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Home My WebLink About2024 - Bellingham School District No. 501 Prop 2024-12 Replacement Educational Support and Operations LevyWhatcom County Auditor's Office Whatcom County Courthouse 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 March 15, 2024 Election Results Receipt Stacy Henthorn County Auditor Amy Grasher Chief Deputy Auditor Copies of the following proposition election results from the February 13, 2024 Special Election, have been delivered to the Assessor's and Treasurer's Office: • Bellingham School District 501: Proposition 2024-12 Replacement Educational Support and Operations Levy and Proposition 2024-13 Replacement Technology Capital Projects Levy O Ferndale School District 502: Proposition 2024-11, School Programs and Operations Replacement Levy a Blaine School District 503: Proposition 2024-07, Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy and Proposition 2024-o8, General Obligations Bonds - $70,000,000 A Lynden School District 504: Proposition 2024-o1 Renewal of Educational Programs and Operations Levy and Proposition 2024-02 General Obligations Bond - $157,500,000 o Meridian School District 505: Proposition 2024-09, Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy and Proposition 2024-1o, Replacement Technology Capital Projects Levy • Nooksack Valley School District 5o6: Proposition 2024-04, Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy a Mt Baker School District 507: Proposition 2024-05, Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy and Proposition 2024-o6, Renewal Capital Projects Levy Concrete School District No.11: Proposition No.1, Replacement of Expiring Levy for Educational Programs and Operations and Proposition No. z, Capital Levy for Safety, Security and Accessibility Improvements e Fire Protection District 8: Proposition 2024-14, Tax Levy for Maintenance, Facilities and Operations • Blaine -Birch Bay Park & Recreation District 2: Proposition 2024-03, Authorizing Continuing Property Tax Levy Receipt Acknowledged: Assessor's Office: I � Reb cca czar Treasurer's Office: Steven Oiiver Date Da e Page 2 Statement of Votes Cast by Geography Page: 1 of 1 Whatcom County, Washington, February Special, Feb 13, 2024 2024-02-23 All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, BSD 501 Prop 2024-12 Replacement 09:26:24 Edu Sup & Ope Levy, BSD 501 Prop 2024-13 Replacement Tec Cap Pro Levy, All Boxes Total Ballots Cast: 28204, Registered Voters: 159750. Overall Turnout: 17.66% Choice Votes Vote % All Precincts BSD 501 Prop 2024-12 Replacement Edu Sup & Ope Levy (Vote for 1) 28204 ballots (3 over voted ballots, 3 overvotes, 90 undervotes), 77405 registered voters, turnout 36.44% Yes 18564 66.04% No 9547 33,96% Total 28111 100 00% Overvotes 3 Undervotes 90 BSD 501 Prop 2024-13 Replacement Tec Cap Pro Levy (Vote for 1) 28204 ballots (1 over voted ballots, 1 overvotes, 104 undervotes), 77405 registered voters, turnout 36.44% Yes 18421 65.56% No 9678 34,44% Total 28099 100.00% Overvotes 1 Undervotes 104 STATE OF WASHINGTON ) ) ss COUNTY OF WHATCOM ) This is to certify that on February 13, 2024, there was held a special election in Bellingham School District 501, Whatcom County, Washington, for the submission of a ballot measure to the voters for their approval or rejection. The results of the election were duly canvassed by the Whatcom County Canvassing Board on February, 23, 2024, and the results of said canvass are as reads above. Dated this 291h day of February, 2024, Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington. Stacy Henthorn County Auditor Final Language Ballot Title Bellingham School District 501 Proposition 2024-12 Replacement Educational Support and Operations Levy The Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 29-23 concerning a replacement levy for educational funding. This proposition authorizes the district to replace an expired levy and to levy the following excess taxes on all taxable property within the district, to support the district's educational operations which are not funded or not fully funded by the State: _ Approximate Collection_ T Levy Rate/$1,000 Years — Assessed Value I 2025 $1.20 - 2026 _ $1.22 2027 � $1.25 2028 $1.27 all as provided in District Resolution No. 29-23. Should this proposition be approved? Yes No Explanatory Statement Levy Amount $37,000,000 $39,000,000 I $41,000,000 _I $43,000,000 Passage of Proposition 2024-12 allows the levy of: $37,000,000 in property taxes within Bellingham School District 501 for collection in 2025, $39,000,000 in 2026, $41,000,000 in 2027, and $43,000,000 in 2028 to replace an expiring levy. This levy, in accordance with Resolution No. 29-23, would be used to pay certain costs of educational and operations support. Based on projected information, estimated levy rates per $1,000 of assessed value may be $1.20 (2025 collection), $1.22 (2026 collection), $1.25 (2027 collection), and $1.27 (2028 collection). The exact levy rate shall be determined at the time of the levy. District Information District Name: District Address: Contact Person i Whatcom County Auditor's Office Ballot Measure Coversheet Bellingham School District No. 501 1306 Dupont Street, Bellingham, WA 98225-3118 Contact Person z Kathryn Weilage, Chief Financial Officer Jacqueline Brawley, Executive Director, Communications and Community Relations Name & Title Name & Title (360) 220 9830 kathryn.weilage@bellinghamschools.org 1 (360) 820 4765 jacqueline.brawley@bellinghamschools.org Phone & email Attorney In#ormation Weed,Cynthia M. Name & Title (206) 623 7580 cynthia.weed@klgates.com Phone & email Resolution with original signatures or a certified copy Explanatory Statement prepared by your attorney, not to exceed ioo words "For" and "Against" Committee Appointment Forms Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet Complete if anything is missing... I understand that the deadline to submit the missing information is The Auditor's office will not begin processing this ballot measure until all required documents have been submitted. Presenter's Signature Phone & email I Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure? E) Yes ® No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Received In Person DEC 13 2023 Whatcom County Elocfi Lavo Deputy Au i r s Signature This form is available in a fillable form on the Auditor's website:}1ttp5ljwww.what�plTiC�tiDfylls135�3[Qi�tCiCiResQurces. SibA 6 �vv� Ins c`tl�� V31, S w-vtr Received In Person DEC 13 2023 Whatcom County Elections BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 501 WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON REPLACEMENT EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT AND OPERATIONS LEVY RESOLUTION NO.29-23 A RESOLUTION of the Board of Directors of Bellingham School District No. 501, Whatcom County, Washington, providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the District at a special election to be held therein on February 13, 2024, of the proposition of whether excess taxes should be levied of $37,000,000 in 2024 for collection in 2025, $39,000,000 in 2025 for collection in 2026, $41,000,000 in 2026 for collection in 2027, and $43,000,000 in 2027 for collection in 2028, said excess taxes to pay part of the educational support and operations of the District. ADOPTED OCTOBER 12, 2023 RESOLUTION NO. 29-23 A RESOLUTION of the Board of Directors of Bellingham School District No. 501, Whatcom County, Washington, providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the District at a special election to be held therein on February 13, 2024, of the proposition of whether excess taxes should be levied of $37,000,000 in 2024 for collection in 2025, $39,000,000 in 2025 for collection in 2026, $41,000,000 in 2026 for collection in 2027, and $43,000,000 in 2027 for collection in 2028, said excess taxes to pay part of the educational support and operations of the District. WHEREAS, Bellingham School District No.501, Whatcom County, Washington (the "District"), for the past four years has had in effect an educational support and operations levy in order to enable the District to pay for its educational programs and services, including teaching, school supplies, technology, athletics, facilities and transportation; and WHEREAS, the current educational support and operations levies expire this year; and WHEREAS, the money in and to be paid into the General Fund of the District during the 2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 school years will be insufficient to enable the District to pay for necessary educational support and operations and to properly meet the educational needs of the students attending District schools; and WHEREAS, the existing authority for the imposition of local tax levies and use of local revenues (including the proceeds of tax levies) has been modified by Chapter 410, Laws of 2019 (66th Legislature, Regular Session) and may be modified in the future by the State Legislature; and WHEREAS, in the event the State Legislature increases education funding to the District, the District would, therefore, review annually and determine the need to roll back the levies; and WHEREAS, in order to properly provide for such educational support and operations needs, the Board of Directors of the District deems it necessary to levy the following taxes upon all of the taxable property within the District in excess of the maximum annual tax levy permitted by law to be levied within the District without a vote of the electors: A. A tax of approximately $1.20 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation to provide $37,000,000, said levy to be made in 2024 for collection in 2025; B. A tax of approximately $1.22 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation to provide $39,000,000, said levy to be made in 2025 for collection in 2026; C. A tax of approximately $1.25 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation to provide $41,000,000, said levy to be made in 2026 for collection in 2027; D. A tax of approximately $1.27 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation to provide $43,000,000, said levy to be made in 2027 for collection in 2028; and WHEREAS, prior to the time the ballot proposition authorized in this resolution is submitted to the voters, the District will have received approval of its educational programs and operations/enrichment tax levy expenditure plan from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction as required under RCW 84.52.053(4); and WHEREAS, the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington require that the question of whether or not such excess taxes may be levied must be submitted to the qualified electors of the District for their ratification or rejection; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 501, WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON, as follows: Section 1. The following taxes for the District's General Fund should be levied upon all of the taxable property within the District