HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAG2020-012 - Original - King County - Parks Property Tax Levy Agreement - 02/10/2020 Agreement Routing Form �°
KEN T For Approvals,Signatures and Records Management Director initials 1
W ASH IN G T 0 N
This form combines&replaces the Request for Mayor's signature and Contract Cover Sheet forms.
(Print on pink or cherry colored paper) Manager initials
Originator: Terry J u n g m a n Department: Parks
Date Sent: 01/08/2020 Date Required: Soonest possible please
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Number: Type: N/A
Vendor g y Name: Kin Count Category: Interlocal
Vendor 34116
Sub-Category
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M Name: Parks Property Tax Levy Agreement
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a Start Date: TBD-'Commencement Date' Termination Date: 12/31/2025
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Visit Documents.KentWA.gov to obtain copies of all agreements
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PARKS PROPERTY TAX LEVY AGREEMENT
between
KING COUNTY & (CITY) KENT
This arks Property Tax Levy Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of this
/ day of , 2020,by and between KING COUNTY,a political subdivision of the
state of Washington (the "County") and the City of KENT a State of
Washington municipal corporation ("CITY").
RECITALS
A. The County owns and operates a park system with over twenty-eight thousand (28,000) acres
of regional parks and open spaces, over one-hundred-seventy-five (175) miles of regional
trails, and two-hundred-fifteen (215) miles of backcountry trails. In addition, the County is
the provider of local parks in the rural area and is the transitional provider of local parks in the
urban incorporated 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 17, 2019, the King County Council adopted Ordinance 18890 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 6,2019, King County voters approved Proposition No. 1 Parks Levy that authorized
an additional six year property tax levy at a rate of$0.1832 in the first year, with subsequent
levies adjusted by inflation for the purpose of: maintaining and operating King County's open
space system; improving parks,recreation,access,and mobility in the King County open space
system by acquiring lands and continuing to develop 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; finding capital construction at the Seattle Aquarium; and funding for capital
improvements at publicly owned pools, for all King County residents.
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:
King County Parks Property Tax Levy
2020-2025 Agreement
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 3 1"beginning in 2021 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, and a listing of all capital investments made at the CITY funded in whole
or in part by County Levy Proceeds, and for the 2020 annual report the CITY shall
identify the dollar amount of the CITY's Existing Funds.
B. "CITY" shall mean the City of KENT , 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 Proceeds" shall mean eight percent (8%) of the total County Levy Proceeds
collected by King County, net the amounts specified and allocated in Ordinance 18890
Sections 4A-D, and any interest earnings on these funds.
E. "CITY Projects" shall mean CITY Parks System operations and capital improvement
projects consistent with Ordinance 18890.
F. "CITY'S Share" shall mean the CITY's proportionate share of the City Proceeds as
authorized by Ordinance 18890, 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 6, 2019 and replaced a levy expiring
at the end of 2019.
J. "County Levy Proceeds" shall mean the principal amount of the County Levy collected
by the County.
K. "Executive" shall mean the King County Executive or his or her functional successor.
L. "Existing funds" shall have the meaning, as defined by RCW 84.55.050.
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2020-2025 Agreement
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, 2025 (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 18890, subject to County Council appropriation.
B. Receipt and Distribution of Levy Proceeds.
1. Payment Schedule. Beginning in 2020 and through 2025, 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 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 Proceeds for eligible expenditures related to the administration of
the distribution of County Levy Proceeds, consistent with Ordinance 18890.
4. Use of County Levy Proceeds. The CITY shall only use the transferred CITY'S Share for
its CITY Projects. On or before May 315t 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 and that such funds shall not be used to supplant Existing Funds. The CITY
represents and warrants that all CITY Projects shall be consistent with the requirements in
King County Ordinance 18890. The CITY represents and warrants that in addition to the
CITY'S Share, the CITY shall annually expend on CITY Projects an amount equal to the
CITY's Existing Funds.
