact and Title:
City Name:
Mailing Address:
City, State, Zip Code:
If to King County:
Warren Jimenez, Division Director
King County Parks and Recreation Division
Department of Natural Resources and Parks
201 South Jackson Street
Mailstop: KSC-NR-6500
Seattle, WA 98104
wjimenez@kingcounty.gov
kcparks.legalnotices@kingcounty.gov
8.Compliance with Laws. The CITY shall comply and conform with all applicable laws and
all governmental regulations, rules, and orders.
9.CITY Agreement to Comply with Audit Finding or Repay. The CITY agrees that it is
financially responsible for the lawful use of the levy funds distributed under this contract.
The CITY agrees that if the State Auditor makes an audit finding that the levy funds have
not been spent properly, the CITY shall comply with the State Auditor’s audit finding and
correct any improper expenditure or, at the sole discretion of the County, repay any
indicated amounts to the County. This duty to comply with the audit finding or repay shall
not be diminished or extinguished by the prior termination of this Agreement and shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.
10.Miscellaneous.
A.Liability of the County. The County’s obligations to the CITY under this Agreement
shall be limited to the terms and conditions set forth herein. Notwithstanding any other
provision in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the County be liable,
regardless of whether any claim is based on contract or tort, for any special,
consequential, indirect or incidental damages, including without limitation lost profits,
arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the services performed in
connection with this Agreement.
John Rupp, Parks and Trails Director
City of Renton
1055 S. Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
King County Parks Property Tax Levy
2026-2031 Agreement
Page 5 of 7
B. Dispute Resolution. In the event of a dispute between the CITY and the County
regarding any term of this Agreement, the parties shall attempt to resolve the matter
informally through the following mechanism: the CITY (reps.) or their respective
designee(s), shall meet with County (reps) or their respective designee(s) to review and
discuss the matter(s) in dispute; if the CITY (representatives) and County
(representatives) are unable to reach a mutual resolution, the Executive and the mayor,
or their respective designee(s) shall meet to review and discuss the matter(s) in dispute.
If such persons are unable to resolve the matter informally, either party may submit the
matter to a non-binding, structured mediation procedure fashioned by persons or
organizations experienced in alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”) procedures. The
mediation may be requested by any party and shall be initiated within thirty (30) days
from the date of the request unless extended by the mutual agreement of both parties.
The alternative dispute resolution procedures utilized for the mediation shall include
the exchange of written claims and responses, with supporting information, at least
seven (7) days prior to the actual mediation. The positions expressed and the mediator’s
recommendations shall not be admissible as evidence in any subsequent ADR or legal
proceeding. If the matter is submitted to mediation and the matter is not resolved, an
affected party shall be entitled to pursue any legal remedy available. Any disputes
involving the lawful expenditure of levy proceeds shall be resolved by King County
Superior Court if the parties cannot agree.
C. No Implied Waiver. No failure by either party hereto to insist upon the strict
performance of any obligation of the other party under this Agreement or to exercise
any right, power or remedy arising out of a breach thereof, irrespective of the length of
time for which such failure continues (except in cases where this Agreement expressly
limits the time for exercising rights or remedies arising out of a breach), shall constitute
a waiver of such breach or of that party’s right to demand strict compliance such term,
covenant or condition or operate as a surrender of this Agreement. No waiver of any
default or the performance of any provision hereof shall affect any other default or
performance, or cover any other period of time, other than the default, performance or
period of time specified in such express waiver. One or more written waivers of a
default or the performance of any provision hereof shall not be deemed to be a waiver
of a subsequent default or performance. The consent of either party hereto given in any
instance under the terms of this Agreement shall not relieve the other party of any
obligation to secure the consent of the other party in any other or future instance under
the terms of this Agreement.
D. Headings and Subheadings. The captions preceding the articles and sections of this
Agreement and in the table of contents have been inserted for convenience of reference
and such captions in no way define or limit the scope or intent of any provision of this
Agreement.
E. Successors and Assigns. The terms, covenants, and conditions contained in this
Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the County and the CITY and, except
as otherwise provided herein, their personal representatives and successors and assigns.
There are no third party beneficiaries to this Agreement.
King County Parks Property Tax Levy
2026-2031 Agreement
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F. Agreement made in Washington. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in and
shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington. Venue of
any action brought by one party against the other to enforce or arising out of this
Agreement shall be in King County Superior Court.
G. Integrated Agreement; Modification. This Agreement contains all the agreements of the
parties hereto relating to the subject matter addressed herein, and cannot be amended
or modified except by a written agreement approved by the King County Council and
mutually executed between each of the parties hereto.
H. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one
and the same instrument.
