There is no free lunch, and most South Whidbey residents don’t expect to use their parks for free, either.

On Tuesday, voters will be asked to approve a renewal of a property tax levy that funds the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District.

The proposed levy is identical to the one property owners have had on their tax statements for the past six years — 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. This translates to about $30 per year for a house worth $200,000. If approved, the two-year levy will provide the district with the money it needs to maintain its properties in 2003 and 2004.

“We are asking for the same amount as in the last levy in the hopes that the economic climate will be better in two more years,” said district director Suzette Hart Monday.

“Without property tax revenue, the district could not continue to provide park maintenance and administration,” she said. “Three-quarters of our budget comes from property taxes.”

In addition to maintenance and administration, property taxes pay for wages and benefits and the district’s turf maintenance program for 40 acres — which includes mowing, irrigation and fertilization. The money will also pay for maintenance of supplies and equipment, utilities and office supplies.

The district’s recreation programs are self-sustaining and require no tax funding.

South Whidbey Community Park, which is the district’s only facility, has more than doubled in size in the past two years to 120 acres. A bigger park requires more maintenance and administration than when the current levy was passed.

“Even with our increased size and costs, we will have to make do with what we have,” Hart said.

South Whidbey does not charge user fees to groups or teams holding games or other events on its land.

“We are proud of the fact that we don’t charge user fees to groups like Little League,” said Curt Gordon, president of the district’s board of commissioners. “They are all essentially volunteer run, so we do what we can to support the community.”

However, user fees have been a subject of discussion and will continue to be a funding option, Hart said.

“I have suggested to the commissioners that they might think about charging fees for picnic shelter reservation. It wouldn’t be much, but every little bit will help.”

The parks district is a junior taxing district that was created in 1984. It receives revenue from two sources, fees for park programs and property taxes.