Voters in San Juan County will be asked to vote on a proposition that concerns an increase in property taxes. The following information, which is taken directly from the voter’s pamphlet, is being included in the Weekly because of its impact on all islands. For statements for and against, please see the San Juan County website, or use this direct link:

http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/sanjuan/Pages/OnlineVotersGuide_ 20091103.aspx#ososTop

Also, San Juan County News online at http://www.sanjuanco.com/news/countyNews.aspx?NewsItem=205, links to the resolution adopted by the San Juan County Council.

The San Juan County Council adopted Resolution No. 28-2009 concerning an increase to the property tax levy. This proposition would increase the regular property tax levy of San Juan County by $0.12 to a total of $0.60336 per $1000 of assessed valuation for tax years 2010-2015 and subject to the limit factors in RCW Chapter 84.55, for the purpose of funding programs and personnel for: senior services, fair, parks, extension programs, public health, sheriff, prosecutor and other items at the amounts set forth in the resolution. Should this proposition be:

[ ] Approved [ ] Rejected

Randall K. Gaylord, Prosecuting Attorney

The San Juan County Council has proposed to increase property taxes by 12 cents per $1000 assessed value to a total of 60.336 cents per $1000 of assessed value for a period of six years beginning in the year 2010 and ending in 2015.

The increase is expected to generate about $960,000 in the year 2010 and future increases are subject to the limit factor set out in RCW Chapter 84.55.

The resolution adopted by the County Council sets out specifically the amount allocated to eleven funds, programs or positions that are to be paid from the proceeds of this levy and any proportionate increases to the levy. The funds raised by this levy are dedicated in the resolution and to be used only for these purposes specified unless the change in use is approved by the voters.

The programs and amount for the year 2010 are listed as follows:

Senior Services on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Islands, at a cost of approximately $211,000;

WSU Extension programs, including 4-H, Master Gardeners, and other volunteer and agricultural programs at a cost of approximately $129,000;

Maintenance and operation of County parks, at a cost of approximately $200,000;

General fund support of the San Juan County Fair, at a cost of approximately $5,000;

Immunization clinics and public health services on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Islands, at a cost of approximately $112,000;

A Sheriff’s Department correctional officer restored to a full-time position, at a cost of approximately $42,000;

A deputy prosecuting attorney restored to a full-time position at a cost of approximately $45,000;

The Department of Emergency Management manager funded out of the general fund, at a cost of approximately $50,000;

Reducing the number of days the County is closed for business at a cost of approximately $140,000;

Maintenance of County buildings and grounds at a cost of approximately $18,000;

Protection of island waters by funding the maintenance of Islands’ Oil Spill Association emergency response equipment at a cost of $8,000.