PORT TOWNSEND — About 20 people showed up to hear about two Port Townsend ballot measures at a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County and the American Association of University Women this week.
Both measures will be presented to Port Townsend voters on the Feb. 10 ballot.
The city is sponsoring a bond issue for the repair and renovation of the Mountain View complex for a maximum of $3.6 million.
The Port Townsend School District is seeking to renew its maintenance-and-operations levy, which if approved would net the school district $14.6 million over a four-year period.
“This is far more than just money; it reflects the community values and support for education,” said former Port of Port Townsend Commissioner John Collins of the levy measure.
“Many of us here are empty nesters, but at some point, we did have kids in schools, and they are now just as important to us now as it is for young parents.”
The levy is necessary to continue many school programs, according to Port Townsend School Board member Jennifer James-Wilson, who attended the forum moderated by Katherine Baril at the Port Townsend Recreation Center on Wednesday night.
“It’s not dramatic or hyperbolic to say there is almost nothing in the school district that isn’t touched by levy money,” James-Wilson said.
“It is essential to almost everything that we do.”
The school measure would impose an estimated tax on property owners of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value, or $375 for a $250,000 home. Collection would begin in 2016.
It would be used for educational programs, extracurricular support and facilities.
The rate for the current levy, which will expire this year, is $1.56 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The amount of rate increase is estimated to be about 2 cents per $1,000 a year, according to finance manager Sarah Bonneville, which would represent an annual increase of $5 for a $250,000 home.
Mountain View bond
Jeff Randall of Mountain View Proponents said he has talked to voters who oppose or are undecided about the bond issue but wins them over because “there is something at Mountain View that benefits everyone in the community.”
“The people who are against this may have a lack of trust for the city, who might be against taxes or have issues with debt, but as I met with people and talked to them, I found they appreciate at least one thing about Mountain View,” Randall said.
Tenants at the former elementary school at 1925 Blaine St. include the Port Townsend Police Department, the Port Townsend Food Bank, Jefferson County YMCA, the ReCyclery, the KPTZ 91.9 FM radio station, Working Image, the Olympic Peninsula chapter of the Red Cross and the only public pool in Jefferson County.
The bond would fund installation of a new heating system, roof repairs, city pool maintenance and fixing other structural issues.
If the Mountain View bond is approved, property owners would pay for only part of the cost of repairs. The measure would mean a property tax increase of no more than 13 cents per $1,000 of valuation for 15 years.
If approved, the full increase would first appear on the 2017 tax statement, although property owners would most likely see a 5-cents-per-$1,000-of-valuation increase in 2016.
James-Wilson said she knew of no organized opposition to the levy proposal.
“There is no outreach to people who are opposed because quite honestly, I don’t know who they are,” she said.
There were no critical comments or questions from the audience about the proposals.
Chimacum voters
On the Feb. 10 ballot for voters in the Chimacum School District is a $34.8 million bond proposal that would fund renovation and expansion of Chimacum Creek Primary School and the district’s main campus, including the auditorium.
It also would fund construction of a new athletic complex with a stadium, field and track, and support for other infrastructure improvements.
If approved, the measure would impose an estimated tax on property owners by $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value, or $375 for a $250,000 home. Collection would begin in 2016.
All will require a turnout equal to 40 percent who voted in the Nov. 4 general election.
The school measure requires a simple majority of 50 percent plus one vote, while the Mountain View and Chimacum school bonds require 60 percent majorities to pass.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
