Tumwater Park District adopts 2026 ad valorem levy after finance director's presentation

Finance Director Troy Niemeyer presented the district's proposed 2026 ad valorem property tax levy at a Nov. 18 public hearing and the board adopted resolution RTMPD2025-001 to set the levy for fiscal year 2026.

Niemeyer told the board the district is limited by state law to the lower of a 1% increase or the implicit price deflator (IPD) calculated by the Department of Revenue. He said the 2025 IPD is 2.44%, so the district may request a 1% levy increase and also receives credit for new construction, which Niemeyer estimated would yield about $42,809 in additional revenue. "I do think it's important to take the 1% when we can," Niemeyer said, noting that inflation (September was about 3%) erodes purchasing power when the levy is held flat.

A board member challenged the district's messaging that the 1% cap is the primary reason for budget shortfalls, calling that characterization "disingenuous" and urging a broader conversation about priorities and distribution of tax dollars. Niemeyer responded with historical context about the 1% limit and how new construction affects the levy base. Niemeyer also displayed county levy data showing roughly 60% of property-tax dollars go toward K-12 education and that park district levies are a small fraction of the total.

President Joan Kathy opened the public hearing; no members of the public were present or signed up to testify, and the hearing was closed. A board member moved to adopt resolution RTMPD2025-001; the motion was seconded and the board adopted the resolution by voice vote. The meeting record shows the chair declared the resolution adopted; no roll-call tally was provided in the transcript.

The board did not receive public testimony and did not specify an implementation schedule in the hearing. The adoption of RTMPD2025-001 sets the district's ad valorem levy for the 2026 budget year as presented.