Kirkland council backs King County parks, trails and open‑space levy; approves resolution supporting Prop. 1

KIRKLAND, Wash. — The Kirkland City Council on June 17 approved Resolution 56‑85 expressing support for King County Proposition 1, a replacement parks, recreation, trails and open‑space levy set for the August 5 ballot.

King County Parks Director Warren Jimenez briefed council on the levy proposal and its allocation plan. The levy rate in the proposal is 23.29 cents per $1,000 assessed value; the county estimates cost to the median King County homeowner at about $16.38 per month (a modest increase over the current levy). The levy would dedicate funds to maintaining regional parks and trails, expanding access to fields and aquatics programs, and doubling a municipal pass‑through fund that will distribute formula‑based funds to cities. Jimenez noted a combined $144 million in pass‑through allocations in the county plan; staff estimated Kirkland’s share from the levy pass‑throughs at roughly $6.4 million over the levy period, including direct allocations for the Green Loop and a Kirkland aquatics allocation.

During the required public hearing staff provided equal time for viewpoints; one speaker participated in the hearing. Councilmembers discussed the pass‑through formula and local project allocations. Deputy Mayor Arnold, who represents Kirkland at Sound Cities Association policy meetings, described work to preserve city allocations while refining the levy proposal. Councilman Tim Chisholm asked whether the city had administrative capacity to pursue competitive grants under the levy; staff said yes. The council approved the resolution supporting the county levy; the council’s motion passed 5–0 (a prior disclosure from a councilmember about board membership on Pacific Science Center was recorded and that councilmember recused from part of the discussion earlier in the meeting).