HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 - City of Bellingham Proposition 2023-02 Greenways 5 LevyWhatcom County
Auditor's Office
Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
December 11, 2023
Election Results Receipt
Diana Bradrick
County Auditor
Stacy Henthorn
Chief Deputy Auditor
Copies of the following proposition election results from the November 7, 2023 General Election,
have been delivered to the Assessor's and Treasurer's Office:
*- City of Bellingham, Proposition No. 2023-02, Greenways 5 Levy
• Fire Protection District 5, Proposition 2023-03, Property Tax Levy For Fire Protection
and Emergency Medical Services
• Fire Protection District 14, Proposition 2023-05, Restoring Property Tax Levy
Point Roberts Park and Recreation District 1, Proposition 2023-o6, Regular Property
Tax Levies
Receipt Acknowledged:
Assessor's Office:
_ [1 'z-3
Re ecca Xczar / Date
Treasurer's Office:
Steven Oliver Date
Administration Elections Licensing Recording We gladly accept
Auditor@co.whatcorn.wa.us Elections@co.whatcom.wa.us Licensing@co.whatcornma.us Recording@comhatcomma.us relay calls.
360-778-5100 360-778-5102 360-778-5100 360-778-5100
Statement of Votes Cast by Geography Page: 1 of 1
Whatcom County, Washington, GENERAL 2023, Nov 07, 2023 2023-11-28
All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, COB Init 2023-01 Minimum Wage 08:38:27
Above State Minimum Wage, COB Init 2023-02 Rental Relocation Assist Program Tenants, COB Prop
2023-02 Greenways 5 Levy, All Boxes
Total Ballots Cast: 33029, Registered Voters: 159811. Overall Turnout: 20.67%
Choice Votes Vote %
All Precincts
COB Prop 2023-02 Greenways 5 Levy (Vote for 1)
33029 ballots 1 over voted ballots 1 overvotes, 925 undervotes), 61418 registered voters, turnout 53.78%
Yes 21448 66.81%
No 10655 33.19%
Total 32103 100.00%
Overvotes 1
Undervotes 925
COB Init 2023-01 Minimum Wage Above State Minimum Wage (Vote for 1)
33929 ballots 1 over voted ballots 1 overvotes, 955 undervotes), 61418 registered voters, turnout 53.78%
Yes 18822 58.68%
No 13251 41.32%
Total 32073 100.00%
Overvotes 1
Undervotes 955
COB Init 2023-02 Rental Relocation Assist Program Tenants (Vote for 1)
33029 ballots 0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 1104 undervotes), 61418 registered voters, turnout 53.78%
Yes 19852 62.18%
No 12073 37.82%
Total 31925 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 1104
STATE OF WASHINGTON )
) ss
COUNTY OF WHATCOM )
This is to certify that on November 7, 2023, there was held a special election in the City of Bellingham, 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 November 28, 2023,
and the results of said canvass are as reads above.
Dated this 61h day of December, 2023, Whatcom County, Washington.
3�4�� 4�c-rk
Diana Bradrick
County Auditor
Final Language
Ballot Title
City of Bellingham
Proposition 2023-02
Greenways 5 Levy
The Bellingham City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-15 concerning a property tax to fund
greenways, park facilities, and trails. This proposition would replace a Greenways levy for acquisition,
development, climate resiliency, and maintenance of greenways, open space, urban trees, parks, park
facilities, and trails, creating a more equitable and climate resilient community, by authorizing a $0.41
per $1,000.00 of assessed value increase (to a $1.55/$1,000.00 total rate) for collection in 2024 (the
2024 amount to be used to compute limitations for nine succeeding years, as allowed under RCW
84.55).
Should this proposition be approved?
Yes
No
Explanatory Statement
The Greenways 5 Levy will replace an existing City of Bellingham levy expiring at the end of 2023. Levy
proceeds will be allocated between property acquisition, development, climate resiliency, and
maintenance, for greenways, open space, wildlife habitat and corridors, urban trees, parks, park
facilities, and trails. Levy proceeds will be used to create an equitable and climate resilient Greenways
system consistent with the City of Bellingham Greenways Strategic Plan, Parks, Recreation, and Open
Space Plan, Habitat Restoration Technical Assessment, and Urban Forestry Management Plan. The funds
will also be used for administrative and implementation costs incurred by the Greenways program.
