October 17, 2010 by DScheffler
The Levy
One of the questions on this Fall’s ballot is one looking for approval of an 8-cent levy to support the function of the Mount Adams Park and Recreation District. For many, the answer to the question of a “new” tax is quick and easy to come up with, no. However, life is never that simple, seldom that black and white. Fortunately, the people of Western Klickitat County have a history of looking at issues carefully and of making the choices which will provide the most benefit over the long-term.
One of the concerns that has been voiced about the levy is that “it will just go up and up”.
Here’s the facts:
Under the laws of Washington State a levy for a Park and Recreation District can never exceed 60-cents (per $1000 of assessed property value). The levy must be voter approved, expires after 6 years, and any changes or new levies must also be voter approved.
Still, the fear persists that the levy will “just rise to 60 cents”. That would only happen if the people of the district proved that they wanted it to rise by voting it so. However, it is important to note that a levy of 60 cents is the extreme. The other extreme is not approving any levy at all.
What are the costs and consequences associated with not approving the levy?
If the district doesn’t get this basic level of funding it will fail to function effectively and efficiently. Without office support the volunteer Park and Recreation District Commissioners would have more work than they could accomplish between monthly meetings. The goals and expectations of the new district would fail to be met and the chance to succeed would never really have been attainable.
The costs of not funding the district are hard to calculate, but they still exist. For example, what is the cost of a child not having a safe place to learn to swim? What is the cost of a teenager getting involved with drugs and alcohol instead of spending their free time learning a new and healthy sport outdoors. What is the cost of our seniors not having access to programs that keep them healthy and happy? When looked at in that way those types of cost could be endless and would far exceed any 60 cent cost at the other end of the spectrum.
These are hard decisions. None of us like paying taxes. Some taxes, however, when they provide us direct benefit, are worth it. This tax, for example, doesn’t go to Olympia or Washington D.C. Instead, this is a tax that will remain under the control of our neighbors, for our own benefit, and it stays right here in Western Klickitat County to make our communities stronger, happier, healthier, and safer.