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
means;however,neither party may give official or binding notice except by personal delivery
or by certified mail.
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King County Parks Property Tax Levy
2020-2025 Agreement
If to the CITY:
CITY's Contact and Title: Terry Jungman, Parks Planning& Dev. Manager
City Name: City of Kent
Mailing Address1: 220 Fourth Avenue South
Mailing Address2:
City, State,Zip Code: Kent, WA 98032
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-0700
Seattle, WA 98104
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.
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
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King County Parks Property Tax Levy
2020-2025 Agreement
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 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 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.
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.
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King County Parks Property Tax Levy
2020-2025 Agreement
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 capital project funded with County Levy Proceeds, the CITY shall
provide a sign including the following language: This project was funded (or as
applicable, funded in part) with proceeds from the Proposition No. 1 Parks Levy
approved by King County voters in August 2019 under an Agreement with King
County Parks and Recreation Division.
K. Reporting. As set forth in King County Council Motion 15378,section C,for each capital
project funded with County Levy Proceeds, the CITY shall report to King County Parks
and the King County Council major milestones, such as groundbreakings and opening
dates,thirty (30) days prior to such milestone. The CITY shall mail or deliver reports to
both King County Parks and the current King County Council councilmembers at:
Warren Jimenez, Division Director
King County Parks and Recreation Division
Department of Natural Resources and Parks
201 South Jackson Street
Mailstop: KSC-NR-0700
Seattle, WA 98104
Councilmembers: (please list all 9 councilmembers)
In care of King County Council Clerk
516 3rd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
[ SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS ]
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King County Parks Property Tax Levy
2020-2025 Agreement
DATED this L day of VAA- , 2020.
KING COUNTY, a Washington municipal CITY OF KENT a
corporation Washington municipal corporation
1
By By
Mayor
Its ✓ Its Ma Y
By authority of Ordinance No. 18890
Page 7 of 7
EXHIBIT A
1200 King County
King County Courthouse
516 Third Avenue
am Seattle,WA 98104
King County
Legislation Details (With Text)
File#: 2019-0084 Version: 2
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 2/27/2019 In control: Budget and Fiscal Management Committee
On agenda: Final action: 4/17/2019
Enactment date: Enactment#: 18890
Title: AN ORDINANCE providing for the submission to the qualified electors of King County at a special
election to be held in King County on August 6, 2019, of a proposition authorizing a property tax levy
in excess of the levy limitation contained in chapter 84.55 RCW for a period of six consecutive years,
at a total rate of not more than $0.1832 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 the King County
open space system by acquiring lands and continuing to develop 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 capital construction at the Seattle Aquarium; and funding for capital improvements at publicly
owned pools, for all King County residents.
Sponsors: Claudia Balducci, Pete von Reichbauer, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Joe McDermott, Rod Dembowski
Indexes: levy, Natural Resources, Department of, Parks and Recreation
Code sections:
Attachments: 1. Ordinance 18890.pdf, 2. A. Open Space, Natural Lands and Urban Green Space Acquisition
Guidelines, 3. B. Targeted Equity Grant Program Guidelines, 4. 2019-0084 transmittal letter, 5. 2019-
0084 Financial Plan, 6. 2019-0084 Fiscal Note, 7. 2019-0084 King County Parks Capital Program, 8.
2019-0084 Parks Operating Financial Plan, 9. 2019-0084_SR_02272019_ParksLevy_RPC-v3, 10.
ATT6_2019 Election Dates Memo Revised, 11. ATT5. Allocation of Levy Proceeds to the Parks Capital
Portfolio, 12. ATT6_2019 Election Dates Memo Revised, 13. 2019-
0084_SR_031319_ParksLevy_RPC, 14. 2019-0084_SR_032619_ParksLevy_RPC akjg_sp, 15.
