The Tumwater School District board voted to adopt a package of four resolutions related to district taxing authority and financing, including certification of excess property taxes and authorization to place a six‑year capital levy on the Feb. 10 ballot.

Ben Merrick (staff) summarized the resolutions as: the annual excess levy certification that reports to the county how much the district intends to collect under previous voter authorizations; a resolution authorizing staff to contact the county and place a six‑year capital levy on the Feb. 10 ballot with a proposed total of $49,000,000 over six years; a board endorsement resolution that creates a public, documented expression of board support designed to align with Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) rules; and a short‑term funding resolution (discussed at approximately $3,000,000) to address potential shortfall risks during enrollment declines.

Legal counsel explained that adopting a board endorsement resolution helps districts comply with PDC rules by ensuring any expression of board support for a levy is made in a public meeting and documented, which can protect against improper use of district staff or resources for campaigning.

A board member moved to adopt all four resolutions together; the motion was seconded and the transcript records a voice vote of “aye.” The chair announced the four resolutions were approved.

Staff noted supporting materials, PowerPoint presentations and statutory background were linked in the board packet for members of the public who wanted to review the earlier work sessions referenced in the presentation. Staff also explained the timing constraints for advertising a levy and forming pro/con committees: if the board authorizes placement on the ballot, advertisement and committee filings must follow a rapid timeline governed by state rules.

Speakers (as referenced in the transcript): Ben Merrick (staff presenter); Legal counsel (Randall); Presiding officer and multiple board members during discussion and vote.

Provenance:
Topic intro: transcript block at 00:36:30 where Ben Merrick begins discussion of the four resolutions (s2198.75).
Topic finish: transcript block at 00:47:40 where board voice vote recorded and chair announced approval of the four resolutions (s2993.15).

Topics:
[{"name":"levy","justification":"Board adopted four resolutions including authorization to place a six‑year capital levy totaling $49,000,000 on the ballot.","scoring":{"topic_relevance":0.98,"depth_score":0.80,"opinionatedness":0.02,"controversy":0.30,"civic_salience":0.90,"impactfulness":0.85,"geo_relevance":1.00}}]

Actions:
[{"kind":"resolution","identifiers":{"resolution_number":"04252526"},"motion":"Adopt resolution 04252526 (excess levy certification)","mover":"not specified","second":"not specified","vote_record":[],"tally":{},"legal_threshold":{},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Voice vote recorded as 'aye' in transcript; detailed roll call not provided."},{"kind":"resolution","identifiers":{"resolution_number":"05252526"},"motion":"Adopt resolution 05252526 (authorize staff to place six‑year capital levy on Feb. 10 ballot)","mover":"not specified","second":"not specified","vote_record":[],"tally":{},"legal_threshold":{},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Motion adopted; packet shows proposed $49,000,000 over six years."},{"kind":"resolution","identifiers":{"resolution_number":"06252526"},"motion":"Adopt resolution 06252526 (board endorsement for levy support)","mover":"not specified","second":"not specified","vote_record":[],"tally":{},"legal_threshold":{},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Adoption intended to align with PDC guidance on public endorsement."},{"kind":"resolution","identifiers":{"resolution_number":"07252526"},"motion":"Adopt resolution 07252526 (short‑term funding/borrowing authorization)","mover":"not specified","second":"not specified","vote_record":[],"tally":{},"legal_threshold":{},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Transcript references an amount of approximately $3,000,000 under consideration."}]

Clarifying details:
[{"category":"capital_levy_amount","detail":"Proposed capital levy amounts in memo culminate in a total of $49,000,000 over six years","value":49000000,"units":"USD","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Ben Merrick"},{"category":"ballot_date","detail":"Staff recommended placing the capital levy on the Feb. 10 ballot","value":"2026-02-10","units":"date","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Ben Merrick"}]

Searchable_tags:["levy","capital levy","taxes","PDC","Tumwater School District"]

Salience justification: Levy authorizations directly affect property tax collections and district capital funding; approvals have immediate budgetary and community impact.