[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6200691,"mediaKeyId","3806658-c9b2d6fef461600485b3fe89ff02ab84","parentId",3806658,"title","Parks planner outlines proposed Lacey Metropolitan Park District, 45-cent levy cap","audioSeconds",1493,"startMs",462000,"endMs",1955000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806658-c9b2d6fef461600485b3fe89ff02ab84&start=462&end=1955","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806658-c9b2d6fef461600485b3fe89ff02ab84/thumbnail_462000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6200691/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Parks-planner-outlines-proposed-Lacey-Metropolitan-Park-District-45-cent-levy-cap","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200691-b9e078d98c07dd76cc6d035466296c5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194419&Signature=JiGINinGepDPpHESj51OyfG33RuhhcI4gubozIALh5iKE4jeQy4cT7-hwto46cGKHBe0SIrGnouSuapujsLcibqyABqNOCyJFppm16jZyg6YH1siOPkLIuPdifoyPFU5AoTezEftuWeFQS4RZUFVTuDyw-AAuQNNDoJXR~5vHT5gjq9R2dIHPMf8ADFlwHSbMiWqaVvaE9BjsyLWfzL3BSTrBpmkMjOlouhnHBJDB9FIcUx-vf84RmNvIKKIR2zaQKAOzxm-O7wxbQ7gf9fLiz-ae7hODdFF6Ta~LLmglG88iTgcYZCCv9R58AA75dxtFkShLax2x5ARQ9dO0XGb6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lacey, WA","date","2025-06-13T13:24:31Z","article","Jenny Wilson, senior parks planner for the City of Lacey, told the Lacey Library Board on June 12 that registered voters within Lacey city limits will see a ballot measure in August asking whether to create a Metropolitan Park District (MPD) to provide ongoing funding to maintain, operate and improve parks, trails and recreation facilities.

Wilson said the ballot would authorize a tax rate of up to 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, and that the city estimates the levy would generate about $5.9 million a year. She told the board the MPD boundary would be the Lacey city limits and that the Lacey City Council would serve as the MPD board if voters approve the measure.

Wilson said the city’s intent in placing the measure on the ballot is to “supplement, not replace existing parks and recreation funds.” She explained the MPD is a junior property-taxing district authorized by state law and described it as a way to create a dedicated, ongoing revenue stream for projects and maintenance that can take many years to complete.

The presentation listed potential capital and maintenance projects that could be funded by the MPD, including further development of the large Brightcullio Park site (the current phase covers about 149 acres of a roughly 537-acre site), an expanded Virgil S. Clarkson Senior Center, amenities at Brooks Park, expanded lake access and spray-park features at Long Lake Park and other lakeshore sites, upgrades at Walters Park on Hicks Lake, additional pickleball courts and a spray park at Rainier Vista Park, and added sports fields and other amenities at Meridian Park. Wilson also noted replacement and maintenance needs at the Regional Athletic Complex playgrounds, Hohman Park picnic area, Lake Pointe Park courts and trails at Wonderwood Park, and that several playgrounds will reach replacement age in coming years.

Wilson said the city gathered roughly 8,700 comments during outreach for the 2023 parks, culture and recreation comprehensive plan and related surveys. In 2024 the council formed a 15-person ad hoc advisory committee to study stable funding options; that committee recommended creating a metropolitan park district and recommended the 45-cent levy rate.

Board members asked how the levy amount would be set and how new facilities would be maintained. Wilson said the ballot language shows a maximum rate of up to 45 cents and that, if voters approve the MPD, the MPD board would later set specific rates within that limit. On maintenance, she said MPD funds could pay for expanded, ongoing maintenance of new facilities and gave spray parks as an example of a feature that requires heavier upkeep.

When asked how spray parks would use water given summer water restrictions, Wilson said the likely design would use recirculated water held and filtered in a holding tank, similar to a pool, rather than an open, one-pass system.

Wilson reminded attendees that state law prohibits use of public facilities to promote or oppose a ballot measure and that her presentation was intended to be factual and neutral. She directed board members to the city’s informational materials and said she and other staff are available for community presentations.

If approved by voters, the MPD would be governed by the Lacey City Council and used to fund capital projects, acquisition, maintenance and operations within the city limits. The city estimates a homeowner with $500,000 in assessed value would pay about $225 a year under a full 45-cent levy (about $18.75 a month), based on current assessed valuations.

