Committee accepts King County parks levy pass-through; parks director warns of inequity for Kent residents
Loading...
Summary
The Committee of the Whole voted to accept King County's 2026'031 Parks Levy agreement that will deliver an estimated $7.8 million to the city over six years. Parks Director Julie Paris Gondola told the council the levy's rapid growth and opaque allocation formulas reduced Kent's competitive grant opportunity and may underdeliver direct local benefit.
The Committee of the Whole voted to accept King County's 2026'031 Parks Levy agreement and authorize the mayor to sign documents to receive pass-through funds and amend the city budget.
Parks Director Julie Paris Gondola told the council the county levy has grown substantially in recent cycles and that Kent's direct return is limited. "We're now in a $1.4 billion amount," she said, describing earlier levies as having increased 140% from 2008 to 2014 and 71% on the most recent measure. She said Kent residents are estimated to pay about $48.6 million into the levy over six years and the city's share is about $7.8 million — roughly 16% of what Kent taxpayers would contribute.
Gondola criticized what she described as limited municipal engagement by King County during the levy's design and said allocation formulas were not shared with cities. "They said they talked to 4,800 people through this process," she said. "That's literally 0.01% of all King County. I wouldn't say that was a full engagement." She also said a competitive parks-grant category that enabled Kent to earn larger awards was replaced by capped distributions, reducing Kent's potential upside.
Kyle Woods, Parks Planning and Development Manager, summarized the levy terms and said the measure (approved countywide Aug. 5, 2025) authorizes a lid lift of 23.29¢ per $1,000 of assessed value for 2026'031 and that the estimated total distribution to the city is about $7.8 million, with $1.9 million replacing the prior Parks Capital and Open Space Grant program. After the presentation, a motion to accept the levy funds, authorize the mayor to sign the 2026'031 Parks Levy Agreement, amend the budget, and authorize expenditure of funds was read, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Gondola said the city will push King County for greater transparency and earlier, targeted investments — particularly for South King County trail connections — and recommended council work with regional partners to press for a transparent allocation framework and a long-term county forecast. She also said staff would update the city's capital improvement plan to reflect the new cash-flow and funding profile.
The committee approved the agreement with a voice vote. The council will continue discussions with King County staff about specific allocations and timing for any early trail funding.