I. Time of Essence. Time is of the essence of each provision of this Agreement.
J. Signage. For each completed capital project funded with County Levy Proceeds, the
CITY shall install a permanent sign at a common access point of the park facility’s
premises that shall include the following language: This project was funded (or as
applicable, funded in part) with proceeds from the voter-approved King County
Parks Levy in August 2025 under an Agreement with King County parks and
Recreation Division. If the CITY has not installed its own sign the City shall install a
sign provided by the County.
K. Reporting. The CITY should report major milestones, such as groundbreakings and
opening dates, thirty (30) calendar days prior to such milestone to King County Parks
and the King County councilmember who represents the CITY’s County Council
district. The CITY can mail or deliver reports to both King County Parks and the current
King County Council councilmember at:
Warren Jimenez, Division Director
King County Parks and Recreation Division
Department of Natural Resources and Parks
201 South Jackson Street
Mailstop: KSC-NR-6500
Seattle, WA 98104
wjimenez@kingcounty.gov
kcparks.legalnotices@kingcounty.gov
Councilmember(s): _______________________
In care of King County Council Clerk
Room 1200
516 3rd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
clerk.council@kingcounty.gov
King County Parks Property Tax Levy
2026-2031 Agreement
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the last date set
forth below.
KING COUNTY, a Washington municipal
corporation
CITY OF RENTON, a Washington municipal
corporation
By ________________________________ By ________________________________
Its ________________________________ Its ___Mayor________________________
Date ________________________________ Date ________________________________
By authority of Ordinance No. 19922
Armondo Pavone
Attest
_____________________________
Jason A. Seth
City Clerk, City of Renton
KING COUNTY
Signature Report
1200 King County Courthouse
516 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
Ordinance 19922
Proposed No. 2025-0130.1 Sponsors Dembowski, von Reichbauer
and Backus
1
AN ORDINANCE providing for the submission to the 1
qualified electors of King County at a special election to be 2
held in King County on August 5, 2025, of a proposition 3
authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the levy 4
limitation contained in chapter 84.55 RCW for a period of 5
six consecutive years, at a total rate of not more than 6
$0.2329 per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation in 7
the first year and limiting annual levy increases by the King 8
County inflation plus population index published by the 9
King County office of economic and financial analysis, or 10
the chapter 84.55 RCW limitation, whichever is greater in 11
years two through six for the purpose of maintaining and 12
operating King County's open space system; improving 13
parks, recreation, access, and mobility in King County by 14
acquiring lands and continuing to develop and support 15
parks, recreation facilities, and regional trails; improving 16
parks and trails in and acquiring lands by metropolitan 17
parks districts, towns and cities in King County; funding 18
environmental education, maintenance and conservation 19
Docusign Envelope ID: 75C0A1FC-355F-40F9-979D-B4771BB1FBEC
Ordinance 19922
2
programs at the Woodland Park Zoo; funding 20
environmental education, maintenance and conservation 21
programs at the Seattle Aquarium; funding development, 22
maintenance, and programming for Seattle's Waterfront 23
park; funding environmental and climate stewardship and 24
education at Pacific Science Center; funding a capital 25
project at Memorial Stadium; and funding capital 26
improvements at public pools, for all King County 27
residents; repealing Ordinance 19914, Section 1,Ordinance 28
19914, Section 2, Ordinance 19914, Section 3, Ordinance 29
19914, Section 4, Ordinance 19914, Section 5, Ordinance 30
19914, Section 6, Ordinance 19914, Section 7, Ordinance 31
19914, Section 8, Ordinance 19914, Section 9, and 32
Ordinance 19914, Section 10; and declaring an emergency. 33
STATEMENT OF FACTS: 34
1. King County owns and operates a system of regional and local parks 35
and trails that consists of thirty-two thousand acres of parklands and more 36
than one hundred eighty-five miles of regional trails. The county provides 37
regional trails, regional recreational facilities, regional natural areas, 38
regional parks, and local parks in unincorporated areas. Examples of 39
regional and local county parks and trails include Marymoor park, Cougar 40
Mountain Regional Wildland park, Steve Cox Memorial park, Dick 41
Docusign Envelope ID: 75C0A1FC-355F-40F9-979D-B4771BB1FBEC
Ordinance 19922
3
Thurnau Memorial park, the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, 42
and the Sammamish River trail. 43
2. Parks, natural areas, and trails contribute to a high quality of life. A 44
robust system of parks and trails provides: physical, social, and mental 45
health benefits to individuals; economic opportunity through recreation 46
and tourism; economic growth for private businesses that must attract and 47
retain skilled workers; increased climate resilience; environmental benefits 48
like clean water and healthy habitat; and cultural resource protection 49
through open space conservation. King County's open space system 50
provides all these benefits to King County residents and businesses. 51
3. Provision of urban green space, through parks or other investments 52
such as street trees, is particularly important to achieve the benefits listed 53
above. The addition of trees and plants to concrete-dominated urban areas 54
can help reduce the higher ambient temperatures in those areas, which are 55
