Whatcom property tax would fund child care, early childhood education
A committee of Whatcom County child-welfare advocates is developing a ballot initiative to fund child care, preschool programs, help for homeless youth, and mental health services for children and families.
Several members of the informally-organized Children’s Initiative Committee outlined their property tax proposal in a presentation to the County Council’s Public Works and Health Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
“We know that families are struggling, and we know that there is more that we can do,” said Heather Flaherty, executive director of the Chuckanut Health Foundation and a member of the Children’s Initiative Committee.
In their presentation, committee members said a tax of 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation would cost the average property owner $100 a year and generate $8.2 million annually for programs aimed at helping families and children.
“It would sunset in seven years, requiring a vote to renew, which holds us accountable to delivering on the purpose and the goals of these types of funds,” said committee member Emily O’Connor, who is executive director of Lydia Place, which serves homeless families.
In a written report to the council, the Children’s Initiative Committee said that 34% of all Whatcom households spend more than 30% of income on housing, including 51% of households who rent; some two-thirds of families lack access to child care, keeping parents and caregivers out of the workforce; and that many high school students are suffering from anxiety and depression.
A majority of the full County Council would have to vote to place such an initiative on the November ballot.
To pass, it would require a simple majority of Whatcom County voters.
An idea for a voter initiative to fund early childhood education and other programs was part of the Child and Family Action Plan that the County Council approved in 2020.
“We have a chance to design a fund that not only puts resources where they will do the most good — child care, pediatric mental health, prevention of family homelessness — but also a fund with a system of accountability that measures and reports on the effectiveness of those dollars,” said child-welfare advocate Ray Deck III, another member of the Children’s Initiative Committee.
Wording of the ballot measure isn’t final, but a proposal could be ready for council consideration in late April, Flaherty said.
This story was originally published February 23, 2022 at 11:16 AM.
