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Mount Vernon committee backs $4 million levy lid lift to fund parks and add 15 public-safety positions
Summary
City committee recommended placing a six-year, $4 million levy lid lift on the November 2025 ballot to fund parks projects and add 15 public-safety positions; council must submit a resolution to the county auditor by Aug. 5 to meet election deadlines.
Mount Vernon City Council committee members said they will move forward with placing a six-year, $4 million levy lid lift on the November 2025 ballot to fund parks improvements and add public-safety personnel.
Council member Melissa Beaton told the council the proposed levy would fund parks and recreation needs — including sustaining summer programs, replacing three playgrounds, improvements at Baker View skate park and the BMX bike park — and add 15 public-safety positions over the levy term: six police officers and nine firefighters, plus vehicles and equipment. Beaton said the levy also would provide an estimated $8,560,000 in general-fund relief to support critical city services.
Beaton said staff must submit a resolution to the county auditor by Aug. 5 to put the measure on the ballot. The committee report also noted the levy would be structured to maximize outside funding sources, including grant matches where available.
The committee report originated at the parks and finance committee meeting held before the council meeting. No formal council ordinance or final budget allocations were approved during the June 25 council meeting; councilors heard the committee report and were notified of the election deadline. Additional ordinance language, ballot wording and specific spending priorities remain to be finalized in follow-up committee and council meetings.
Beaton said the levy is intended to relieve pressure on the general fund while allowing the parks and police and fire departments to expand services and capital work over the six-year term.
The council packet and committee materials list the proposed levy amount, the six-year duration, and the Aug. 5 deadline for the county auditor. No vote to place the measure on the ballot was recorded at the June 25 meeting; staff indicated they will proceed with drafting the required resolution and return to council for formal action before the auditor's deadline.