anticipated to worsen as anthropogenic climate change progresses. That 56
contributes to health and quality of life for nearby residents, in addition to 57
providing additional capacity to sequester planet-warming greenhouse 58
gases. 59
4. The 2002 Parks Business Transition Plan, adopted by the King County 60
council and enacted by Ordinance 14509, became the blueprint for 61
establishing the regional open space system we have today. Building on 62
that blueprint, the county has adopted open space plans, which have 63
provided the framework guiding King County in the acquisition, planning, 64
Docusign Envelope ID: 75C0A1FC-355F-40F9-979D-B4771BB1FBEC
Ordinance 19922
4
development, stewardship, maintenance, and management of its complex 65
system of parks, regional trails, and acres of open space. The latest open 66
space plan was updated in 2022 and adopted by Ordinance 19501. 67
5. In implementing the open space plan, the parks and recreation division 68
of the department of natural resources and parks has successfully focused 69
its lines of business on regional parks and trails, backcountry trails, natural 70
areas, and local parks in unincorporated King County and has 71
implemented business practices that generate revenue from park system 72
assets by implementing or increasing user fees and establishing corporate 73
and community partnerships that enhance park amenities and leverage 74
public and private dollars to improve parks and increase access to parks. 75
6. Consistent with the recommendations of past parks-related task forces 76
and community advisory committees, the county has sought voter-77
approved levies on four prior occasions: in 2003, enacted by Ordinance 78
14586, to provide maintenance and operating funding for the parks and 79
recreation division for 2004 through 2007; in 2007, enacted by Ordinance 80
15759, to provide funding for maintenance and operations as well as 81
funding for open space acquisition, regional trail development, the 82
Woodland Park Zoo and for King County towns and cities for use in their 83
open space acquisition and trail projects for 2008 through 2013; in 2013, 84
enacted by Ordinance 17568, to provide funding for maintenance and 85
operations as well as for open space acquisition, asset maintenance and 86
improvement, parks and trails projects, the Woodland Park Zoo and for 87
Docusign Envelope ID: 75C0A1FC-355F-40F9-979D-B4771BB1FBEC
Ordinance 19922
5
King County towns and cities to use for their parks and recreation for 88
2014 through 2019; and in 2019, enacted by Ordinance 18890, to provide 89
funding for maintenance and operations as well as for open space 90
acquisition, asset maintenance and improvement, parks and trails projects, 91
the Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, aquatic facilities, and for 92
King County towns and cities to use for their parks and recreation for 93
2020 through 2025. Voters approved the funding measures on all four 94
occasions that they were on the ballot. The voter-approved levies have 95
helped keep the open space system clean, safe, and open. 96
7. Tribal nations are comanagers with the county in managing our shared 97
public lands, waters, and resources. The county recognizes that this 98
relationship is informed and guided by the treaty rights, which many tribes 99
exercise within King County. The department of natural resources and 100
parks has undertaken many actions with tribes as comanagers in an effort 101
to foster mutual respect, and establish regular and meaningful 102
communication, cooperation, and consultation with tribal officials in 103
developing and executing state and King County policies that have tribal 104
implications. The county has an ongoing goal to strengthen the 105
government-to-government relationship with tribes that share territory 106
with and have interests in King County 107
8. The 2020 through 2025 voter-approved parks, trails, and open space 108
replacement levy provides approximately eighty-five percent of the 109
operating budget of the parks and recreation division, with approximately 110
Docusign Envelope ID: 75C0A1FC-355F-40F9-979D-B4771BB1FBEC
Ordinance 19922
6
fifteen percent generated through business activities and entrepreneurial 111
efforts. King County general fund support to the parks and recreation 112
division was eliminated as of 2011. 113
9. The community partnerships and grants program enacted by Ordinance 114
14509 enhances parks amenities by partnering with parks and recreation 115
organizations. Since the inception of the community partnership and grant 116
program in 2003, more than seventy projects representing more than 117
seventy million dollars' worth of new, enhanced, or preserved public 118
recreation facilities have been completed, with only twenty-two million 119
dollars of King County capital investment. 120
10. The Woodland Park Zoo received distributions from the past three 121
voter-approved levies to supplement zoo operating revenue for education 122
and conservation programs, horticulture and maintenance, and capital 123
improvements. Levy proceeds distributed to the zoo provided 124
environmental education, programming and transportation focusing on 125
accessibility for underserved areas, supported thousands of students-126
annually, and benefitted residents throughout King County. Levy 127
proceeds also provided conservation and animal care for threatened 128
Pacific Northwest species. 129
11. The Seattle Aquarium received distributions from the past voter-130
approved levy for capital costs for the Ocean Pavilion project to amplify 131
the aquarium's existing global conservation efforts by bringing visitors 132
face-to-face with tropical species native to the Coral Triangle and by 133
