07/01/2009: "Why An Additional Tax For Island Rec?"

Unlike the other islands, San Juan Island has a Park & Recreation District that collects a tax on property. This is in addition to the property tax that goes to the County Parks department.

As a junior taxing district they, like school districts, can ask the voter to approve a tax levy. By law the maximum term for the Park & Recreation District levy is six years. After that, a new levy needs to be passed to continue operations.

The maximum levy amount allowed is 60 cents. At the general election on November 3rd Island Rec will ask voters to renew its current 10 cent levy for continuing Island Rec’s operations, and also included an additional seven cents to it.

The addition will be earmarked as a sustainable funding source for the middle and high school’s WIAA sports program. The SJI School District (SJISD) has already reached its levy capacity and cannot ask for more funds, but the new tax levy will help Island Rec & SJISD To Fund Athletics.

Island Rec has provided the following “questions” one might ask, and then presented their explanations and answers to the questions:

What will 17 cents provide?
Seven cents of this is dedicated to the school’s request. The seven cents will generate a six year funding source of approximately $240,000 to maintain the school sports program. The School District’s sports program is open to all middle school and high school aged students on San Juan Island enrolled in private schools, public schools and home school. The 10 cents will allow Island Rec to continue its operations of recreation programs, parks and trails.

Why is Island Rec funding School sports and not drama, music or art?
When faced with having to reduce the School budget by over $1,000,000 the School Board cut funding for the WIAA sports program. Drama, music and art programs are part of the school curriculum and have been funded for the 2009-10 school year. The School Board made a specific request to Island Rec asking for funding of the WIAA sports program, a co-curricular program. Additionally, Island Rec’s mandate does not allow it to fund school curriculum.

Will Island Rec run the School sports program?
No. Island Rec will contract with the School District for the school to run the athletic program as it exists today. For students to participate in the WIAA sports program the School District must administer and supervise the program.

How much will this new levy with funding for the school sports program cost me?
The good news is that at the end of 2009 San Juan Islanders will be retiring the 1997 school construction bond for which they have been paying approximately 60 cents per $1,000. In 2010 you will no longer pay this tax. For most property owners this will be a savings of more than $300 annually. When the new levy of 17 cents passes Island Rec will continue its operations and school sports will continue. Payment looks like this:

Property Assessment Island Rec 17 cent levy payment
$300,000 = $51
$400,000 = $68
$500,000 = $85
$600,000 = $102
$1,000,000 = $170

Island Rec’s 10 cent portion of the levy will provide approximately $110,000 of new revenue.

What will it do with these funds?
$18,000 Replace funds cut by the County Council for support of Camp Eagle Rock
$4,000 Replace loss of funds for RECX, Teen Summer program
$15,000 Increase efficiency by reorganization of office staff and procedures; new fees imposed by County Auditor; development of new registration process that will allow for payment by credit card and on-line registrations.
$6,200 Increase maintenance at San Juan Island Skatepark, The Family Park and Eddie and Friends Dog Park
$5,500 Expand Open Gyms, Roller Hockey and Family Open Skate Seasons
$50,000 Construct new playground planned for Carter Street Fields
$11,300 Build a maintenance and operation reserve and increase in annual operating expenses

What has Island Rec done with its current 10 cent levy?
• Employed two full time employees who annually coordinate over 1,600 hours of recreation programs and oversees all park operations and maintenance.
• Annually employed an average of 32 part-time and seasonal employees.
• Operated Eddie and Friends Dog Park (established 2008) Family Park and Skatepark at the fairgrounds.
• Operated and Funded the San Juan Island Trails Committee.
• Created RECX, recreation exploration summer program for teens introducing them to a wide variety of skill building lifelong leisure pursuits in arts; sports, hobbies and outdoor recreation.
• Created Pre-School Arts and Crafts Program; Preschool Start Smart Sports Program and Farmers’ Market Arts and Crafts Program.
• Initiated Senior Scenic Walkers, Leisurely Lawn Games and Senior Fitness Classes.
• Expanded the Skatepark and installed a new dock on Egg Lake.
• Since 2004 has added the Father Daughter Dance; K-9 Carnival; Teen Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt; BMX Tournament; Touch a Truck and the New Year’s Eve Community Celebration to its annual list of Special Events that also include the Children’s Festival; Chalk it Up; Music on the Lawn; Teen Halloween Party and Skateboard Tournament.
• Continued, expanded and enhanced popular programs including Boys and Girls Youth Basketball League; Sailing Lessons; Sports Camps; Family Open Skate; Roller Hockey; Open Gyms; Indoor Soccer, Swimming Lessons and Camp Eagle Rock.

I don’t have kids in School nor do I participate in any Island Rec programs.
Why should I support this levy?
• Everyone benefits living in a community with a strong Parks and Recreation program.
• Island Rec provides the opportunities for people of all ages to be more physically and socially active and to make positive uses of free time.
• We provide safe places and after school programs for youth and teens to recreate.
• We will provide funding for WIAA sports for middle school and high school age teens.
• We provide families with programs and places to play together.
• People of all ages learn new skills, build self-esteem and meet new friends through Island Rec.
• Active, engaged people are less likely to suffer from depression, be obese, abuse drugs and alcohol and commit crimes. Island Rec provides programs and parks for people to be active and engaged. Island Rec fosters a sense of community bringing together islanders of all walks of life.