in excess of the maximum annual tax levy permitted by law to be levied within the District without a vote of the electors: A. $37,000,000, said levy to be made in 2024 for collection in 2025; and -2- 502424850 v2 B. $39,000,000, said levy to be made in 2025 for collection in 2026, and C. $41,000,000, said levy to be made in 2026 for collection in 2027; and D. $43,000,000, said levy to be made in 2027 for collection in 2028. The estimated levy rate depends on the limitations of state law and information regarding assessed value. At this time, based on state law, the estimated levy rate for the 2024 levy (2025 collection) is $1.20 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, the estimated levy rate for the 2025 levy (2026 collection) is $1.22 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, the estimated levy rate for the 2026 levy (2027 collection) is $1.25 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation and the estimated levy rate for the 2027 levy (2028 collection) is $1.27 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. The exact levy rate and amount shall be adjusted based upon the legal levy limits and the actual assessed value of the property within the District at the time of the levy. Upon approval by the voters of the proposition substantially in the form set forth below, the District may use the proceeds of said levies during the 2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 school years by incurring an indebtedness by the issuance of short term obligations against the General Fund of the District, as authorized by Chapter 39.50 RCW, and may expend the proceeds of said levies to pay such part of the general expenses of educational support and operations of the District during such school years as may be authorized or allowed by law for the use of local levy funds. Section 2. It is hereby found and declared that the best interests of the District require the submission to the qualified electors of the District of the proposition of whether or not the District shall levy such excess tax for their ratification or rejection at a special election to be held therein on February 13, 2024. The Whatcom County Auditor, as ex officio supervisor of elections in Whatcom County, Washington, is hereby requested to call and conduct said special election to be held within the District -3- 502424850 v2 on said date and to submit to the qualified electors of the District the proposition substantially in the form hereinafter set forth. The Secretary of the Board of Directors is hereby authorized and directed to certify said proposition substantially in the following form: PROPOSITION NO. 1 BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 501 (BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS) REPLACEMENT EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT AND OPERATIONS LEVY The Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 29-23 concerning a replacement levy for educational funding. This proposition authorizes the district to replace an expired levy and to levy the following excess taxes on all taxable property within the district, to support the district's educational operations which are not funded or not fully funded by the State: Approximate Collection Levy Rate/$1,000 Levy Years Assessed Value Amount 2025 $1.20 $ 37,000,000 2026 $1.22 $ 39,000,000 2027 $1.25 $ 41,000,000 2028 $1.27 $ 43,000,000 all as provided in District Resolution No. 29-23. Should this proposition be approved? YES............ NO....................................... ICI The Secretary of the Board of Directors of the District is hereby directed to deliver a certified copy of this resolution to the Whatcom County Auditor. Section 3. For purposes of receiving notice of the exact language of the ballot title required by RCW 29A.36.080, the Board hereby designates (a) the District's Superintendent (Dr. Greg Baker), telephone: 360-676-6501; email: Greg.Baker@bellinghamschools.org; and (b) special counsel, K&L Gates LLP (Cynthia Weed), telephone: 206.370.7801; email: cynthia.weed@klgates.com, as the individuals to whom the Auditor shall provide such notice. The Secretary is authorized to approve -4- 502424850 v2 changes to the ballot title, if any, deemed necessary by the Auditor or the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney. Section 4. Pursuant to authority granted by RCW 29A.32.220, the Board of Directors hereby authorizes the District's participation in the local voters' pamphlet for the February 13, 2024 election and requests that the Whatcom County Auditor prepare and publish a voters' pamphlet for this proposition. The District understands and agrees that it will be required to pay its proportionate share of the expenses of the voters' pamphlet. -5- 502424850 v2 ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of Bellingham School District No. 501, Whatcom County, Washington, at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 12th day of October, 2023. BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.501, WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Presid and Director Director Director Director V � Director ATTEST: - �� 2>, it . cretary, Boar a Directors -6- 502424850 v2 CERTIFICATE I, the undersigned, Secretary of the Board of Directors of Bellingham School District No. 501, Whatcom County, Washington, (the "District") and keeper of the records of the Board of Directors (the "Board"), DO HEREBY CERTIFY: That the attached resolution is a true and correct copy of Resolution No. 29-23 of the Board (the "Resolution"), duly adopted at a regular meeting thereof held on the 12th day of October, 2023. 