Would school levies pass if we knew the costs ahead of vote?

Published 1:30 am Monday, February 28, 2022

We have all just received our new property tax statements. I’m wondering if you were surprised as I was?

Our taxes went up 14 percent. All areas increased but of that total was an increase of 18 percent for the state and 37 percent just for schools. The state said it has a large surplus and some legislators have stated that should be returned to the taxpayers, i.e. us. The majority of them want to spend it on their own projects plus are taxing us an additional even though there is already a surplus. They should not claim, as they say, to be helping the poor and middle class. Their actions are proving otherwise.

The school tax increase, at least for Mukilteo was deceptive in that the district stated these are replacement levies but did not point out that with the significant increase in home values that the taxes would also be significantly higher. It may or may not have been intentional but it is very difficult to imagine they did not know that but chose to not point that out to give their levies a better chance to pass.

I have strong doubts that the levies would have passed if we all knew what it was going to cost us. I believe we should support education but when school districts deceive us as voters (whether deliberate or not) they lose all credibility. I hope we remember this when they ask for more money. Check your tax bill and see what extra you will be paying! The one thing in life that makes me angry more than anything else is when I or someone else is taken advantage of. That is the case here with both the state and school districts!

Sherwood Sage

Mukilteo

Editor’s note: As school levies and bonds are set for specific amounts, higher property valuations do not result in increased revenue for school districts; the millage rate is adjusted to result in the specific amount requested in the levy or bond.