Lacey outlines Metropolitan Park District proposal: up to $0.45 per $1,000 assessed value, estimated $5.9 million annually

Jenny Wilson, parks planner in Lacey's Parks, Culture and Recreation Department, presented details of a proposed Metropolitan Park District (MPD) that would appear on the August ballot as Proposition 1 and, if approved by city voters, provide ongoing dedicated funding for parks and recreation.

"MPD provides ongoing dedicated funding for new park features that may otherwise take longer to complete or may not occur," Wilson told commissioners, describing the district as a junior taxing district authorized by state law and restricted to the city limits of Lacey.

Wilson said the proposition would authorize a tax rate capped at 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value and that, at that maximum rate, the district would generate an estimated $5.9 million annually for park projects, maintenance and programs. As an example of the homeowner impact, she said a property with a $500,000 assessed value would pay about $225 per year, or roughly $18.75 per month, at the maximum rate.

The MPD is intended to supplement — not replace — existing parks funding, which Wilson said currently comes largely from the city's general fund, program fees and dedicated sales-tax revenues for the Regional Athletic Complex. She outlined two primary priorities for MPD funding: (1) new park features such as spray parks, trails, inclusive playgrounds, pump tracks and additional sports fields; and (2) expanded maintenance funding to support routine repairs, safety inspections and cleaning.

Wilson walked commissioners through project examples that informed the proposal. A first phase of development is already under construction at Gregguyo Park (large inclusive playground, picnic shelter, about two miles of trails, disc golf and parking); a potential MPD-funded second phase could add a dog park, additional trails and restrooms. Other candidate projects listed in the presentation included an expanded Virgil S. Clarkson Senior Center (building expansion and additional parking), new spray-park sites including a north/Lacey and a south/Lacey spray park, improvements at Long Lake and Hicks Lake access points, upgrades and playground replacements at the Regional Athletic Complex, and neighborhood-park improvements such as at Brooks Park and Meridian Park.

Wilson described a multi-year public process that led to the package: more than 8,700 community comments and surveys collected during the parks comprehensive-plan process, a Parks Improvement Funding Work Group of 15 community members that recommended pursuing an MPD, and the city staff team's review of capital needs and maintenance backlogs.

Commissioners and staff asked procedural questions about the ballot, outreach and use of city resources. Shannon, a city staff member, reminded the commission the city must remain neutral on ballot measures and cannot use city resources to advocate for or against a ballot proposition. Commissioners asked for printed flyers and outreach materials; Wilson said the city will mail factual information to registered voters and provide materials at community events.

Next steps: Wilson said the measure will appear as Proposition 1 on the August ballot for registered voters inside the City of Lacey; staff plan factual outreach and mailed informational flyers. The city council will act as the MPD board, should the measure pass, and existing advisory boards (Parks, Culture and Recreation Board and the Historical Commission) would continue to provide recommendations.

Ending: Commissioners discussed equity, long-term maintenance liabilities for existing and heavily used facilities, and the balance between capital projects and ongoing maintenance. No council action or endorsement occurred at the meeting; the MPD proposal will proceed to the ballot and voters will decide in August.