ATT8. Parks Levy High Level Comparison Matrix_BFM Chair's Striker ak, 16. ATT10.2019-
0084_S1_ParksLevy_03252019khmv2 bar 3-25-19, 17. 2019-0084 S2 khm wshv4 bar 3-27-19, 18.
2019-0084_AmendmentstoS2LevyOrdinance, 19. 2019-0084_and 2019-
0142 SR dated 04152019 ParksLevy_BFM
Date Ver. Action By Action Result
4/17/2019 2 Metropolitan King County Council Hearing held/closed and passed Pass
4/15/2019 2 Budget and Fiscal Management Recommended Do Pass Pass
Committee
3/28/2019 1 Regional Policy Committee Recommended Do Pass Substitute Pass
3/13/2019 1 Regional Policy Committee Deferred
2/27/2019 1 Regional Policy Committee Deferred
2/27/2019 1 Metropolitan King County Council Introduced and Referred
AN ORDINANCE providing for the submission to the qualified electors of King
County at a special election to be held in King County on August 6, 2019, of a
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EXHIBIT A
File#: 2019-0084, Version: 2
proposition authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the levy limitation
contained in chapter 84.55 RCW for a period of six consecutive years, at a total
rate of not more than $0.1832 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 the King
County open space system by acquiring lands and continuing to develop 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
capital construction at the Seattle Aquarium; and funding for capital
improvements at publicly owned pools, for all King County residents.
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. King County owns and operates a system of regional and local parks and trails that consists
of twenty-eight thousand acres of parklands and more than one hundred seventy-five miles of
regional trails. The county provides regional trails, regional recreational facilities, regional
natural areas, regional parks and local parks in unincorporated areas. Examples of regional
county parks and trails include Marymoor park, Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland park, the
Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center and the Sammamish River trail.
2. Parks, natural areas and trails contribute to a high quality of life. A robust system of parks
and trails provides physical, social and mental health benefits to individuals; economic
opportunity through recreation and tourism; economic growth for private businesses that must
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EXHIBIT
File M 2019-0084, Version: 2
attract and retain skilled workers; and environmental benefits and cultural resource protection
through open space conservation. King County's open space system provides all these benefits
to King County residents and businesses.
3. The 2002 Parks Business Transition Plan, adopted by the King County council and enacted
by Ordinance 14509, became the blueprint for establishing the regional open space system we
have today. Building on that blueprint, the county has adopted open space plans, which have
provided the framework guiding King County in the acquisition, planning, development,
stewardship, maintenance and management of its complex system of parks, regional trails and
acres of open space. The latest open space plan was updated in 2016 and adopted by Ordinance
18309.
4. In implementing the open space plan, the parks and recreation division of the department of
natural resources and parks has successfully focused its lines of business on regional parks and
trails, backcountry trails, natural lands and local parks in unincorporated King County and has
implemented business practices that generate revenue from park system assets by implementing
or increasing user fees and establishing corporate and community partnerships that enhance park
amenities and leverage public and private dollars to improve parks and increase access to parks.
5. Consistent with the recommendations of past parks-related task forces, the county has sought
voter-approved levies on three prior occasions: in 2003, enacted by Ordinance 14586, to
provide maintenance and operating funding for the parks and recreation division for 2004
through 2007; in 2007, enacted by Ordinance 15759, to provide funding for maintenance and
operations as well as funding for open space acquisition, regional trail development, the
Woodland Park Zoo and for King County towns and cities for use in their open space acquisition
and trail projects for 2008 through 2013; and in 2013, enacted by Ordinance 17568, to provide
funding for maintenance and operations as well as for open space acquisition, asset maintenance
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EXHIBIT A
File M 2019-0084, Version: 2
and improvement, parks and trails projects, the Woodland Park Zoo and for King County towns
and cities to use for their parks and recreation for 2014 through 2019. Voters approved the
funding measures on all three occasions that they were on the ballot. The voter-approved levies
have helped keep the open space system clean, safe and open.