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housing approximately three thousand five hundred sustainably sourced 134
tropical fish and invertebrates, including rays, sharks, mangroves, and up 135
to thirty species of coral. 136
12. The Memorial Stadium project will create an innovative multi-137
purpose student and community events facility at Seattle Center. That 138
transformative project will be led by Seattle Public Schools and the city of 139
Seattle, providing an improved venue for local and regional sports and 140
events. 141
13. The removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct provided an unprecedented 142
opportunity to create new green space in the heart of Seattle. The 143
resulting waterfront park is a twenty-acre public space stretching from 144
Belltown to Pioneer Square, providing the entire region lasting economic, 145
social, and environmental benefits. Seattle's Waterfront park will link 146
iconic attractions including Olympic Sculpture park, Pike Place Market, 147
the Seattle Aquarium, the Colman Dock ferry terminal, Pioneer Square, 148
stadiums, and surrounding neighborhoods. 149
14. King County towns and cities received funding from the past three 150
voter-approved levies. In 2008 through 2013, towns and cities could use 151
levy proceeds for open space and natural lands acquisition and 152
development of town or city trail projects that supported connections to 153
the regional trail system with distributions being contingent upon an equal 154
or greater contribution of matching moneys from the recipient town or city 155
for the same project. In the 2014 through 2019 and the 2020 through 2025 156
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levies, types of uses for the distribution to King County towns and cities 157
were broadened to provide flexibility and better meet the parks and 158
recreation needs of cities. 159
15. Parks levy oversight committees were established to monitor the 160
expenditures of the proceeds from the 2004 through 2007, 2008 through 161
2013, 2014 through 2019, and 2020 through 2025 levies. Annual 162
committee review has concluded that the county has complied with all 163
levy requirements. 164
16. During the 2008 through 2013, 2014 through 2019, and 2020 through 165
2025 levy periods, the process for developing, reviewing, and 166
recommending potential conservation futures tax and parks levy 167
acquisition projects has maximized acquisitions for open space, natural 168
lands, and regional trail rights of way due to the similar objectives for the 169
conservation futures tax and parks levy acquisition programs. Parks levy 170
open space funding distributed to King County is a critical component of 171
match for county applications for conservation futures tax funding. The 172
process for conservation futures tax outlined in K.C.C. 26.12.010 173
maintains transparency, accessibility, and consistency of the distribution 174
of conservation futures tax and parks levy acquisition funds for the public, 175
stakeholder groups, government agencies, and officials. 176
17. King County is growing rapidly as a region. In 2024, King County's 177
population increased by more than thirty thousand people; over the next 178
ten years, the county is expected to grow by another two hundred fifty 179
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thousand people. Recent trend reports indicate that participation in 180
outdoor recreation continues to grow, increasing by more than four 181
percent nation-wide in 2023. More and more people are using King 182
County parks and trails, which puts greater pressure on the system. As 183
development increases to accommodate population growth, the risk of 184
losing open space lands, including urban greenspaces throughout the 185
county grows. Those valuable lands contribute to King County residents' 186
high quality of life. The cost of land to accommodate this growth and 187
preserve open spaces is also increasing. Today is the opportune time to 188
address future needs of residents by investing in our parks and trails and 189
accelerating conservation of open space. 190
18. In King County, many communities have experienced a history of 191
inequitable and limited regional investments in parks, recreation, and open 192
space, limiting the ability of residents to lead healthy lives. 193
Approximately five hundred thousand King County residents live without 194
ready access to parks, recreation, and open spaces. There is a need to 195
address disparities in access to parks, recreation, and open space for 196
traditionally underserved areas and communities, including people with 197
disabilities. This ordinance provides an opportunity to address parks and 198
recreation needs of these traditionally underserved areas and communities, 199
including people with disabilities. 200
19. Recognizing growth in population, increased use of parks and trails 201
and the need to address disparities, to prepare the 2026 through 2031 levy, 202
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the parks and recreation division conducted outreach to obtain feedback on 203
the current park system and future parks and recreation needs for all King 204
County residents. In March and April 2024, parks and recreation division 205
staff conducted twenty-one in-person and virtual community engagement 206
events and hosted two online surveys across eight languages. Participants 207
represented all geographic areas of the county including towns and cities, 208
business, recreation, community, and environmental interests. More than 209
four thousand eight hundred people across all nine King County Council 210
districts participated in the surveys. Parks and recreation division staff 211
also met with towns and cities, parks districts, and key partners to receive 212
additional feedback about the levy. 213
