Local measures on the ballot in Washington state

SEATTLE — General elections will be held today, Nov. 4, throughout Washington state.

Ballots must either be postmarked on Nov. 4 or put into a drop-off box by 8:00 p.m. tonight.

There are ten local jurisdictions with ballot measures, as well as five statewide measures.

This information and more can be found at the embedded link, under the King County Elections page.

Local measures on the ballot include as follows, by city:

BOTHELL: Proposition No. 1 – Parks and Public Space Bonds

‘This proposition would authorize the City to acquire and develop new parks, parkways, recreational improvements, public spaces and pedestrian enhancements; issue general obligation bonds in the principal amount not to exceed $42 million, maturing within a maximum of 25 years; and, levy property taxes annually in addition to regular tax levies to repay these bonds, all as provided in Ordinance No. 2149.’

CARNATION: Proposition No. 1 – Levy for Police Services

‘This proposition would increase the regular property tax rate for collection in 2015 to $1.83925 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The dollar amount of the 2015 levy would permanently be used for the purpose of computing the limitations for subsequent levies provided for under Chapter 84.55 RCW.’

KENT: Proposition No. A – General Obligation Public Safety and Training Facilities Bonds

‘This proposition authorizes public safety improvements – constructing and equipping new police headquarters, improving the firearms training range, improving the city’s jail, and completing other training and public safety facilities – to be funded through the issuance of up to $34,000,000 in city general obligation bonds, maturing within 20 years, and annual property tax levies in excess of regular property tax levies, as needed to repay the bonds (estimated average levy rate of about 19 cents per $1,000 assessed value).’

NORTH BEND: Proposition No. 1 – Sales and Use Tax Increase of 0.1% for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Purposes

‘If approved, this proposition would authorize the City to impose an additional sales and use tax of 0.1%, split between the City (85%) and King County (15%) as required by state law. City proceeds shall be used for public safety and criminal justice purposes as allowed by RCW 82.14.450.’

SEATTLE: Proposition Numbers 1A and 1B (Childcare and Preschool)

'Proposition No. 1A (Initiative 107) would establish a $15 minimum wage for childcare workers (phased in over three years for employers with under 250 employees), seek to reduce childcare costs to 10% or less of family income, prohibit violent felons from providing professional childcare, require enhanced training and certification through a training institute, create a workforce board and establish a fund to help providers meet standards, and hire an organization to facilitate communication between the City and childcare workers.

As an alternative, the Seattle City Council and Mayor have proposed Proposition No. 1B (Ordinance 124509), which would fund the four-year initial phase of a City early learning program with the goal of developing a widely-available, affordable, licensed, and voluntary preschool option. The Ordinance requires support, training and certification for teachers. The program uses research-based strategies, includes evaluation of results, and provides tuition support. This proposition authorizes regular property taxes above RCW 84.55 limits, allowing additional 2015 collection of up to $14,566,630 (approximately 11¢ per $1,000 assessed value), totaling $58,266,518 over four years.'

Petition No. 1 – Proposed City Transportation Authority

‘This proposition would create a citywide transportation authority to plan, construct, operate and maintain public monorail transportation facilities. The authority would have all powers set forth in chapter 35.95A RCW, including taxation authority; would be initially governed by a nine-member interim board; and would receive initial funding for planning, design, engineering and environmental review through imposition of a $5.00 fee on vehicles subject to relicensing tab fees registered within the city. A twenty-one member advisory council would also be established.’

Proposition No. 1 – Seattle Transportation Benefit District

‘This proposition would fund preservation of transit service on existing routes primarily serving Seattle that are proposed to be cut beginning in 2015. A portion of the funds collected would support regional transit service and improved access for low-income transit riders. This proposition would authorize an additional annual vehicle license fee of $60 per registered vehicle with a $20 rebate for low-income individuals and authorize a 0.1% sales and use tax. Both the fee and the tax would expire by December 31, 2020.’

HIGHLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 401: Proposition No. 1 – Bonds to Construct New Schools and Replace and Renovate Deteriorating Schools

‘This proposition would authorize the District to rebuild Highline High School, construct two new middle schools, construct a new Des Moines Elementary School at Zenith, make critical improvements at Evergreen and Tyee Campuses, and make District-wide health, safety, security, arts, technology, and other capital improvements; issue no more than $385,065,156 of general obligation bonds maturing within 21 years; and levy annual excess property taxes to repay the bonds, all as provided in Resolution No. 06-14.’

EAST PIERCE FIRE AND RESCUE: Proposition No. 1 – Property Tax Levy for Maintenance and Operation Expenses

‘If approved, Proposition No. 1 will authorize the District to levy, without regard to the dollar rate and percentage limitations imposed by Ch. 84.52 RCW, a property tax upon all taxable property within the District…to be used for maintenance and operations and to maintain the current level of fire and emergency medical services, all as provided in Resolution No. 755.’

SI VIEW METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT: Proposition No. 1 – One-Year Operations and Maintenance Levy

‘This proposition would maintain current funding for operations, facilities and programs, including the Si View Community Center and Pool, parks, playfields, playgrounds, sports programs, trails, adult programming, summer camps, and after-school recreation programs for youth and teens, by authorizing the District to levy a one-year excess property tax levy on all taxable property within the District at an approximate rate of $0.19/$1,000 of assessed value to provide $450,636, to be collected in 2015.’

KIRO