6. The 2014 through 2019 voter-approved parks,trails and open space replacement levy
provides approximately eighty percent of the operating budget of the parks and recreation
division, with approximately thirteen percent generated through business activities and
entrepreneurial efforts. King County general fund support to the parks and recreation division
was eliminated as of 2011.
7. The community partnerships and grants program enacted by Ordinance 14509 enhances parks
amenities by partnering with parks and recreation organizations. Since the inception of the
community partnership and grant program in 2003, more than sixty projects representing more
than sixty million dollars'worth of new, enhanced, or preserved public recreation facilities have
been completed, with only eighteen million dollars of King County capital investment.
8. The Woodland Park Zoo received distributions from the past two voter-approved levies to
supplement zoo operating revenue for education and conservation programs, horticulture and
maintenance and capital improvements. Levy proceeds distributed to the zoo provided
environmental education,programming and transportation focusing on accessibility for
underserved areas, supported thousands of students annually and benefitted residents throughout
King County. Levy proceeds also provided conservation and animal care for threatened Pacific
Northwest species.
9. King County towns and cities received funding from the past two voter-approved levies. In
2008 through 2013,towns and cities could use levy proceeds for open space and natural lands
acquisition and development of town or city trail projects that supported connections to the
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EXHIBIT A
File #: 2019-0084, Version: 2
regional trail system with distributions being contingent upon an equal or greater contribution of
matching moneys from the recipient town or city for the same project. In the 2014 through 2019
levy, types of uses for the distribution to King County towns and cities were broadened to
provide flexibility and better meet the parks and recreation needs of cities.
10. Parks levy oversight committees were established to monitor the expenditures of the
proceeds from the 2004 through 2007, 2008 through 2013 and 2014 through 2019 levies.
Annual committee review has concluded that the county has complied with all levy requirements.
11. King County is growing rapidly as a region. In 2017, King County's population increased
by close to fifty thousand people; and over the next ten years,the region is expected to grow by
another one hundred eighty thousand people. Recent surveys have indicated that since 2008, the
number of people who hike in natural area parks has doubled. More and more people are using
the King County parks and trails,which puts greater pressure on an aging system. As
development increases to accommodate population growth,the risk of losing natural lands and
green spaces throughout the county grows. Those valuable lands contribute to King County
residents' high quality of life. The cost of land to accommodate this growth and preserve open
spaces is also increasing. Today is the opportune time to address future needs of residents by
investing in our parks and trails and accelerating conservation of open space.
12. In King County, many communities have experienced a history of inequitable and limited
regional investments in parks, recreation and open space, limiting the ability of residents to lead
healthy lives. Five hundred thousand King County residents live without ready access to, parks,
recreation and open spaces. There is a need to address disparities in access to parks, recreation
and open space for underserved areas and communities, including people with disabilities. This
proposal provides an opportunity to address parks and recreation needs of these underserved
areas and communities.
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EXHIBIT
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13. Recognizing growth in population, increased use of parks and trails and the need to address
disparities in preparation for the 2020 through 2025 levy,the parks and recreation division
conducted outreach to obtain feedback on the current park system and future parks and
recreation needs for all King County residents. From August through November 2018,parks
and recreation division staff conducted fifty-four in-person engagement meetings with groups
representing all geographic areas of the county including towns and cities, business, recreation,
community and environmental interests. An online survey was also conducted from November
to December 2018, and received one thousand nine hundred thirty-four responses from the
public, representing all geographic areas of the county.
14. The feedback from the engagement meetings and online survey showed support for the King
County open space system. Engagement findings showed support for maintenance and
operations of the open space system, as well as critical infrastructure repair and replacement, and
the acquisition, conservation and stewardship of open space, as such lands can provide for
passive or active recreation opportunities and protection of habitat and water quality, and the
development of and improvements on regional trail corridors. Feedback supported funding for
King County towns' and cities'parks and recreation programs;the Woodland Park Zoological
Society education and conservation programs and horticulture, maintenance and capital
improvements; and recognized the Seattle Aquarium as a regional asset.