20. Feedback from engagement events, online surveys, and meetings 214
showed support for the King County open space system and defined 215
measures of success. Four themes emerged as top priorities: safety and 216
belonging; new parks, trails, recreation, and infrastructure; equity, 217
representation, inclusion, and access; and maintenance, repairs, and 218
staffing. Feedback supported funding for King County towns' and cities' 219
parks and recreation programs; expansion of the regional trails system; 220
and natural lands conservation. 221
21. From January through July 2024, parks and recreation division staff 222
convened a Community Advisory Committee tasked with recommending 223
how to preserve King County's open space system of parks, trails, and 224
natural areas and resource lands after the 2019 through 2025 levy expires. 225
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The Community Advisory Committee also advised staff about how best to 226
meet the growing parks and recreation needs in King County and the 227
region. Representing King County Boards, cities, non-profit 228
organizations, community and environmental interests, businesses, and 229
sports, the Community Advisory Committee met nine times to provide 230
guidance on developing the 2026 through 2031 levy. 231
22. The King County executive took into consideration information 232
obtained from this engagement, the region's growing population, increased 233
use of parks and trails across King County, and the lack of parks, 234
recreation, and open space in some communities, and has put forth this 235
ordinance that acknowledges the changing landscape and the need to grow 236
the open space system to keep up with regional demand. This ordinance is 237
also consistent with the goals and priorities of past levy task forces. 238
23. This proposal would exempt low-income seniors, disabled veterans, 239
and other people with disabilities from the regular property tax increase on 240
their residences resulting from a levy authorized by this ordinance if they 241
have been approved for an exemption under RCW 84.36.381. 242
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY: 243
SECTION 1. Findings: 244
A. On April 15, 2025, the county council adopted Ordinance 19914 to submit to 245
the voters at a special election to be held in King County on August 5, 2025, a 246
proposition authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the levy limitation contained in 247
chapter 84.55 RCW. Commonly referred to as the "Parks Levy," if passed by the voters, 248
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among the eligible levy expenditures would be direct distributions to cities, towns, and 249
municipal park districts. 250
B. Ordinance 19914, as enacted, contained an incorrect cross reference in Section 251
4.I.3.c. that would preclude distribution of approximately ninety-one million dollars, over 252
the life of the levy, to towns and cities, which is contrary to the intent of the council, and 253
contained an incorrect cross-reference in Section 7.B. that would result in omitting an 254
intended reporting requirement. 255
C. In accordance with RCW 29A.04.321, in order to submit a levy proposition to 256
the voters at the special election to be held in King County on August 5, 2025, an 257
effective ordinance must be presented to the county's elections department no later than 258
May 2, 2025. 259
D. In order to meet that deadline, the council must take action on this ordinance 260
on an emergency basis to ensure that the voters have the opportunity to consider the 261
correct and intended levy proposal at the August special election. If the levy proposal is 262
passed by the voters, the proceeds from the levy will continue and expand support of not 263
only the King County's open space system, but also the parks, trails, open space, and 264
recreational programs of all the county's cities and towns, and some municipal park 265
districts, as well as making investments in environmental education, the Woodland Park 266
Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, Seattle's Waterfront park, the Pacific Science Center, and the 267
construction of a revitalized Memorial Stadium. 268
E. This ordinance repeals and replaces Ordinance 19914. Except for the 269
correction of the cross-references in the subsections that are now Section 5.I.3. and 270
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Section 8.B. of this ordinance, and the additions of this Findings section, the repeal 271
section, and the emergency declaration, this ordinance is identical to Ordinance 19914. 272
SECTION 2. Definitions. The definitions in this section apply throughout this 273
ordinance unless the context clearly requires otherwise. For those definitions herein that 274
contain terms not defined but include a reference to the 2022 Open Space Plan adopted 275
by Ordinance 19501, or the provisions of the Growth Management Act, chapter 36.70A 276
RCW, then the definition or categorization found in the referenced document shall apply. 277
A. "Aquatic facilities grants program" means the program through which King 278
County provides moneys to publicly owned pools for: capital improvement projects, 279
including planning, feasibility studies, preconstruction and design, and construction; and 280
major maintenance repair or replacement projects. 281
B. "Ballfield access and preservation grant program" means the program through 282
which King County provides moneys to eligible entities to increase public access to 283
ballfields. 284
C. "Community partnerships and grants program" means the program through 285
which King County provides moneys to recreation-oriented groups, sports associations, 286
and community-based organizations to undertake any combination of developing, 287