2. That said meeting was duly convened and held in all respects in accordance with law, and to the extent required by law, due and proper notice of such meeting was given; that a legal quorum was present throughout the meeting and a legally sufficient number of members of the Board voted in the proper manner for the adoption of the Resolution; that all other requirements and proceedings incident to the proper adoption of the Resolution have been duly fulfilled, carried out and otherwise observed; and that I am authorized to execute this certificate. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of October, 2023. Secretary, Boa-r—d'oTbirectors 502424850 v2 CERTIFICATE I, the undersigned, Secretary of the Board of Directors of Bellingham School District No. 501, Whatcom County, Washington (the "District"), and keeper of the records of the Board of Directors (the "Board"), DO HEREBY CERTIFY: 1. That the attached resolution is a true and correct copy of Resolution No. 29-23 of the Board (the "Resolution"), duly adopted at a regular meeting thereof held on the 12th day of October, 2023. 2. That said meeting was duly convened and held in all respects in accordance with law, and to the extent required by law, due and proper notice of such meeting was given; that a legal quorum was present throughout the meeting and a legally sufficient number of members of the Board voted in the proper manner for the adoption of the Resolution; that all other requirements and proceedings incident to the proper passage of the Resolution has been duly fulfilled, carried out and otherwise observed; and that I am authorized to execute this certificate. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of October, 2023. Secretary, Board of Dire OFFICIAL BALLOT BELLING14AM SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 501 WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON February 13, 2024 INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: To vote in favor of the following proposition, place a cross (X) in the square opposite the word "YES"; to vote against the following proposition, place a cross (X) in the square opposite the word "NO." PROPOSITION NO. 1 BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 501 (BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS) REPLACEMENT EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT AND OPERATIONS LEVY The Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 29-23 concerning a replacement levy for educational funding. This proposition authorizes the district to replace an expired levy and to levy the following excess taxes on all taxable property within the district, to support the district's educational operations which are not funded or not fully funded by the State: Approximate Collection Levy Rate/$1,000 Levy Years Assessed Value Amount 2025 $1.20 $ 37,000,000 2026 $1.22 $ 39,000,000 2027 $1.25 $ 41,000,000 2028 $1.27 $ 43,000,000 all as provided in District Resolution No. 29-23. Should this proposition be approved? YES...................................... Q NO....................................... 502424850 v2 NOTICE BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 501 WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON February 13, 2024 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on February 13, 2024, a special election will be held by mail ballot in the above -named school district for the submission to the qualified electors of said school district of the following proposition: PROPOSITION NO. 1 BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 501 (BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS) REPLACEMENT EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT AND OPERATIONS LEVY The Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 29-23 concerning a replacement levy for educational funding. This proposition authorizes the district to replace an expired levy and to levy the following excess taxes on all taxable property within the district, to support the district's educational operations which are not funded or not fully funded by the State: Approximate Collection Levy Rate/$1,000 Levy Years Assessed Value Amount 2025 $1.20 $ 37,000,000 2026 $1.22 $ 39,000,000 2027 $1.25 $ 41,000,000 2028 $1.27 $ 43,000,000 all as provided in District Resolution No. 29-23. Should this proposition be approved? YES.................................................. Q NO.................................................... Whatcom County Auditor 507031854_1 Election Date: February 13, 2024 Name of Jurisdiction Submitting Measure: Bellingham School District No. 501, Whatcom County, Washington Contact Name: Cynthia Weed Daytime Contact Phone Number: 206-623-7580 Word Count - 98 EXPLANATORY STATEMENT - PROPOSITION NO Passage of Proposition No. 1 allows the levy of. $37,000,000 in property taxes within Bellingham School District No. 501 for collection in 2025, $39,000,000 in 2026, $41,000,000 in 2027, and $43,000,000 in 2028 to replace an expiring levy. This levy, in accordance with Resolution No. 29-23, would be used to pay certain costs of educational and operations support. Based on projected information, estimated levy rates per $1,000 of assessed value may be $1.20 (2025 collection), $1.22 (2026 collection), $1.25 (2027 collection), and $1.27 (2028 collection). The exact levy rate shall be determined at the time of the levy. 5507031866.1