Voters must know that Port of Everett’s district expansion is a tax

Thank you to The Herald Editorial Board for letting Snohomish County voters (except those in the two current port districts) know they will have a new property tax imposed upon them if the Port of Everett’s district enlargement — Prop. 1 — is passed on Aug. 6. My neighbor thought the Port was the landlord of the Everett waterfront facilities and not a taxing authority.

As a private sector landlord, the largest Net Operating Expense is property taxes. If Prop. 1 passes, it will surely increase the cost of housing for everyone—renters and owners alike. Local governments should be helping to bring down the cost of housing, not increasing it.

I would like to clarify for the editorial board, the 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed value rate cap can be exceeded to pay for general bonded indebtedness (see RCW 53.36.020); for example, environmental cleanup at the Everett waterfront and airport improvements at Paine Field, Harvey Field and Arlington airport.

Just as we have Truth in Lending laws, we need Truth in Taxation laws. The County Executive’s Pro Statement for the voters pamphlet mentions nothing about the imposition of a new tax if Prop. 1 is approved.

Morgan Davis

Snohomish