King County parks director outlines proposed 6‑year levy renewal, highlights grants and pass‑throughs

A representative of King County Parks presented details of a proposed six‑year parks levy renewal that the county has referred to the Aug. 5 ballot and described how the measure would allocate funding to maintain, enhance and expand parks and trails across the county.

The presenter, identified as a King County Parks director in the meeting packet, told the Duvall City Council the renewal would restore county operations and capital investments and proposes a levy rate of 23.29 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The presenter said a household with a median assessed value of $844,000 would pay about $16.38 per month under the proposed levy, roughly $2.50 more per month than the current levy rate.

The presentation said the levy would fund three broad areas: operations/maintenance (about one‑third), expanded access and grants (roughly 47 percent), and growth/connection of regional trails and climate and stewardship work (about 19 percent). Specific items in the allocation plan include $6–$8 million toward aquatic facilities such as the Kennedy Aquatic Center, a new ball‑field and active‑recreation grant program (roughly $13.5 million), a $30 million Healthy Communities and Parks Fund (of which $10 million is earmarked for cities and towns), an approximately $119 million pass‑through to cities, towns and park districts over the levy term, and substantial investments in regional trails (presenter cited about $182 million) and park development and rehabilitation.

The county representative described public engagement: an advisory committee and outreach that reached more than 4,800 participants across the county’s nine council districts. The presentation and the levy’s allocation plan are posted on the King County website, the presenter said, and the county will manage several grant programs that cities like Duvall can apply to if the levy is approved.

Council members asked about how the levy’s allocation formula treats small or geographically constrained cities. The presenter acknowledged that the pass‑through formula includes a base allocation (for example, $75,000 per city) plus population and assessed‑value splits, and said some program funds are specifically designated to increase access for underserved communities. The presenter also said grant programs will include technical assistance and that the county continues conversations with local governments about how to apply formula and equity criteria.

No council action was taken; the presentation was informational and the levy will be decided by county voters in August.