Five school districts in Snohomish County will ask voters for property tax increases on the Aug. 17 primary ballot.
Edmonds, Everett, Granite Falls, Marysville and Northshore will seek approval of supplemental levies to make up for money lost to state budget cuts.
School districts across Snohomish County lost more than $16 million in state funding after sustaining cuts from the Legislature this spring.
At the same time, state lawmakers passed a bill that lifts the lid on local property tax levies by 4 percentage points for 2011 through 2017 and allows school districts to ask their voters for extra funding. The levy proposals would need a simple majority to pass.
The Everett School Board this week approved a four-year levy proposal that would raise $4 million a year.
“This past year, we cut $3.7 million,” said Mary Waggoner, a school district spokeswoman. “It essentially helps us maintain.”
Everett’s measure would cost 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in its first year, 24 cents in the second and third years and 23 cents per $1,000 in the final year. The 25 cents per $1,000 would assess an additional $75 for the owner of a $300,000 home.
Board member Kristie Dutton said the issue is in the hands of voters.
“We owe it to our community, our school families, our students and staff to put this issue on the ballot and let our local voters decide whether they will say ‘yes’ to this supplemental levy to help maintain Everett Public Schools’ educational programs,” she said.
Board member Jessica Olson was the lone dissenter, saying the levy “is placing too much of a burden on the taxpayer.”
She said that until last year, the district’s spending per student had significantly outpaced enrollment growth for several years. “It’s questionable that a bunch of extra spending results in measurable positive outcomes,” Olson said.
Edmonds, Marysville and Northshore also are seeking four-year levies. Granite Falls has a two-year proposition.
School measures on an August or November ballot could come as a surprise to voters, said Garth Fell, the Snohomish County elections manager. Seldom have districts placed tax requests on primary and general election ballots, he said.
“We are accustomed to see them in the spring,” Fell said.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com
Levies sought
Here are the school district levy proposals that will appear on the Aug. 17 primary ballot:
Edmonds: a four-year levy that would cost 31 cents per $1,000 for two years and 30 cents per $1,000 for the other two years. It would raise between $6.8 million and $7.5 million each year. Additional tax at 31 cents per $1,000 on a $300,000 home: $93.
Everett: a four-year levy proposal with rates starting at 25 cents per $1,000 the first year and dip to 23 cents per $1,000 the final year. It would raise $4 million a year. Additional tax at 25 cents per $1,000 on a $300,000 home: $75.
Granite Falls: a two-year levy of 35 cents per $1,000 the first year and 34 cents per $1,000 the second year. It would raise $550,000 the first year and $585,000 the second year. Additional tax at 35 cents per $1,000 on a $300,000 home: $105.
Marysville: a four-year levy seeking 20 cents per $1,000 each year. It would raise $1.5 million a year. Additional tax on a $300,000 home: $60.
Northshore: a four-year levy of 20 cents per $1,000 the first year followed by 10 cents per $1,000 in the second year and 11 cents per $1,000 the last two years. It would raise between $2.3 million and $4.5 million. Additional tax per $1,000 at 20 cents per $1,000: $60.
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