Voters in Lake Stevens, Granite Falls mull levies

By Eric Stevick

Herald Writer

For voters in Lake Stevens, a four-year levy proposal represents maintaining the status quo. Their neighbors to the northeast in Granite Falls will consider two levies and decide whether to build a new high school.

Voters in each community cast their ballots Tuesday.

Neither districts’ proposals has faced organized opposition.

Here is a look at the two proposals:

Mike Haug, a father of two students and a veteran of levy and bond campaigns, recognizes that levies, which support the day-to-day operation of schools, are an easier sell than bonds, which typically provide the bricks and mortar for renovation or new construction.

While levies run out and voters decide whether to renew the funding, bonds represent a new tax.

Haug hopes voters will understand why the district is asking for both.

The property tax rate of $2.42 per $1,000 for the two-year maintenance and operation levy will remain the same as the previous levy, which expires this year. It helps pay for everything from textbooks, transportation and teachers to extracurricular activities and building upkeep.

A second levy for technology and capital projects would help pay for everything from computers and musical instruments to maintenance repairs, such as a new roof. The district separates the levies to take advantage of a law that allows it to collect state money, roughly $35,000, from the sale of timber within the district. Cost of the two-year technology levy is 42 cents per $1,000.

The district is also proposing a 20-year, $21 million bond measure to build a new high school.

Haug pointed to recent and projected enrollment growth. In 1996, only about 70 students graduated from Granite Falls High School. By 2011, that number is expected to reach 225.

"We need to create more space for more students to have a proper learning environment," Haug said.

Although the bond measure is for a new high school, it actually meets the needs of the entire district, kindergarten through 12th grade, Haug said. The existing high school would become a middle school, and a third elementary school could be moved into the vacated middle school.

The high school, which would be next to Monte Cristo Elementary School, would house 800 students with the ability to expand to 1,200. It would include a theater to seat 500, a gym for 1,200 and four science labs, including a greenhouse.

The $21 million generated locally would be in addition to $9 million from the state.

The levy proposal, which would replace a four-year levy that expires this year, provides the school district with 15 percent of its operating budget.

Over the past four years, the levy collection rate has averaged $3.43 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. The new proposed is $3.22 per $1,000 for each of the four years.

An increase in property tax assessments led the district to lower the rate, district officials said.

By the dollar, 62 cents support teachers’ salaries and instruction; 11 cents help bus students; 11 more cents go for student activities, including athletics, music and drama; another 11 cents aid instructional technology; 4 cents help building upkeep; and 1 cent is earmarked for the district’s swimming pool.

Sharon Furth, chairwoman of the citizens’ levy committee, has promoted the levy. To Furth, the importance goes beyond her children learning math and reading.

"Schools are an important component to the community," she said.

"It just makes the whole community come together when the school is doing well."

You can call Herald Writer Eric Stevick at 425-339-3446 or send e-mail to stevick@heraldnet.com.

Proposed maintenance and operation levy rate: $2.42 per $1,000 valuation for both years

Cost on a $180,000 home: $435.60 a year

Amount raised: $1.83 million for 2003; $1.87 million for 2004

Technology levy: Proposed rate, 42 cents per $1,000

Cost on a $180,000 home: $75.60 a year

Amount raised: $283,000 for each year

Construction bonds: Proposed rate, $1.16 per $1,000 for first year

Cost on a $180,000 home: $208.80 a year

Amount raised: $21 million

Proposed levy rate: $3.22 per $1,000 for each of the four years

Cost on a $180,000 home: $579.60 a year

Amount raised: $6.9 million for 2003; $7.2 million for 2004; $7.6 million for 2005; $7.9 million for 2006

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Three injured after high-speed, head-on collision on Highway 522

Washington State Patrol is investigating the crash that happened before 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.