Council reviews draft Metropolitan Park District ballot language; staff to tighten recital language and confirm exemptions

The Lacey City Council reviewed draft ballot language and a communications plan for a proposed Lacey Metropolitan Park District (MPD) on March 25.

Dave, who presented the draft resolution to council, said the language largely follows a 2018 model resolution. The draft would form an MPD with boundaries coterminous with the city, designate the city council as the district board (ex officio), and authorize a maximum general tax levy of up to 45¢ per $1,000 of assessed valuation. “This is the language that we have drafted for council,” Dave said, noting the draft allows minor clerical changes approved by the city attorney or auditor for formatting.

Council discussion: stronger recital language and exemptions

Several council members pressed for stronger language in the recitals. One council member said they were not comfortable with the phrase “the city desires to utilize these funds” and urged switching to firmer wording: “If we said the city will utilize these funds to expand maintenance, create new facilities, and operate those facilities, with the intent to supplement not supplant, I think that's pretty strong,” the council member said.

Staff agreed to revise the recital to signal intent more strongly but also flagged a policy question: how much future flexibility does the council want to leave for use of MPD funds if, for example, a city faces budget shortfalls many years later. Dave said the MPD board (the city council if the measure passes) would set the actual levy after formation and noted that the levy set in November would determine the tax in practice.

Exemptions for low‑income seniors and veterans

Council asked whether the MPD ballot language must explicitly include exemptions for low‑income seniors and disabled veterans. Staff reported they had consulted the county assessor’s office and that state law (RCW cited in the staff memo) provides an exemption process under which low‑income seniors and certain veterans may apply for relief; staff said they would confirm the exact assessor process and report back before finalizing ballot materials.

Communications plan and flyer

Shannon and Ty presented a draft neutral communications plan and a draft informational flyer intended to explain the MPD proposition. The communications approach is informational and neutral, staff said, and will include a landing page, social media posts, outreach to parks user groups and direct materials such as a flyer and FAQs. Council asked staff to keep the flyer clear, graphic‑oriented and to include examples of projects and a clear, local cost example for residents.

Next steps and timing

Staff said they will revise the resolution language to strengthen the recital wording, confirm the assessor’s guidance on exemptions, finalize communications materials and return with the final resolution and communications plan for council action. No final vote was taken on the MPD formation in the meeting; staff indicated the resolution would return to the council for formal action and that the city would work with the county auditor on required ballot wording if the council authorizes placing the proposition before voters.