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Lacey council votes to put Metropolitan Park District measure on Aug. 5 ballot
Summary
The Lacey City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 11 66 on April 1, 2025, directing staff to place a measure on the Aug. 5 general-election ballot to form a Lacey Metropolitan Park District with a levy up to $0.45 per $1,000 assessed value to fund parks, maintenance and programs.
The Lacey City Council on April 1 adopted Resolution 11 66, directing staff to place a measure on the Aug. 5, 2025, general-election ballot to form a Lacey Metropolitan Park District with a levy rate of up to $0.45 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to acquire, maintain, operate and improve parks, natural spaces, trails, recreational facilities and programs within the city limits.
The vote was unanimous. City staff said the resolution sets the district boundary to match the city municipal boundary and clarifies that levy proceeds are intended to supplement — not supplant — existing parks and recreation funding. The draft resolution was revised after council discussion to replace the term "desires" with "will" when describing how the city would use the funds.
The resolution follows recommendations from the Parks Improvement Funding Work Group and a months-long public outreach effort. Supporters at the meeting described a multi-decade capital and maintenance gap: city materials and multiple speakers cited a roughly $60 million funding need for new parks and projects and about $6 million in deferred maintenance and replacement costs.
"Creation of a Metropolitan Park District is the only way to meet the need with predictable, sustainable, sufficient, and long term funding," said Mark Brown, a Lacey resident and former mayor who served on the parks work group.
Several residents and park advocates testified in favor of the measure, including Ruth Weigelt, Cynthia Pratt, Deb Clemens, Wendy Goodwin, Michelle Gibson representing the Park Foundation of Thurston County, Jeff Prevost of the Thurston County Pickleball Club, and a longtime park commissioner identified as Aaron. Commenters cited potential benefits including improved maintenance of existing facilities, funding to complete large projects such as Greg Cuyo Park, opportunities for partnerships with school districts and nonprofits, and regional economic benefits from tournament and event hosting.
City staff addressed questions about exemptions for low-income seniors and veterans with disabilities. The Thurston County assessor's office told staff that levies from the formation of a metropolitan park district are considered regular levies, and existing county-administered exemptions would apply where residents meet age and income thresholds. Staff said they will coordinate a presentation with the assessor's office and add explanatory material to the project FAQ so residents know how to apply for tax-exemption programs.
Parks Director Jim Burbage and City Attorney Dave Schneider were available to answer technical and legal questions; staff recommended adoption of the resolution, and the council moved and seconded adoption as presented. The measure will appear on the Aug. 5, 2025, ballot if no further procedural changes are made.
The council and speakers repeatedly emphasized that the funding is intended for long-term maintenance and new facilities rather than replacing current general-fund park expenditures. Staff and the council also noted that further implementation steps — including ballot language finalization and voter outreach — will follow the resolution's adoption.