Whatcom County Auditor's Office
Ballot Measure Coversheet
District Name: City of Bellingham
District Address: 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Contact Person t Contact Person 2
Jacqueline Lassiter, Legislative Assistant Kelley Goetz, Deputy Clerk
Name & Title Name & Title
360-778-8200 / jalassiter@cob.org 360-778-8006 / kngoetz@cob.org
Phone & email Phone & email
k7torney information
James Erb, Deputy City Attorney
Name & Title
360-778-8132 /jeerb@cob.org
Phone & email
Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure?
Q Yes Q No
Resolution
No
with original signatures or a certified copy es
Explanatory Statement
No
prepared by your attorney, not to exceed ioo words es
"For" and "Against" Committee Appointment Forms es No
Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet es No
Complete if anything is missing...
I understand that the deadline to submit the missing
information is
Received In Person
The Auditor's Office will not begin processing this ballot
measure until all required documents have been submitted. JUL 2 � 2023
Whatcom County Elections I
esenter's Signature Deputy Auditor's Ss Lure
This form is available in a fellable form on the Auditor's website: httpsV] wrw.whatcomcounty.us135g31pistrict Resources.
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1 5 E L L'n,C,
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02
Finance Department
City of Bellingham
July 27, 2023
To Whom It May Concern,
I, Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk, herby certify that the attached copy of Resolution 2023-15 is a true
and correct copy of the original Resolution Agenda Bill 23757, approved by the Bellingham City Council
on July 24, 2023-
L 1 L�
Signature Date
Office: (360) 778-8010 I Fax: (360) 778-8001 1 Email: finance@cob.org 1 www.cob.org/ I ance
210 Lottie Street, Bellingham WA 98225
i� RESOLUTION NO. 2023-15
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS
OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM AT AN ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 7,
2023 OF A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO INCREASE ITS REGULAR
PROPERTY TAX LEVY ABOVE THE LIMIT ESTABLISHED IN RCW 84.55.010 TO
FUND THE ACQUISITION, DEVELOPMENT, AND MAINTENANCE OF GREENWAYS,
OPEN SPACE, WILDLIFE HABITAT AND CORRIDORS, URBAN TREES, PARKS,
PARK FACILITIES, AND TRAILS IN ORDER TO CREATE A MORE EQUITABLE AND
CLIMATE RESILIENT COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS, Bellingham residents approved Greenways levies in 1990, 1997, 2006, and
2016, funding the acquisition and development of over 3,200 acres of parks and open
spaces and over 80 miles of trails, the preservation and enhancement of critical habitat
and wildlife corridors, and other projects; and
WHEREAS, Greenways levy funds leverage many millions of dollars in matching funds
and donations to expand the community benefits of Greenways; and
WHEREAS, the Greenways IV levy expires at the end of 2023, and voters must decide
how to shape the future of the City's Greenways system and whether to continue the legacy
of funding Greenways; and
WHEREAS, the City adopted the 2022 Greenways Strategic Plan identifying needed
greenway, park, and trail expansion and development projects and additional land
acquisition needs for parks, open space, and critical trail connections to expand the
Greenways system; and
WHEREAS, the City adopted the 2020 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan,
demonstrating the ongoing need and public support for dedicated funding to create and
preserve a healthy, equitable, inclusive, and resilient open space, park, trail, and recreation
system; and
WHEREAS, protecting, restoring, and enhancing habitat is an integral element of
Greenways, and the City completed a Habitat Restoration Technical Assessment
demonstrating the need for additional ecosystem protection, enhancement, and restoration
in the City; and
WHEREAS, the adverse effects of climate change are apparent and growing, and the
Greenways program mitigates climate change impacts and increases community climate
resilience in support of the City's adopted Climate Protection Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, urban trees provide habitat, health benefits, and climate resiliency, the City is
creating an Urban Forestry Management Plan, and Greenways funds should be one
eligible source to assist in achieving the plan's goals; and
RESOLUTION RE GREENWAYS V - PAGE 1 City of Bellingham
City Attorney
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, Washington 98225
360-778-82/0
�' WHEREAS, undeveloped rights -of -way hold significant potential to provide trail
connections, and identifying and developing those connections will enhance the City's trail
system; and
