||| FROM JUSTIN PAULSEN |||
Our community has the opportunity in the upcoming election to re-commit to supporting the Orcas Island Park and Recreation District.
Since its inception, OIPRD has continuously been a responsible and reliable steward the taxpayer dollars from our community. Through direct programming and relationships built with numerous partner organizations, our community investment has allowed the District to become an integral part of the fabric of Orcas Island. As the needs or our community have changed, OIPRD has stepped up to fill gaps, enhance the lives of residents of all ages and steward park land that is vital to all members of our community.
Orcas Island Park and Recreation District is a shining example of positive and effective local governance and I ask you to join me in marking a resounding YES for OIPRD on your ballot.
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With all respect, can’t we wait until fuel and food prices come down a bit first? Interest rates are going to drive home values down soon we’re all getting hit.
The ballot pamphlet states:
“The Board of Commissioners of the Orcas Island Park
and Recreation District adopted Resolution 2026-
07-09 concerning a six-year property tax levy. This
proposition would impose a regular property tax levy
in the amount of 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed
value for six years”
Now, this is not a new levy they are asking for. It is simply a request to renew the existing levy, which expires at the end of 2027, for another 6 year period.
The existing levy was approved by Orcas voters on November 2, 2021, with 67.96% voting “yes”. The ballot authorized “15 cents or less per thousand dollars of assessed valuation” for six consecutive years beginning in 2022.
If we fail to renew the levy before it expires, the consequences will be serious – looking at the current Parks and Rec District budget, ~75% of their budget is funded by the existing levy.
Voting YES for this levy, but this is in fact a new levy. True, it’s the same $.15 per $1,00 the district asked for in 2021, but Orcas property valuations have increase since 2021 from $2.759 billion to $4.868 billion in 2026 … the Orcas assessed value for 2027 is not yet available on the assessor’s website. It will likely be near 2026 valuations since construction has slowed, so this levy will be an minimum an increase of the 2026 levy rate of $.1036039 to $.15 per $1000, which is a 44.78% increase from 2026.
I think the major issue is the Village Green … the county wants to eliminate the costs of maintaining that asset and turn it over to Orcas Park and Rec. Not sure how that fared in the County budget, but Orcas Park and Rec seems like a logical fit to oversee the Village Green. The voter’s pamphlet is silent on that possible management decision.
Buck Park is an immediate neighbor to the east of my office (Orcas Island Physical Therapy). Nearly every day I see the huge number of programs that are run through the park, the significant number of folks walking or jogging around the park, it is amazing to see how well it is used and cared for! I have been impressed through the years of first hand observation, how much gets ‘done’ at the park for the tax that we end up paying. I am happy to join Justin and hopefully a majority of our fellow voters to say YES to this Levy!