Primary Contact Email: jlassite@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
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Appointment of members to serve on pro and con statement writing committees for a proposed ballot measure proposing a levy above the regular property tax limitations for the purpose of funding childcare, early learning programs, and increased support for vulnerable children.
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SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Per RCW 29A.32.280, the Council will formally appoint a committee to prepare arguments advocating voters' approval of the measure listed below and will formally appoint a committee to prepare arguments advocating voters' rejection of the same measure. The Council will appoint persons known to favor the measure to serve on the committee advocating approval and shall, whenever possible, appoint persons known to oppose the measure to serve on the committee advocating rejection. Each committee shall have not more than three members, however, a committee may seek the advice of any person or persons. If the Council fails to make such appointments, the County Auditor shall, whenever possible, make the appointments.
PROPOSAL: LIFT OF THE LIMIT ON REGULAR PROPERTY TAXES UNDER CHAPTER 84.55 RCW FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING CHILDCARE, EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS, AND INCREASED SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN
On June 7, 2022 the Whatcom County Council adopted an ordinance requesting the Whatcom County Auditor include on the ballot, in a special election to be held concurrently with the November 8, 2022 general election, a proposition to the qualified voters of the County to approve or reject a levy above the regular property tax limitations established in RCW 84.55.010 for the funding of childcare and early childhood programs to improve kindergarten readiness and funding for support of homeless and otherwise vulnerable children. The proposed levy lid lift authorized by this proposition would permit the County to increase its regular property tax levy by $0.19 per $1000 of assessed valuation, resulting in a regular property tax levy of $0.94 per $1000 of assessed valuation for collection in 2023 (calculated using the regular property tax rate in 2022, based on total assessed value in 2021), and to increase the levy thereafter as allowed by chapter 84.55 RCW to allow for the uninterrupted continuation of the levy lid lift for a term of ten (10) years. The amount collected in 2023 and in the following 9 years will be approximately $8,200,000.00 annually. Pursuant to RCW 84.55.050(5), the maximum regular property taxes that may be levied in 2032 for collection in 2033 and in later years shall be computed as if the proposition under this resolution had not been approved.