WHEREAS, community gardens provide benefits consistent with Greenways program
goals, and maintenance and expansion of community gardens is an appropriate use of
Greenways funds; and
WHEREAS, since the creation of the Greenways program, the Greenways Advisory
Committee has provided dedicated citizen oversight of the use of Greenways levy funds,
ensuring well-informed decision making, accountability, and maintenance of public trust;
and
WHEREAS, numerous citizens, local organizations, and civic leaders support the
continuation of a levy to fund the development, improvement, acquisition, and maintenance
of existing and future City Greenways; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the need to provide funds for a Greenways program and
finds it necessary to institute a levy and use the proceeds of a temporary increase of the
regular property tax levy rate of the City as authorized by RCW 84.55.050; and
WHEREAS, the Council has determined to submit to voters the question of whether to levy
up to a total regular property tax levy rate of $1.55 per thousand of assessed valuation, to
provide up to $0-41 per $1,000 assessed valuation for Greenway purposes over a period
of ten years; and
WHEREAS, if approved, the proposed levy will not relieve developers or others from
obligations otherwise existing in applicable Federal, State, County, and local development,
subdivision, critical areas, and shoreline laws, regulations, and ordinances; and
WHEREAS, RCW 84.55.050 requires that the question of whether the City may collect
such a levy be submitted to the qualified voters of the City for ratification or rejection.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BELLINGHAM:
Section 1. Findings.
A. The general fund of the City of Bellingham has neither sufficient resources to
provide for the acquisition of additional greenways, open space, wildlife habitat
and corridors, urban trees, parks, park facilities, and trails, nor sufficient funds for
the development, maintenance, and improvement of those and existing City park
properties, based on the needs described in the City's Greenways Strategic Plan
and Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan.
B. The City Council recognizes the need to provide funds for the improvement,
development, acquisition, and maintenance of the City's existing and future
Greenways system.
RESOLUTION RE GREENWAYS V - PAGE 2 City of Bellingham
City Attorney
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, Washington 98225
360-778-8270
C. The City Council desires to support the Greenways program by submitting to the
qualified voters of the City a fifth Greenways levy ("Greenways 5 Levy") to replace
the current Greenways IV levy and is based upon a reduced Greenways levy rate
of up to $0.41 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
D. The City Council finds and declares it is in the best interests of the City that its
voters have an opportunity to vote on the question of whether to provide funding
to acquire, improve, develop, and maintain the existing and future Greenways
system from an increase in the City's regular property tax levy above the
limitations established in RCW 84.55.010 for a period commencing with
collections in the year 2024 and thereafter for nine succeeding years for this
limited purpose.
E. The City Council finds and declares it is in the best interests of the City that its
voters have an opportunity to vote on the question of whether a levy for such
purposes shall be instituted to collect approximately $8.6 million per year over a
period of ten years.
F. The City Council finds and declares it is in the best interests of the City that the
Greenways 5 Levy proposition should be submitted to the qualified voters of the
City regarding whether the City shall levy regular property taxes above the
limitation established in RCW 84.55.010 for their ratification or rejection at a
special election on November 7, 2023.
Section 2. Use of Funds.
Proceeds and interest on the proceeds from the additional tax levied pursuant to
Proposition No. 2023-# submitted to the voters pursuant to this resolution shall be
applied to acquire, improve, develop, and maintain greenways, open space, wildlife
habitat and corridors, urban trees, parks, park facilities, and trails in order to create a
more equitable and climate resilient community. The below described allocations and
program components are guidelines for using Greenways 5 levy funds in implementation
of the Greenways program over the duration of this levy:
A. Property Acquisition: A minimum of 35% of the proceeds and interest on the
proceeds of the levy are intended to be dedicated to land acquisition including the
completion of trail connections as designated in the Greenways Strategic Plan
and the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan.
