HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 - Meridian School District No. 505 Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy Special Election February 13, 2024Whatcom 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
a Ferndale School District 502: Proposition 2024-11, School Programs and Operations
Replacement Levy
ct Blaine School District 503: Proposition 2024-07, Replacement Educational
Programs and Operations Levy and Proposition 2024-o8, General Obligations
Bonds - $70,000,000
e Lynden School District 504: Proposition 2024-01 Renewal of Educational Programs
and Operations Levy and Proposition 2024-02 General Obligations Bond -
$157,500,000
® 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
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. ii: 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:
Reb cca czar
Treasurer's Office:
!1, d
Steven liver
Date
-5 U
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 Scan Stations, MSD 505 Prop 2024-09 Edu Prog & 09:28:29
Ope Replacement Levy, MSD 505 Prop 2024-10 Replacement Tech Capital Projects Levy, All Boxes
Total Ballots Cast: 2957, Registered Voters: 159750, Overall Turnout: 1.85%
Choice Votes Vote %
All Precincts
MSD 505 Prop 2024-09 Edu Prog & Ope Replacement Levy (Vote for 1)
2957 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 27 undervotes), 7995 registered voters, turnout 36.99%
Yes 1622 55.36%
No 1308 44.64%
Total 2930 100 00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 27
MSD 505 Prop 2024-10 Replacement Tech Capital Projects Levy (Vote for 1)
2957 ballots (0 over voted ballots. 0 overvotes, 13 undervotes), 7995 registered voters, turnout 36.99%
Yes 1656 56.251/o
No 1288 43.75%
Total 2944 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 13
STATE OF WASHINGTON )
) ss
COUNTY OF WHATCOM )
This is to certify that on February 13, 2024, there was held a special election in Meridian School District 505,
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 2911 day of February, 2024, Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington.
Stacy Henthorn
County Auditor
Final Language
Ballot Title
Meridian School District 505
Proposition 2024-09
Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy
The Board of Directors of Meridian School District 505 adopted Resolution No. 08-23 concerning
educational funding. This proposition authorizes the District to levy the following excess taxes, to
replace an expiring levy, on all taxable property within the District, to maintain and support the
District's educational programs and operations, including teachers, staff, materials, athletics, safety,
special education, facilities maintenance, which are not funded or not fully funded by the State:
Approximate
Collection_ I Levy Rate/$1,000 I Levy I
Years Assessed Value Amount _ I
2025 $2.10 I $6,000,000
2026 $2.10 _ $6,300,000 _
2027 � $2.10 $6,600,000
2028 $2.10 _ $6,900,000
Should this proposition be approved?
Yes
No
Explanatory Statement
Passage of Proposition 2024-09 allows the levy of: $6,000,000 in property taxes within Meridian School
District 505 for collection in 2025, $6,300,000 in 2026, $6,600,000 in 2027, and $6,900,000 in 2028 to
replace an expiring levy. This levy, in accordance with Resolution No. 08-23, 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 $2.10 for each of the collection years, 2025 through 2028.
The exact levy rates shall be determined at the time of the levy.
#1P% Whatcom County Auditor's Office
&kALM Ballot Measure Coversheet
District Name: Meridian School District
District Address: 214 West Laurel Road, Bellingham, WA
Contact Person 1 Contact Person 2
Dr. James Everett, Superintendent Lisa Gilchrist, Publis Relations Director
Name & Title Name & Title
(360) 398-7111 jeverett@meridian.wednet.edu (360) 398-7111, Igilchrist@meridian.wednet.edu
Phone & email
Cynthia Weed, K&L Gates Attorney
Name & Title
(206) 623-7580 cynthia.weed@klgates.com
Phone & email
Phone & email
Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure?
Q Yes Q No
1
Resolution 'Ye
with original signatures or a certified copy
Explanatory Statement es
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 December 15, 2023
The Auditor's Office will not begin processing this ballot
measure until all required documents have been submitted.
Presenter gnature
Yes
Yes
Receive . In Verson
DEC 11 2923
Whatcom County Elections
Deputy Auditor's Signature
This form is available in a fillable form on the Auditor's website: https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3593/District Resources.
