Mount Vernon council renames levy for clarity, appoints three pro‑committee members

Mount Vernon — The City Council voted July 23 to change the ballot title for a proposed property tax "levy lid lift" and to appoint three residents to a pro committee for the measure. Council adopted resolution 10-78 to retitle the November ballot measure from "Levy Lid Lift for Community Services and Improvements" to "Levy for Basic Public Safety, Essential Services and Improvements." The resolution had not yet been filed with Skagit County; staff said the county filing deadline is Aug. 5.

Parks and Enrichment Director Jennifer Burner told council the change is intended "to allow for greater clarity, of what the levy is actually for." The levy was described earlier in committee reports as intended to relieve pressure on the general fund and to provide sustainable funding for parks and public safety.

Council also adopted resolution 10-79 appointing three residents — Danny Pickering, Mark Holst and Mike Lovera — to the pro committee. Burner said no applications were received for a con committee; by Skagit County rules each committee must be limited to three city residents and committee names must be filed with the county by Aug. 5. Staff said it publicized openings via social media, a news release and the city website.

Councilmembers voted in favor of both resolutions by voice vote. Staff told the council that pro and con committee members will be briefed on procedures and deadlines for statements to the local voters' pamphlet.

The levy wording, committee appointments and the county filing deadline were described as administrative steps in the lead-up to the November ballot and do not themselves change tax rates; the ballot measure must still be approved by voters.