B. Development: A minimum of 20% of the proceeds and interest on the proceeds of
the levy are intended to be dedicated to the development of properties purchased
by the City consistent with the Greenways Strategic Plan and the Parks,
Recreation, and Open Space Plan.
C. Climate Resiliency: A minimum of 15% of the proceeds and interest on the
proceeds of the levy are intended to be dedicated to reducing emissions and
increasing the climate resiliency of City park properties and facilities based on
methods supported by peer -reviewed research.
D. Maintenance and Operations: A minimum of 20% of the proceeds and interest on
the proceeds of the levy are intended to be dedicated to ongoing maintenance,
operation, and capital replacement needs of City park properties and facilities.
RESOLUTION RE GREENWAYS V - PAGE 3 City of Bellingham
City Attorney
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, Washington 98225
360-778-8270
E. Funds not utilized pursuant to subsections A, B, C or D of this section may be
used, consistent with the purposes of the Greenways program as set forth herein.
The City Council shall determine, or provide for the determination of, the scope, timing,
order, components, and manner of funding the Greenways program. The City Council
shall allocate levy proceeds to the program, and among program components, as it
determines is in the best interests of the City and consistent with greenways, open
space, wildlife habitat and corridors, urban trees, parks, park facilities, and trails
acquisition, development, climate resiliency and maintenance purposes.
Section 3. Election -Ballot Title.
A. The City Council requests that the Auditor of Whatcom County, as ex officio
supervisor of elections, call and conduct a special election in the City on
November 7, 2023, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of the City
for their approval or rejection Proposition No. 2023-# authorizing the City to
increase its regular property tax levy by up to $0.41 per $1,000 of assessed
valuation on all of the taxable property (to a total 2024 levy rate of $1.55 per
$1,000 of assessed valuation) within the City, for collection in 2024 and thereafter
for nine succeeding years together with annual increase thereon as allowed under
RCW 84.55, to be used for City greenways, open space, wildlife habitat and
corridors, urban trees, parks, park facilities, and trails acquisition, development,
climate resiliency, and maintenance as set forth in this resolution. The 2024 levy
amount would be used as the basis to calculate subsequent levy limits for the
additional nine year period (through 2033) of the levy lid lift. The taxes authorized
by this proposition will be in addition to the maximum amount of regular property
taxes the City would have been limited to by RCW 84.55.010, as may be
amended from time to time, in the absence of voter approval under this resolution,
including all other authorized lid lifts.
B. The City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to certify to the County Auditor of
Whatcom County, Washington, as ex officio supervisor of elections, prior to
August 1, 2023, a copy of this resolution and the propositions to be submitted at
that election in the form of a ballot title in substantially the following form pursuant
to RCW 29A.36.071:
CITY OF BELLINGHAM
PROPOSITION NO. 2023-#
GREENWAYS 5 LEVY
The Bellingham City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-15 concerning a
property tax to fund greenways, park facilities, and trails.
This proposition would replace a Greenways levy for acquisition, development,
climate resiliency, and maintenance of greenways, open space, urban trees,
parks, park facilities, and trails, creating a more equitable and climate resilient
community, by authorizing a $0.41 per $1,000 of assessed value increase (to a
RESOLUTION RE GREENWAYS V - PAGE 4 City of Bellingham
City Attorney
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, Washington 98225
360-778-8270
$1.55/$1,000 total rate) for collection in 2024 (the 2024 amount to be used to
compute limitations for nine succeeding years, as allowed under RCW 84.55).
Should this proposition be approved?
YES ...............[
NO ................[
Section 4. Minor Adjustments. For purposes of receiving notice of the exact language
of the ballot proposition required by RCW 29A.36.080, the City Council hereby designates
the City Attorney as the individual to whom such notice should be provided. The City
Attorney is authorized to approve changes to the ballot title, if any, deemed necessary by
the Auditor.