operating, or maintaining a recreation facility or public park in unincorporated King 288
County and King County towns and cities for public benefit. 289
D. "Conservation" means protection of natural areas, as defined in the county's 290
open space plan, natural resource lands, categorized in RCW 36.70A.170, from 291
development through fee or easement acquisition, restoration of natural functions, and 292
administration of incentives for landowners that voluntarily preserve open space. 293
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E. "Conservation futures tax program" means the program defined in K.C.C. 294
chapter 26.12. 295
F. "Educational and civic venues" means the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle 296
Aquarium, Memorial Stadium, Seattle's Waterfront park, and Pacific Science Center. 297
G. "Get active/stay active grant program" means the program through which the 298
King County council provides councilmanic grant awards for youth or amateur sport 299
activities or facilities. 300
H. "Healthy community and parks grants program" means the program through 301
which King County provides moneys to eligible entities in order to achieve equitable 302
opportunities and access to parks and recreation for traditionally underserved areas and 303
communities, including people with disabilities, located in unincorporated King County 304
and King County towns and cities. 305
I. "Levy" means the levy of regular property taxes for the specific purposes and 306
term provided in this ordinance and authorized by the electorate in accordance with state 307
law. 308
J. "Levy proceeds" means the principal amount of moneys raised by the levy, any 309
interest earnings on the moneys, and the proceeds of any interim financing following 310
authorization of the levy. 311
K. "Limit factor" means the most recent published King County office of 312
economic and financial analysis King County inflation plus population index, or the 313
limitation contained in chapter 84.55 RCW, whichever is greater. 314
L. "Open space system" means the categories of King County's open space 315
system of parks, including recreation and multiuse sites, regional trails, natural areas, and 316
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natural resource lands. "Open space system" also includes structures or buildings owned 317
or otherwise under the jurisdiction of the parks and recreation division of the department 318
of natural resources. 319
M. "Open space" means any land defined as part of the open space system or a 320
parks district, town, or city parks system. 321
N. "Parks district" means the active metropolitan park districts under chapter 322
35.61 RCW and parks and recreation service areas under chapter 36.68 RCW in King 323
County. 324
O. "Town or city parks system" means any building or other structure related to 325
parks or recreation; parks, trails, natural areas, natural resource lands, and other parks or 326
recreation property owned or otherwise under the jurisdiction of a town or city within 327
King County. 328
SECTION 3. Levy submittal to voters. To provide necessary moneys for the 329
purposes identified in section 5 of this ordinance, the King County council shall submit to 330
the qualified electors of the county a proposition authorizing a regular property tax levy 331
in excess of the levy limitation contained in chapter 84.55 RCW for six consecutive 332
years, with collection commencing in 2026, at a rate not to exceed $0.2329 per one 333
thousand dollars of assessed value in the first year of the levy period. The dollar amount 334
of the levy in the first year shall be the base upon which the levy amounts in year two 335
through six shall be calculated. In accordance with RCW 84.55.050, this levy shall be a 336
regular property tax levy subject to the limit factor. 337
SECTION 4. Deposit of levy proceeds. The levy proceeds shall be deposited 338
into a dedicated subfund of the parks and recreation fund, or its successor. 339
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SECTION 5. Eligible expenditures. If approved by the qualified electors of the 340
county, levy proceeds shall be used for the following purposes: 341
A. Costs incurred by the county that are attributable to the special election called 342
for in section 6 of this ordinance as well as future parks, recreation, trails, and open space 343
levy elections; 344
B. Distributions to educational and civic venues, limited to the following 345
facilities: 346
1. Up to forty million dollars for distribution to the Woodland Park Zoological 347
Society which shall be used solely for: environmental education with an emphasis on 348
accessibility to traditionally underserved areas and communities, including people with 349
disabilities; horticulture and maintenance of buildings and grounds; conservation of 350
threatened species; and development of conservation and education strategies to mitigate 351
impacts to animals and habitats from climate change; 352
2. Up to twelve million dollars for distribution to the Seattle Aquarium which 353
shall be used solely for: environmental education with an emphasis on accessibility to 354
traditionally underserved areas and communities, including people with disabilities; 355
maintenance of buildings and grounds; conservation of threatened species; and 356
development of conservation and education strategies to mitigate impacts to animals and 357
habitats from climate change; 358
3. Up to two million five-hundred thousand dollars for distribution to the city of 359
Seattle, which shall be used solely for capital costs for the Memorial Stadium project; 360
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4. Up to six million dollars for distribution to the Pacific Science Center, which 361