Next steps conveyed in the presentation: the measure will appear on the August ballot for registered voters within Lacey city limits; if passed, the city council would adopt the MPD budget and set levy rates within the authorized cap.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lacey Library Board - June 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Jenny Wilson, senior parks planner for the City of Lacey, told the Lacey Library Board on June 12 that registered voters within Lacey city limits will see a ballot measure in August asking whether to create a Metropolitan Park District to provide ongoing funding to maintain, operate and improve parks, trails and recreation facilities.","taxTitle","Lacey, Thurston County, Washington","taxId",4615,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6200687,"Lacey Library reports program growth, staff changes and remodel timeline",420,2373000,2793000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806658-c9b2d6fef461600485b3fe89ff02ab84&start=2373&end=2793","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806658-c9b2d6fef461600485b3fe89ff02ab84/thumbnail_2373000.jpg","/articles/6200687/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Lacey-Library-reports-program-growth-staff-changes-and-remodel-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200687-7349cbaa1d3c26b207e575e6b94d38b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194419&Signature=JFRrlFqa4X8UtoVdo355KUu7S70BiKyRy~QZYVy6t8q2ug36NVd~QULVMIVpDBOdxFlojadR2o53VlqioIFZNSELmhNJENnRhjBCdTdYDdyb6dXab5eT9qPVnc7i4Te0KPSlTEv5xE6XM~kcQwcmI2ckgzk1AMkRdl6bVm7o2vZY7uX20yvVpxAmtQjwa0YXVTDzUPYJRmJ-Axn1hVD~DU5W470QuTsDsZfiqjA3gx8tP1RLn6QDIHfyInJpY~TJcNW-8-qDQlDRCuh1fjkWUdrz8NcuUqFYEzDeQJnj9RlWgfmDr0qD6a6pYVBQe8bK~zsGvBqo6ReM0SQ3v-olxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christina Hancock, Lacey Library manager, reported to the Lacey Library Board on June 12 about programs and operations for March through May 2025. She summarized outreach events, digital and physical checkout trends, staffing shifts tied to nearby library reopenings, new equipment and the status of a planned branch refresh.

Hancock said the library hosted a Thurston County “Energize Thurston” presentation at which about 47 people attended; the event connected residents to group-purchase discounts for heat pumps, offered bill-assistance and distributed weatherization kits. Hancock also described a Puget Sound Energy pop-up at the library that included bill-assistance tables and a taco truck.

She highlighted a Timberland Regional Library-supported employment resource called “Opportunity Begins Here” that connects employers and job seekers and noted the library’s LearningExpress Career Preparation database, which provides practice tests for a range of professional and academic exams. Summer reading is under way with four age-specific activity logs and the Beanstack phone app available for tracking reading.

On staffing, Hancock said Library Supervisor Lisa Heyerdahl is on extended leave and that library assistant Nicole Page has stepped into the interim supervisor role. Hancock noted that the Tumwater Library will reopen on June 28; staff who had been supporting Lacey will return to Tumwater, which will affect coverage at the Lacey branch.

Hancock reported technology and facilities updates: new checkout/catalog kiosks have been installed in all Timberland libraries and will replace catalog terminals after the Lacey remodel, and she said she has requested an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the building, noting, “I did ask for an AED… we don't have one in our building.”

On budget and the Lacey refresh, Hancock said some meeting-room and flooring expenditures planned for 2025 have been pushed to 2026. She described a recent meeting with staff member Shannon to coordinate the remodel timeline and said she will share proposed budget items with the board when available.

Hancock provided usage statistics showing growth in checkouts at Hawks Prairie, with year-over-year increases in digital checkouts of about 60 percent in March and 78 percent in April; May digital figures were not yet available at the time of the report. She closed by reminding the board of upcoming community events where the library will participate, including Lacey Polyfest and Capital City Pride on the weekend of June 28.

Board members asked procedural questions about the remodel budget and offered to assist with outreach if letters or other advocacy become appropriate; Hancock encouraged them to contact her between meetings for updates and to provide input.","Library manager Christina Hancock updated the Lacey Library Board on March–May 2025 activities including energy-efficiency outreach, job resources, summer reading programming, staff coverage changes, the Tumwater Library reopening, new self-checkout/catalog kiosks and a postponement of some refresh spending to 2026.","actionData","errors"]

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Parks planner outlines proposed Lacey Metropolitan Park District, 45-cent levy cap

Lacey Library reports program growth, staff changes and remodel timeline