15. The King County executive took into consideration information obtained from this outreach,
the region's growing population, increased use of parks and trails across King County, and the
lack of parks, recreation and open space in some communities, and has put forth this proposal
which acknowledges the changing landscape and the need to grow the open space system to
keep up with demand from the region. This proposal is also consistent with the goals and
priorities of past levy task forces.
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EXHIBIT A
File#: 2019-0084, Version: 2
16. This proposal would exempt low-income senior citizens, disabled veterans and other people
with disabilities from the regular property tax increase on their residences resulting from a levy
authorized by this ordinance, if they have been approved for an exemption under RC W
84.36.381.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Definitions. The definitions in this section apply throughout this ordinance unless the
context clearly requires otherwise.
A. "Community partnerships and grants program" means the program through which King County
provides moneys to recreation-oriented groups, sports associations and community-based organizations to
undertake any combination of developing, operating or maintaining a recreation facility or public park in
unincorporated King County and King County towns and cities for public benefit.
B. "Integrated floodplain management" means habitat restoration, open space acquisition or
recreational opportunities that are integrated with preventive and corrective measures to reduce the risk of
flooding.
C. "Levy" means the levy of regular property taxes, for the specific purposes and term provided in this
ordinance and authorized by the electorate in accordance with state law.
D. "Levy proceeds" means the principal amount of moneys raised by the levy, any interest earnings on
the moneys and the proceeds of any interim financing following authorization of the levy.
E. "Limit factor" means the most recent published King County office of economic and financial
analysis King County inflation plus population index, or the limitation contained in chapter 84.55 RCW,
whichever is greater.
F. "Open space system" means the system that includes parks, trails, natural areas, resource lands and
structures or buildings owned or otherwise under the jurisdiction of the parks and recreation division of the
department of natural resources and parks. For the purposes of this ordinance, with reference to King County,
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the term "open space lands" shall collectively refer to natural areas and resource lands.
G. "Targeted equity grant program" means the program through which King County provides moneys
in order to achieve equitable opportunities and access to parks and recreation for underserved areas and
communities, including people with disabilities, located in unincorporated King County and King County
towns and cities.
H. "Town or city parks system" means 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 a town or city within King County.
SECTION 2. Levy submittal to voters. To provide necessary moneys for the purposes identified in
section 4 of this ordinance, the King County council shall submit to the qualified electors of the county a
proposition authorizing a regular property tax levy in excess of the levy limitation contained in chapter 84.55
RCW for six consecutive years, with collection commencing in 2020, at a rate not to exceed$0.1832 per one
thousand dollars of assessed value in the first year of the levy period. The dollar amount of the levy in the first
year shall be the base upon which the levy amounts in year two through six shall be calculated. In accordance
with RCW 84.55.050,this levy shall be a regular property tax levy subject to the limit factor.
SECTION 3. Deposit of levy proceeds. The levy proceeds shall be deposited into a dedicated subfund
of the parks and recreation fund, or its successor.
SECTION 4. Eligible expenditures. If approved by the qualified electors of the county, levy proceeds
shall be used for the following purposes:
A. Costs incurred by the county that are attributable to the special election called for in section 5 of this
ordinance.
B. Up to eight million dollars to the Seattle Aquarium from the first four years of the levy. Levy
proceeds for the Seattle Aquarium shall solely be for capital costs for the Ocean Pavilion project, except as
provided in subsection E.S. of this section.
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C. Up to forty-four million dollars to publicly owned pools for: capital improvement projects,
including planning, feasibility studies, preconstruction and design, construction; and major maintenance repair
or replacement projects.
D. Up to twenty-two million dollars to habitat restoration, open space acquisition or recreational
opportunities, or any combination thereof, associated with integrated floodplain management capital
improvement projects and to outreach and education related to the benefits of integrated floodplain
management projects.
