PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County commissioners and the Port Townsend City Council both will consider Monday a joint agreement to provide maintenance for Memorial Field and the Port Townsend Community Center for the next four years — if voters approve a sales tax increase.
“This is an example of how the two jurisdictions can work together in a way that benefits them both,” County Administrator Philip Morley said Friday after meeting with City Manager David Timmons for about two hours Thursday.
Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval and County Commisioner David Sullivan were also present at the meeting.
The three county commissioners will consider approving the agreement Monday, during the regular commissioners meeting that will begin at 9 a.m. in the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St.
The Port Townsend City Council has called a special business meeting at 8:30 p.m. Monday to consider the agreement. The meeting will be in council chambers at 540 Water St.
Morley said on Friday that the agreement is the first step toward providing a uniform parks and recreation program for the entire county.
Even if both entities approve the pact, the money to implement it depends upon voters agreeing to raise the county sales tax.
The county has put a measure on the Nov. 2 ballot that would raise sales tax by 0.3 percent, from the present 8.4 percent to 8.7 percent, or 3 cents for every $10 purchase.
If approved, the sales tax would take effect April 1, 2011.
Projected revenue from the measure would be $1,062,000. Of that, it is estimated, $637,000 would go to Jefferson County, which projects a $900,000 county shortfall in 2011.
Forty percent of the tax increase revenue, an estimated $425,000, would, by law, go to Port Townsend.
The terms of the proposed agreement between the city and county are that if voters approve the tax hike, half of what the city receives would go to maintain Memorial Field and the Port Townsend Community Center for four years.
The revenue would provide “enough for the two valuable community assets to stay open, offer new programs and make necessary improvements,” Morley said.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