Received In Person
DEC 11 2023
whatcom County Elections
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS REPLACEMENT LEVY
RESOLUTION NO. 08-23
A RESOLUTION of the Board of Directors of Meridian School District
No. 505, 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
in the amount of $6,000,000 in 2024 for collection in 2025, $6,300,000 in
2025 for collection in 2026, $6,600,000 in 2026 for collection in 2027, and
$6,900,000 in 2027 for collection in 2028, said excess taxes to pay part of the
cost of education programs and operations support of the District.
ADOPTED NOVEMBER 21, 2023
PREPARED BY:
K&L GATES LLP
Seattle, Washington
505045734.1
RESOLUTION NO. 08-23
A RESOLUTION of the Board of Directors of Meridian School District
No. 505, 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
in the amount of $6,000,000 in 2024 for collection in 2025, $6,300,000 in
2025 for collection in 2026, $6,600,000 in 2026 for collection in 2027, and
$6,900,000 in 2027 for collection in 2028, said excess taxes to pay part of the
cost of education programs and operations support of the District.
WHEREAS, Meridian School District No. 505, Whatcom County, Washington (the
"District"), for the past four years has had in effect a maintenance and operations levy to enable
the District to pay for its educational programs and operations, including safety supplies,
translation services, professional development for certificated staff Associated Student Body
support, Education and Career Action Plan and HeadStart, assessment subscriptions, curriculum,
nursing, field trips, outdoor education, sports, extra -curricular activities, activity bus, direct
building supports, special education, career technical education, student health, public relations,
operations and grounds, district works projects, highly capable program, certified staff not
funded by state and federal funds; and
WHEREAS, the current maintenance 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 programs 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 most recently by Chapter 410,
505045734.1
Laws of 2023 (66th Legislature, Regular Session) and may be modified in the future by the State
Legislature; and
WHEREAS, to provide properly for such educational programs 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 above 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 $2.10 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation to
provide $6,000,000, said levy to be made in 2024 for collection in 2025;
B. A tax of approximately $2.10 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation to
provide $6,300,000, said levy to be made in 2025 for collection in 2026;
C. A tax of approximately $2.10 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation to
provide $6,600,000, said levy to be made in 2026 for collection in 2027;
and
D. A tax of approximately $2.10 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation to
provide $6,900,000, said levy to be made in 2027 for collection in 2028.
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 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 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
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505, WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON, as
follows:
-2-
505045734.1
Section 1. The following taxes for the District's General Fund should be levied upon
all of the taxable property within the District above the maximum annual tax levy permitted by
law to be levied within the District without a vote of the electors:
A. $6,000,000, said levy to be made in 2024 for collection in 2025;
B. $6,300,000, said levy to be made in 2025 for collection in 2026;
C. $6,600,000, said levy to be made in 2026 for collection in 2027; and
D. $6,900,000, said levy to be made in 2027 for collection in 2028.
The estimated levy rate depends upon the final dollar amount of assessed value of the property
within the District. At this time, based upon information provided by the County Assessor's
office, the estimated levy rate for the 2024 levy is $2.10 per thousand dollars of assessed
valuation, the estimated levy rate for the 2025 levy is $2.10 per thousand dollars of assessed
valuation, the estimated levy rate for the 2026 levy is $2.10 per thousand dollars of assessed
valuation, and the estimated levy rate for the 2027 levy is $2.10 per thousand dollars of assessed
valuation. The exact levy rate shall be adjusted based upon 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 programs and operations of the District
during such school years as may be authorized or allowed by law for the use of excess levy
funds.