E. The remainder of levy proceeds shall be used for the following purposes:
1. Forty percent of levy proceeds for maintenance and operations of King County's open space system
and the targeted equity grant program, but no more than ten million dollars may be used for the targeted equity
grant program;
2. Forty-seven percent of levy proceeds for:
a. acquisition, conservation and stewardship of additional open space lands, natural areas, resource or
ecological lands, rights of way for regional trails and urban green spaces;
b. acquisition of rights of way for and development of regional and other public trails;
c. capital improvement projects and major maintenance repair or replacement of open space system
infrastructure;
d. community partnerships and grants program; and
e. capital improvement projects and major maintenance repair or replacement of parks or recreation
infrastructure in metropolitan park districts, towns or cities;
3. Eight percent of levy proceeds for distribution to towns and cities in King County for their town or
city parks system operations and capital improvement projects, of which amount:
a. twenty-five thousand dollars shall be distributed annually to each town and city;
b. an additional seventy-five thousand dollars shall be distributed annually to cities with a population
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greater than four thousand;
c. of the remainder, fifty percent shall be distributed in proportion to each town or city's population
and fifty percent shall be distributed in proportion to the assessed value of parcels within each town or city;
4. Five percent of levy proceeds for distribution to the Woodland Park Zoological Society shall be
used solely for: environmental education with an emphasis on accessibility to traditionally underserved
populations throughout the county; horticulture and maintenance of buildings and grounds; conservation of
threatened species; and development of conservation and education strategies to mitigate impacts to animals
and habitats from climate change; and
5. Of the levy proceeds in subsections B., C., D., E.2.e., E.3. and EA. of this section, a portion shall be
retained by the county to be used for expenditures related to administration of the distribution of levy proceeds.
Eligible administrative expenditures shall include all costs and charges to the parks and recreation division or
the county associated with or attributable to the purposes listed in subsections B., C., D., E.2.e., E.3. and E.4. of
this section as well as sections 6 and 7 of this ordinance. Consistent with RCW 84.55.050, as it may be
amended, levy proceeds may not supplant existing funding.
SECTION 5. Call for special election. In accordance with RCW 29A.04.321,the King County
council hereby calls for a special election to be held in conjunction with the primary election on August 6,
2019,to consider a proposition authorizing a regular property tax levy for the purposes described in this
ordinance. The King County director of elections shall cause notice to be given of this ordinance in accordance
with the state constitution and general law and to submit to the qualified electors of the county, at the said
special county election, the proposition hereinafter set forth. The clerk of the council shall certify that
proposition to the King County director of elections in substantially the following form, with such additions,
deletions or modifications as may be required for the proposition listed below by the prosecuting attorney:
The King County council passed Ordinance concerning replacement of an expiring parks
levy. If approved,this proposition would provide funding for county, town, city and park district
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parks, and for open space,trails, recreation, public pools,zoo operations and an aquarium capital
project. It would authorize an additional six-year property tax beginning in 2020 at$0.1832 per
$1,000 of assessed valuation with the 2020 levy amount being the base for calculating annual
increases in 2021 - 2025 by the King County inflation plus population index or the 84.55 RCW
limitation, whichever is greater. Should this proposition be:
Approved?
Rejected?_
SECTION 6. Distributions. Each distribution of levy proceeds to a King County town or city,the
Woodland Park Zoological Society or its successor, or the Seattle Aquarium or its successor, for the eligible
purposes identified in section 4 of this ordinance shall be subject to the execution of a contract between the
county and each entity for the same purposes. Distribution of levy proceeds shall be subject to the execution of
a contract for: the targeted equity grant program; publicly owned pool capital improvement projects and major
maintenance repair or replacement projects; integrated floodplain management capital improvement projects
and outreach and education; capital improvement projects and major maintenance repair or replacement
projects to parks or recreation infrastructure in metropolitan park districts,towns or cities; and acquisition,
conservation and stewardship of additional natural areas, resource or ecological lands, rights of way for
regional trails and urban green spaces.
