South Whidbey parks board talks about levy this week


February 19, 2012 · 9:18 AM

Parks commissioners will hold a special board workshop next week to talk about grant opportunities and the renewal of the property tax levy in 2013 for the South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District.

The district’s current levy is 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. Parks officials will consider if the levy should remain at the same rate, and also if the district will need to ask voters for a supplemental levy.

Parks officials may have additional properties to worry about in the coming years, however.

Island County is expected to suspend active maintenance of parks in 2015, and county officials have asked the district to take over Freeland Park, Dan Porter Park and Maxwelton Beach Park.

The Island County Fair Association has also asked the parks district to take over responsibility for the county fairgrounds for eight months of the year.

According to Terri Arnold, director of the parks district, fair officials have suggested that part of the district’s levy could be used to support the fair.

The meeting is at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22 at park district headquarters, 5475 Maxwelton Road.

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