Title
Approval of Proposed Ordinance and Ballot Measure Relating to Regular Property Taxes for Submission to Voters to the General Election to be Held on November 7, 2017 of a Public Safety Proposition Authorizing the Levy of Regular Property Taxes in Excess of the Limitations of RCW Chapter 84.55 and Setting Forth the Text of the Ballot Proposition
Recommended Action
City Council:
Move to approve an ordinance setting a ballot proposition for submission to voters at the general election on November 7, 2017 authorizing the levy of regular property taxes in excess of the limitations of RCW Chapter 84.55.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the proposed Public Safety Levy-Lid Lift Ballot Measure Ordinance on second reading.
Report
Issue:
Should the Council approve the proposed Public Safety Levy-Lid Lift Ballot Measure Ordinance?
Staff Contact:
Steve Hall, City Manager, 360.753.8447
Mary Verner, Administrative Services Director, 360.753.8499
Mark Barber, City Attorney, 360.753.8338
Background and Analysis:
Background and Analysis has not changed from first to second reading.
At the June 6, 2017 City Council Study Session, Stuart Elway of Elway Research presented the results of a recent resident voter opinion poll commissioned by the City. The Elway Poll asked residents to respond to a series of questions pertaining to housing and public safety. Mr. Elway reported there was strong support for a public safety package with nearly 8 in 10 respondents supporting the package.
The public safety package consists of funding law enforcement officers for the downtown walking patrol, community liaisons, code enforcement, a mental health response team, direct mental health services, and Community Court. The total estimated cost is approximately $2.85 million.
Without additional revenue, the public safety services contemplated by this ballot measure cannot be funded. The public safety package may be funded through an ad valorem property tax levy-lid lift.
On June 20, 2017, Councilmember Cooper moved, seconded by Councilmember Bateman, to direct City staff to, among other issues, prepare an ordinance placing the public safety package on the November 2017 ballot. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council, with all Councilmembers present and voting.
Summary of the Ordinance
The attached proposed ordinance was prepared for Council review and will be updated or amended to reflect any subsequent additional input from bond counsel. The form and content of the ordinance is guided by relevant state law, staff and the City Attorney, working in cooperation with outside legal counsel, Nancy Neraas and Stephen DiJulio of Foster Pepper, PLLC, and has undergone bond counsel review.
The ballot title must conform to certain statutory requirements and is subject to a 75-word limit describing the measure. The proposed ordinance would place a measure on the November 7, 2017 ballot.
If approved by a majority of the voters within the City of Olympia, the public safety levy-lid lift measure would increase the City’s regular property tax levy to a total authorized rate not to exceed $2.71per $1,000. This is an estimated increase of $0.45 per $1,000 over the current levy of assessed valuation for collection beginning in 2018 and to use the 2018 levy amount to recalculate subsequent levy limits.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The poll conducted by Stuart Elway reported strong resident support for a public safety package.
Options:
1. Approve the proposed ordinance and forward the ordinance to second reading.
2. Provide direction to delay action to 2018 or beyond.
3. Do nothing at this time.
Financial Impact:
Previous discussions about the public safety package have preliminarily discussed an increase of property taxes by $0.45/$1,000 (45 cents per $1,000) of AV, which would generate an estimated $2,850,000 per year in additional funding for public safety purposes. The estimated cost to the owner of a $250,000 home is approximately $112.50/year or $9.38 per month.
Attachments:
Proposed ordinance