SECTION 7. Parks levy oversight board established.
A. If the proposition in section 5 of this ordinance is approved by the qualified electors of King County,
a parks levy oversight board shall be appointed by the executive. The board shall consist of nine members.
Each councilmember shall nominate a candidate for the board who resides in the councilmember's district no
later than March 31, 2020. If the executive does not appoint by May 31, 2020,the person nominated by a
councilmember, the executive must request that the councilmember should by June 30, 2020, nominate another
candidate for appointment. Members shall be confirmed by the council. Members may not be elected or
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appointed officials of any unit of government, except that individuals serving in a civic capacity on a local
board or commission would be eligible to serve on the parks levy oversight board.
B. The board shall review the allocation of levy proceeds and progress on achieving the purposes of
this proposition. On or before December 31, 2021, the board shall review and report to the King County
executive, the King County council and the regional policy committee on the expenditure of levy proceeds for
2020. Thereafter, the board shall review and report to the King County executive, the King County council and
the regional policy committee annually. Any report to the King County council under this section shall be
made in the form of a paper original and an electronic copy with the clerk of the council, who shall retain the
original and provide an electronic copy to all councilmembers. The board expires December 31, 2026.
SECTION 8. Exemption. The additional regular property taxes authorized by this ordinance shall be
included in any real property tax exemption authorized by RCW 84.36.381.
SECTION 9. Ratification. Certification of the proposition by the clerk of the King County council to
the director of elections in accordance with law before the election on August 6, 2019, and any other acts
consistent with the authority and before the effective date of this ordinance are hereby ratified and confirmed.
SECTION 10. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any person or
circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance or the application of the provision to other persons
or circumstances is not affected.
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King County Parks 2020 Budget Highlights
• Programs first year of funding(-$115M)according to levy plan
• Continue to operate, maintain, and repair existing King County Parks system
• Grow and connect regional open space and accelerate land conservation
• Build and improve regional trails and mobility (e.g. Eastrail, Lake to Sound, Interurban South)
• Launch new and expanded grants programs that increase access to recreation and open
space
• Launch the youth conservation corps, an internship program for high school students
• Increase access to recreation through direct funding to 39 towns and cities, Woodland
Park Zoo, and Seattle Aquarium
2020 Estimated Parks Levy Proceeds $114,703,035
Reimbursement of Election Costs $1,522,000
Seattle Aquarium $1,941,750
Pools Capital Grant Program (includes$2.3M for KCAquatic Center) $3,425,000
Open Space Floodplains Grants $1,712,500
King County Parks Operating Fund (includes$1.5M for equity grants) $42,440,714
King County Parks Capital Program $49,867,839
• Open Space Acquisition/Land Conservation $13,494,486
• Regional and Public Trails $25,802,286
• Recreation Repair and Renovation $5,880,000
• Cities Capital Grant Program $2,780,000
