News - Local News

POSTED: Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

Point Roberts voters will decide on tax increase for parks, recreation

POINT ROBERTS - Voters living in Point Roberts will decide Nov. 3 whether to increase their property taxes to 81/4 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to give more money to the Point Roberts Park and Recreation District.

If approved, the measure would add nearly $7,000 annually over the next two years - bumping the amount the district receives from the levy to $42,000 a year in 2010 and 2011.

The owner of a home assessed at $200,000 will pay $16.50, if the levy passes. That's up from the current amount of $13.93.

The district owns and operates the Point Roberts Community Center, Baker Community Field and the skate park. The community center, which is the venue for events and meetings, also hosts the Point Roberts branch of the Whatcom County Library System, and the seniors' activity program.

The district also operates the children's summer camp, as well as a children's winter program in cooperation with Point Roberts Primary School. It is not part of the Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department.

District commissioners said they need more money to cover increasing costs, including for water and utilities, as well as for maintenance. And the community center needs improvements, including for its electrical wiring, roof and floors as well as for landscaping and exterior lighting.

"It's a great, old building," said Shelley Damewood, chairwoman of the district's board of commissioners.

If voters turn down the levy, which they last approved in 2007, all tax funding would stop at the end of 2009, and the district would have to dip into its capital fund to keep the doors open. There's $100,000 in that fund, which was set aside to expand the community center or establish a museum as part of the district's long-term plans.

If the levy doesn't pass, Damewood said there would be "severe belt-tightening."

"We would not open our doors to as many organizations as we have," she said of the community center.

The levy needs a super majority to pass. That means two things:

? 40 percent of voters in the last general election in November 2008 must vote on the measure. The number who voted in that election in Point Roberts was 693, so 278 must turn out for this election.

? 60 percent of those who turn out - 166 voters - must vote yes.

Although voters have passed the levy in the past - last in 2007 and 2003 - commissioners worry the recession could end their support.

"We're not as optimistic as we were in the past," Damewood said. "I don't want people to be scared, but the reality is we have to make some adjustment if the levy fails."

OTHER BALLOT ISSUES, RACES

This is the final scheduled article on issues and races in the Nov. 3 election. Go to bellinghamherald.com/elections for:

• Previous stories on other races in the Nov. 3 general election.

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• Blogs written by the candidates in some races.

• State and national election headlines.