November 5, 2024 Ballot Measure

 On Tuesday, November 5, voters in the North Whidbey Pool, Park, and Recreation District will cast their ballots on a proposed replacement support levy. This levy is vital for sustaining funding for essential services, including pool maintenance and operations—such as swim lessons, water aerobics, and lap swimming—as well as for maintaining the dog park, baseball fields, and various recreational programs like day camps and basketball. 

SPECIAL ELECTION

NORTH WHIDBEY POOL, PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT RENEWAL OF REGULAR PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS 

Will the North Whidbey Pool, Park, and Recreation District be authorized to impose regular property tax levies of twenty cents ($0.20) or less per thousand dollars ($1,000) of assessed valuation for each of six (6) consecutive years, commencing in 2024, for collection in the years 2025 through 2030, to pay a portion of the District's maintenance and operation expenses, as provided in North Whidbey Pool, Park, and Recreation District Resolution No. 2024-02? 

YES 

NO 

 Rebuttal to Argument Against NORTH WHIDBEY POOL, PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT RENEWAL OF REGULAR PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS  

Back in 2017, the City of Oak harbor didn’t have the desire or the resources to assume control of the North Whidbey Pool, Park and Recreation District. It seems as though some folks at the city now have the desire, but nothing has changed in their ability to adequately fund and maintain the district. In fact, with the Marina question looming, and no clear way to pay for any of the options currently being discussed for that significant issue, the city is less capable now than before of taking on what is an efficiently running entity.

Fiscal savings and program efficiency were mentioned in the argument put forth against the levy. This is blatantly false information. The cost to maintain and run the pool, along with the other programs such as the Summer Day Camp, Youth Sports Leagues and Special Programs will remain. These are separate facilities and separate programs, so those with an eye for absorbing the physical building, along with all the associated programs, are either disingenuous or grossly misinformed when attempting to convey the vast savings to be achieved.

The writer states customer convenience could be gained by the city taking over the NWPPRD. This seems like an incredulous claim, as history teaches us that centralization of program management often takes control away from the managed entity, removing the personal service patrons have come to expect with local control.

The city does not have the funds to manage the NWPPRD. The cost savings touted by not having to fund the overhead for two organizations is also false. The associated costs of maintaining the building, the pool, the park and programs will all remain and will have to be funded. The fledgling City of Oak Harbor Parks and Recreation Department (they are, after all, only two years old) is in no position, financially or otherwise to manage this endeavor if they are successful in their hostile takeover bid. They mentioned the additional cost for funding two parks and recreation organizations. That wasn’t necessary two years ago before the new city parks and recreation department came into being. Over the course of the last six years, the NWPPRD has made many improvements to the facility, updated much of the equipment, and brought many programs online for residents. They have been fiscally responsible and responsive to the population served, which stretches beyond the city limits.

The city is grappling with enough of its own problems and fiscal concerns. If the levy doesn’t pass, the pool and all NWPPRD programming will close and cease. The city was unable and unwilling to do anything about that in 2017. I don’t see what has changed since then, other than the desire to expand their empire, without the necessary resources or will to ensure the district’s viability.

 Park and Recreation Districts in Washington rely on voters to renew local levies to help fund maintenance and operation of facilities and programs. The Replacement Levy renews funding to support the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool and Clover Valley Park. We receive NO funding from the City of Oak Harbor. WITHOUT A RENEWAL OF THE LEVY FUNDS THE POOL WILL CLOSE AT THE END OF 2024!