• Community Partnerships and Grants $1,412,000
• Levy Administration Contribution $498,674
Cities within King County $8,488,143
• Distribution across 39 Cities $8,403,262
• Levy Administration Contribution $84,881
Woodland Park Zoo $5,305,089
• Distribution to Woodland Park Zoo $5,278,564
• Levy Administration Contribution $26,525
Total Budget $114,703,035
EXHIBIT
2020 1 2 3 **
City Total $251K $751K AV/Population Assessed Value Population
Algona $32,000 $25,000 $0 $7,000 $582,509,640 3,190
Auburn $241,000 $25,000 $75,000 $141,000 $10,192,926,423 71,740
Beaux Arts Village $26,000 $25,000 $0 $1,000 $201,865,564 300
Bellevue $592,000 $25,000 $75,000 $492,000 $64,986,181,741 145,300
Black Diamond $110,000 $25,000 $75,000 $10,000 $868,851,309 4,525
Bothell $169,000 $25,000 $75,000 $69,000 $6,728,399,945 28,570
Burien $202,000 $25,000 $75,000 $102,000 $7,326,499,056 52,000
Carnation $30,000 $25,000 $0 $5,000 $348,969,934 2,220
Clyde Hill $43,000 $25,000 $0 $18,000 $2,942,813,919 3,055
Covington $139,000 $25,000 $75,000 $39,000 $2,751,011,207 20,280
Des Moines $162,000 $25,000 $75,000 $62,000 $4,356,985,778 31,580
Duvall $116,000 $25,000 $75,000 $16,000 $1,324,903,905 7,840
Enumclaw $123,000 $25,000 $75,000 $23,000 $1,557,893,969 12,200
Federal Way $281,000 $25,000 $75,000 $181,000 $11,393,138,728 97,840
Hunts Point $31,000 $25,000 $0 $6,000 $1,265,054,838 420
Issaquah $203,000 $25,000 $75,000 $103,000 $11,567,549,438 37,590
Kenmore $153,000 $25,000 $75,000 $53,000 $4,874,138,483 23,320
K t $366,000 .. ,, ► .. ..,�,,. .. 0,7 9A 9,4,64 129;800,
Kirkland $353,000 $25,000 $75,000 $253,000 N $29,518,466,256 88,940
Lake Forest Park $132,000 $25,000 $75,000 $32,000 $3,251,063,509 13,250
Maple Valley $153,000 $25,000 $75,000 $53,000 $4,127,677,216 26,180
Medina $50,000 $25,000 $0 $25,000 $4,479,103,670 3,245
Mercer Island $200,000 $25,000 $75,000 $100,000 $14,686,554,631 24,470
Milton $27,000 $25,000 $0 $2,000 $120,768,488 1,195
Newcastle $133,000 $25,000 $75,000 $33,000 $3,624,539,957 12,450
Normandy Park $117,000 $25,000 $75,000 $17,000 $1,722,967,331 6,610
North Bend $116,000 $25,000 $75,000 $16,000 $1,466,838,997 6,965
Pacific $112,000 $25,000 $75,000 $12,000 $605,190,919 6,875
Redmond $296,000 $25,000 $75,000 $196,000 $23,766,332,331 65,860
Renton $326,000 $25,000 $75,000 $226,000 $19,152,024,315 104,700
Sammamish $272,000 $25,000 $75,000 $172,000 $18,871,723,019 64,410
Seatac $169,000 $25,000 $75,000 $69,000 $6,717,932,343 29,180
Seattle $2,214,000 $25,000 $75,000 $2,114,000 $244,938,709,301 747,300
Shoreline $225,000 $25,000 $75,000 $125,000 $10,942,263,005 56,370
Skykomish $25,400 $25,000 $0 $400 $30,098,074 205
Snoqualmie $134,000 $25,000 $75,000 $34,000 $3,469,519,169 13,670
Tukwila $158,000 $25,000 $75,000 $58,000 $6,685,919,176 20,930
Woodinville $136,000 $25,000 $75,000 $36,000 $4,173,910,805 12,410
Yarrow Point $33,000 $25,000 $0 $8,000 $1,396,430,058 1,040
$8,400,0001 $975,000 $2,250,000 $5,175,000
Notes
1. "twenty-five thousand dollars shall be distributed annually to each town and city;"
2. "an additional seventy-five thousand dollars shall be distributed annually to cities with a population greater than four
thousand;"
3. "of the remainder,fifty percent shall be distributed in proportion to each town or city's population and fifty percent
shall be distributed in proportion to the assessed value of parcels within each town or city;"
Data Source
*AV: King County Assessor's Office 2018 Assessed Value for 2019 Tax Year
(to be updated in a few months with 2019 AV for 2020 Tax Year)
** Population:OFM April 1,2019 Population of Cities,Towns and Counties