-3-
505045734.1
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 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 the special election to be held within the
District on the 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 the proposition substantially in the following form:
-4-
505045734.1
PROPOSITION NO. I
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS REPLACEMENT LEVY
The Board of Directors of Meridian School District adopted Resolution No. 08-23
concerning educational funding. This proposition authorizes the District to levy
the following excess taxes, to replace an expiring levy, on all taxable property
within the District, to maintain and support the District's educational programs
and operations, including teachers, staff, materials, athletics, safety, special
education, facilities maintenance, which are not funded or not fully funded by the
State:
Approximate
Collection
Levy Rate/$1,000
Levy
Years
Assessed Value
Amount
2025
$2.10
$6,000,000
2026
$2.10
$6,300,000
2027
$2.10
$6,600,000
2028
$2.10
$6,900,000
Should this proposition be approved?
YES......................................
NO........................................ 0
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 the (a) Superintendent (James
Everett), telephone: 360-398-7111; email: jeverett@meridian.wednet.edu, and (b) bond counsel,
K&L Gates LLP (Cynthia Weed), telephone: 206.370.7801; cell: 206.618.6050; email:
cynthia.weed@klgates.com, as the individuals to whom the Whatcom County Auditor shall
provide such notice. The Director of Finance and Operations is authorized to approve changes to
-5-
505045734.1
the ballot title, if any, deemed necessary by the Whatcom County Auditor or the Office of 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.
-6-
505045734.1
ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of Meridian School District No. 505, Whatcom
County, Washington, at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 21" day of November, 2023.
ATTEST:
►.
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505,
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
-7-
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Chair and Direct r
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W Director
Director
505045734.1
CERTIFICATE
I, the undersigned, Secretary of the Board of Directors of Meridian School District
No. 505, 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. 08-23 of
the Board (the "Resolution"), duly adopted at a regular meeting thereof held on the 21st day of
November, 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 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 on the 21st day of November,
2023.
505045734.1
OFFICIAL BALLOT
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505
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 words "NO."
PROPOSITION NO. 1
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS REPLACEMENT LEVY
The Board of Directors of Meridian School District adopted Resolution No. 08-23
concerning educational funding. This proposition authorizes the District to levy
the following excess taxes, to replace an expiring levy, on all taxable property
within the District, to maintain and support the District's educational programs
and operations, including teachers, staff, materials, athletics, safety, special
education, facilities maintenance, which are not funded or not fully funded by the
State:
Approximate
Collection
Levy Rate/$1,000
Levy
Years
Assessed Value
Amount
2025
$2.10
$6,000,000
2026
$2.10
$6,300,000
2027
$2.10
$6,600,000
2028
$2.10
$6,900,000
Should this proposition be approved?
YES......................................
NO........................................
505045734.1
NOTICE
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
February 13, 2024
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on February 13, 2024, a special election will be held in the
above -named school district for the submission to the qualified electors of said school district of
the following proposition:
PROPOSITION NO. 1
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS REPLACEMENT LEVY
The Board of Directors of Meridian School District adopted Resolution No. 08-23
concerning educational funding. This proposition authorizes the District to levy
the following excess taxes, to replace an expiring levy, on all taxable property
within the District, to maintain and support the District's educational programs
and operations, including teachers, staff, materials, athletics, safety, special
education, facilities maintenance, which are not funded or not fully funded by the
State:
Approximate
Collection
Levy Rate/$1,000
Levy
Years
Assessed Value
Amount
2025
$2.10
$6,000,000
2026
$2.10
$6,300,000
2027
$2.10
$6,600,000
2028
$2.10
$6,900,000
Should this proposition be approved?
YES......................................
NO................
Whatcom County Auditor
505045734.1
Election Date: February 13, 2024
Name of Jurisdiction Submitting Measure: Meridian School District No. 505, Whatcom
County, Washington
Contact Name: Cynthia Weed
Daytime Contact Phone Number:
Word Count: 95
206-623-7580; cell: 206.618.6050
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT - PROPOSITION NO. 1
Passage of Proposition No. 1 allows the levy of: $6,000,000 in property taxes within
Meridian School District No. 505 for collection in 2025, $6,300,000 in 2026, $6,600,000 in
2027, and $6,900,000 in 2028 to replace an expiring levy. This levy, in accordance with
Resolution No. 08-23, 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 $2.10
for each of the collection years, 2025 through 2028. The exact levy rates shall be determined at
the time of the levy.
505056761.1