shall be used solely for capital or operations and maintenance purposes relating to 362
environmental and climate stewardship and education; and 363
5. Up to six million dollars for distribution to the 501(c)(3) organization, 364
registered with the Washington secretary of state under number 1133863 and known as 365
Friends of Waterfront Park or its successor 501(c)(3) organization registered with the 366
Washington secretary of state, which shall be used solely at Seattle's Waterfront park, and 367
which shall be used solely for: accessibility to the park for traditionally underserved 368
areas and communities, including people with disabilities; support for a clean and safe 369
environment; free arts, culture, wellness, and recreation programming to all visitors; and 370
development of inclusive community partnerships; 371
C. Twenty-five million twenty-five thousand dollars for a municipal parks capital 372
and open space pass through distribution to towns and cities in King County for their 373
town or city parks system operations and capital improvement projects. These moneys 374
shall be distributed based on 2025 population and presence of opportunity areas as 375
defined in K.C.C. 26.12.003.J.1., as follows: 376
1. Algona and Pacific – two hundred fifty thousand dollars each; 377
2. Enumclaw – five hundred thousand dollars; 378
3. Tukwila, SeaTac, Des Moines, and Burien – one million dollars each; 379
4. Auburn, Federal Way, Renton, and Kent – one million nine-hundred fifty 380
thousand dollars each; 381
5. Seattle – two million eight-hundred thousand dollars; 382
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6. Skykomish, Beaux Arts Village, Hunts Point, Yarrow Point, Milton, 383
Carnation, Medina, Clyde Hill, Normandy Park, Black Diamond, North Bend, and Duvall 384
– one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars each; 385
7. Lake Forest Park, Newcastle, Woodinville, and Snoqualmie – two hundred 386
fifty thousand dollars each; 387
8. Covington, Kenmore, Mercer Island, Maple Valley, Bothell, Issaquah, 388
Shoreline, and Sammamish – five hundred thousand dollars each; and 389
9. Redmond, Kirkland, and Bellevue – nine hundred seventy-five thousand 390
dollars each. 391
D. Up to sixty-eight million dollars for aquatic facilities, limited to the following: 392
1. Up to forty-six million dollars for the aquatic facilities grant program; and 393
2. Up to twenty-two million dollars for the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic 394
Center for major maintenance capital projects; 395
E. Up to ten million dollars for the Get Active/Stay Active grant program, to be 396
divided evenly among the nine council districts; 397
F. At least thirty million dollars for distribution to eligible entities for the healthy 398
communities and parks grant program; 399
G. Up to twelve million five-hundred thousand dollars for distribution to eligible 400
entities for the community partnerships and grants program; 401
H. Up to thirteen million five-hundred thousand dollars for distribution to eligible 402
entities for the ballfield access and preservation grant program; 403
I. The remainder of levy proceeds for the following purposes: 404
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1. forty percent of levy proceeds for maintenance and operations of King 405
County's open space system; 406
2. fifty percent of levy proceeds for: 407
a. Acquisition, conservation, and stewardship of additional open space, 408
including urban greenspaces, natural areas, natural resource lands, and rights of way for 409
regional trails; 410
b. Acquisition of rights of way for and development of regional and other 411
publicly owned trails; and 412
c. Capital improvement projects and major maintenance repair or replacement 413
of open space system infrastructure, town and city parks system infrastructure, and 414
recreation facilities owned or operated by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; 415
3. Ten percent of levy proceeds for distribution to towns, cities, and parks 416
districts in King County for their town or city parks system operations and capital 417
improvement projects, of which amount: 418
a. Seventy-five thousand dollars shall be distributed annually to each town and 419
city, and to each of the following parks districts that predominantly serve unincorporated 420
King County: Fall City Metropolitan Park District; Si View Metropolitan Park District; 421
and Vashon Park District; 422
b. An additional fifty-thousand dollars shall be distributed annually to each 423
town and city with a population of over four thousand; and 424
c. Of the remainder of levy proceeds, after the distributions made in 425
accordance with subsection I.3.a. and b. of this section, sixty percent shall be distributed 426
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in proportion to each town or city's population and forty percent shall be distributed in 427
proportion to the assessed value of parcels within each town or city; 428
4. Of the levy proceeds distributed to entities other than King County, a portion 429
shall be retained by the county to be used for expenditures related to administration of the 430
distribution of levy proceeds. Eligible administrative expenditures shall include all costs 431
and charges to the parks and recreation division or the county associated with or 432
attributable to the purposes listed in this section as well as sections 7 and 8 of this 433
ordinance. 434
SECTION 6. Call for special election. In accordance with RCW 29A.04.321, 435
the King County council hereby calls for a special election to be held in conjunction with 436
the primary election on August 5, 2025, to consider a proposition authorizing a regular 437
property tax levy for the purposes described in this ordinance. The King County director 438