The City Clerk is authorized to make necessary clerical corrections to this resolution
including, but not limited to, the correction of scrivener's or clerical errors, references,
numbering, section/subsection numbers, and any reference thereto.
The proper City officials are authorized to perform such duties as are necessary or required
by law to submit the question of whether the regular property tax shall be increased, as
provided in this resolution, to the electors at the November 7, 2023 election.
Section 5. Exemption. If the ballot proposition set forth herein is approved by the voters,
as authorized by RCW 84.36.381, qualifying senior citizens, disabled veterans, and other
people with disabilities (as defined in RCW 84.36.381) shall be exempt from the tax
increase resulting from such levy lid lift.
Section 6. Local Voters' Pamphlet Authorized. The preparation and distribution of a
local voters' pamphlet providing information on the foregoing ballot measure is hereby
authorized. The pamphlet shall include an explanatory statement in substantially the
form set forth below and arguments advocating approval and disapproval of the ballot
measure, if any. In accordance with RCW 29A.32.280, the arguments advocating
approval and rejection of the ballot measure shall be prepared by committees appointed
by the City Council. Each committee shall be composed of not more than three persons;
however, a committee may seek the advice of any person or persons. The committee
advocating approval shall be composed of persons known to favor the ballot measure,
and the committee advocating rejection shall be composed of persons known to oppose
the ballot measure.
Explanatory Statement (100-word limit)
The Greenways 5 Levy will replace an existing City of Bellingham levy expiring at
the end of 2023. Levy proceeds will be allocated between property acquisition,
development, climate resiliency, and maintenance, for greenways, open space,
wildlife habitat and corridors, urban trees, parks, park facilities, and trails. Levy
proceeds will be used to create an equitable and climate resilient Greenways
system consistent with the City of Bellingham Greenways Strategic Plan, Parks,
RESOLUTION RE GREENWAYS V - PAGE 5 City of Bellingham
City Attorney
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, Washington 98225
360-778-8270
Recreation, and Open Space Plan, Habitat Restoration Technical Assessment,
and Urban Forestry Management Plan. The funds will also be used for
administrative and implementation costs incurred by the Greenways program.
Section 7. Severability. If any provision of this resolution is declared by any court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, then such provision shall be null and void and shall be
separable from the remaining provisions of this resolution and shall in no way affect the
validity of the other provisions of this resolution or of any other ordinance or resolution, or
of the levy or collection of the taxes authorized herein.
PASSED by the Council this 10th day of July, 2023.
Council
APPROVED by me this 2-day of , 2023.
Ma
ATTEST
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Office of Oe City Attorney
RESOLUTION RE GREENWAYS V - PAGE 6
City of Bellingham
City Attorney
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, Washington 98225
360-778-8270
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Office of the City Attorney
City of Bellingham
July 25, 2023
Whatcom County Auditor Diana Bradrick
311 Grand Avenue
Suite 103
Bellingham, WA 98225
RE: Explanatory Statement for City of Bellingham Greenways Five Levy
Dear Madam Auditor,
The City Attorney's Office has drafted the following explanatory statement regarding City
of Bellingham Greenways 5 Levy, to be included in the local voter's pamphlet:
The Greenways 5 Levy will replace an existing City of Bellingham levy expiring at the
end of 2023. Levy proceeds will be allocated between property acquisition,
development, climate resiliency, and maintenance, for greenways, open space,
wildlife habitat and corridors, urban trees, parks, park facilities, and trails. Levy
proceeds will be used to create an equitable and climate resilient Greenways system
consistent with the City of Bellingham Greenways Strategic Plan, Parks, Recreation,
and Open Space Plan, Habitat Restoration Technical Assessment, and Urban
Forestry Management Plan. The funds will also be used for administrative and
implementation costs incurred by the Greenways program.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Please let know if you have any
questions.
Respectfully,
James Erb
Deputy City Attorney
office: (360) 778-8270 1 Fax: (360) 778-8271 1 www.cob.org/attorney
210 Lottie Street, Bellingham WA 98225