Regarding the March 4 article on property taxes in Snohomish County going up 4.4 percent, on average, for a typical residence, 2013 to 2014: The article fails to point out the city of Snohomish had the highest tax increase in the county — 9.6 percent — more than double the average.
In February, Snohomish residents voted for a large tax increase for schools, which will take effect in 2015.
Additionally, Snohomish city government is pitching the creation of a Metropolitan Parks District to expand its parks programs. It would be a permanent tax increase decided by the city council and the voters could never undo it.
For homes valued at $300,000, this additional MPD tax could amount to $250 a year.
Unlike a special school levy that has a date-certain expiration, under the MPD, if the city mismanages its parks, there is no accountability to the voters. The tax goes on forever.
The MPD tax is a bad idea. Let the voters decide in a special levy election whether to pay extra for parks and thus force the city to be competent in the management of its parks.
Morgan Davis
Snohomish
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