of elections shall cause notice to be given of this ordinance in accordance with the state 439
constitution and general law and to submit to the qualified electors of the county, at the 440
said special county election, the proposition hereinafter set forth. The clerk of the council 441
shall certify that proposition to the King County director of elections in substantially the 442
following form, with such additions, deletions or modifications as may be required for 443
the proposition listed below by the prosecuting attorney: 444
King County 445
Proposition No. 1 446
Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Levy 447
The King County council adopted Ordinance ______ replacing the expiring parks levy. 448
If approved, this proposition supports county, city, park district, and town parks, open 449
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space, and trails; recreation; public pools; and educational and civic venues. It authorizes 450
an additional six-year property tax beginning in 2026 at $0.2329 per $1,000 of assessed 451
valuation, uses the 2026 levy amount to compute annual increases in 2027-2031 by the 452
King County inflation plus population index or chapter 84.55 RCW limitation, whichever 453
is greater, and exempts qualifying seniors, veterans, and disabled persons under RCW 454
84.36.381. Should this proposition be: 455
Approved? _ 456
Rejected? _ 457
SECTION 7. Distributions. Before distribution of levy proceeds to an entity 458
other than King County, the receiving entity and the county shall have fully executed a 459
contract setting forth the terms and conditions, including the applicable eligible purpose 460
or purposes identified in section 5 of this ordinance, under which the entity is receiving a 461
distribution of levy proceeds. 462
SECTION 8. Parks levy oversight board established. 463
A. If the proposition in section 6 of this ordinance is approved by the qualified 464
electors of King County, a parks levy oversight board shall be appointed by the 465
executive. The board shall consist of nine members. By March 31, 2026, each 466
councilmember shall nominate a candidate for the board who resides in the 467
councilmember's district. If, by March 31, 2026, the executive does not appoint the 468
person nominated by a councilmember, the executive must request that the 469
councilmember should, by June 30, 2026, nominate another candidate for appointment. 470
Members shall be confirmed by the council. Members may not be elected or appointed 471
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officials of any unit of government, except that individuals serving in a civic capacity on 472
a local board or commission would be eligible to serve on the parks levy oversight board. 473
B. The board shall review the allocation of levy proceeds and progress on 474
achieving the purposes of this proposition. On or before December 31, 2027, the board 475
shall review and report to the King County executive, the King County council and the 476
regional policy committee on the expenditure of levy proceeds for 2026. Thereafter, the 477
board shall review and report to the King County executive, the King County council and 478
the regional policy committee annually. Each report shall include an accounting of levy 479
spending by King County council district and ZIP Code, grouped by purposes described in 480
section 5.B. through I.3. of this ordinance. Any report to the King County council under 481
this section shall be electronically filed with the clerk of the council, who will retain an 482
electronic copy and provide an electronic copy to all councilmembers, the council chief 483
of staff, and the chief policy officer. The board expires December 31, 2032. 484
SECTION 9. Exemption. The additional regular property taxes authorized by 485
this ordinance shall be included in any real property tax exemption authorized by RCW 486
84.36.381. 487
SECTION 10. Ratification. Certification of the proposition by the clerk of the 488
King County council to the director of elections in accordance with law before the 489
election on August 5, 2025, and any other acts consistent with the authority and before 490
the effective date of this ordinance are hereby ratified and confirmed. 491
SECTION 11. The following are hereby repealed: 492
A. Ordinance 19914, Section 1; 493
B. Ordinance 19914, Section 2; 494
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C. Ordinance 19914, Section 3; 495
D. Ordinance 19914, Section 4; 496
E. Ordinance 19914, Section 5; 497
F. Ordinance 19914, Section 6; 498
G. Ordinance 19914, Section 7; 499
H. Ordinance 19914, Section 8; 500
I. Ordinance 19914, Section 9; and 501
J. Ordinance 19914, Section 10. 502
SECTION 12. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or its application 503
to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance or the 504
application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected. 505
SECTION 13. The county council finds as a fact and declares that an emergency 506
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exists and that this ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, 507
health or safety or for the support of county government and its existing public institutions. 508
Ordinance 19922 was introduced on 4/29/2025 and passed by the Metropolitan King
County Council on 4/29/2025, by the following vote:
Yes: 7 - Balducci, Barón, Dembowski, Mosqueda, Quinn, von
Reichbauer and Zahilay
No: 1 - Dunn
Excused: 1 - Perry
KING COUNTY COUNCIL
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON
________________________________________
Girmay Zahilay, Chair
ATTEST:
________________________________________
Melani Hay, Clerk of the Council
Attachments: None
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