Tax increase would fund established positions and programs

Part of the San Juan County Council’s [intlink id=”raise-property-taxes-the-public-weighs-in-at-town-hall” type=”post”]resolution approving placing a property tax increase[/intlink] measure on the November ballot  (see previous article) specifies that certain positions and services in the County budget be maintained or restored.

As proposed the increase (or “levy lift”) would fund Senior Services, WSU Extension programs, County Parks, the County Fair, immunization services, increased hours for Sheriff’s Department officer, deputy Prosecuting Attorney, and Emergency Manager, and Emergency Oil Response equipment.

The property tax increase would also provide for continued operations of county offices and maintenance of county facilities.

From the resolution, the following is a listing of these funding specifications:

1. Senior Services on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Islands, at a cost of approximately $211,000;

2. WSU Extension programs, including 4-H, Master Gardeners and other volunteer and agricultural programs, at a cost of approximately $129,000;

3. Maintenance and operation of County parks, at a cost of approximately $200,000;

4. General fund support of the San Juan County Fair, at a cost of approximately $5,000;

5. Immunization clinics and public health services on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Islands, at a cost of approximately $112,000;

6. A Sheriff’s Department correctional officer restored to a full-time position, at a cost of approximately $42,000;

7. A deputy prosecuting attorney restored to a full-time position, at a cost of approximately $45,000;

8. The Department of Emergency Management manager funded out of the general fund, at a cost of approximately $50,000;

9. Reducing the number of days the County is closed for business, at a cost of approximately $140,000;

10. Maintenance o f County buildings and grounds, at a cost of approximately $18,000;

11. Protection of island waters by funding the maintenance of Islands’ Oil Spill Association emergency response equipment, at a cost of $8,000.