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Shoreline council approves placing metropolitan park district pool measure on November ballot
Summary
Council voted unanimously June 1 to place a measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot to create a Shoreline Metropolitan Park District (MPD) to fund construction and operation of a pool. Staff estimated an anticipated initial levy of $0.55 per $1,000 AV to generate about $8.8 million annually and said the MPD levy is not eligible for King County senior exemptions.
The Shoreline City Council voted 7–0 on June 1 to place a metropolitan park district measure on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot to fund the construction and operation of a recreational pool facility.
Hillary Dela Cruz, senior management analyst and project manager for the pool exploration project, told the council that adoption of Resolution 562 would ask Shoreline voters whether to form the Shoreline Metropolitan Park District to finance acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance, programming and future expansion of a pool facility. The draft ballot materials anticipate an initial levy rate of $0.55 per $1,000 of assessed value — below the $0.75 per $1,000 maximum allowed for an MPD — and staff estimated that rate would generate roughly $8.8 million annually to cover debt service and operations.
Dela Cruz said the city will recruit pro and con committees to write voter pamphlet statements and will return to council July 13 with application materials for committee appointments. She also described an estimated election administration cost of about $150,000, which staff say has been budgeted.
Council members asked multiple questions about who would pay the levy and whether commonly used property‑tax exemptions would apply. Dela Cruz reported staff had consulted the King County assessor’s office: MPD levy amounts are not eligible for the senior citizen property‑tax exemption under state law. She also said properties enrolled in multifamily tax‑exemption (MFTE) programs are exempt from the MPD levy during their MFTE term; when MFTE status expires, those properties would pay their share.
Council members asked about operating costs and features of the proposed facility; staff said the current schematic design could accommodate movable starting blocks and that operating and maintenance cost assumptions were incorporated into the revenue model. Several council members expressed support for giving voters the choice to create and fund a pool.
With that background, Council member Roberts moved adoption of Resolution 562; the motion passed unanimously, 7–0. Staff will provide educational materials for voters and follow the statutory process to form pro/con committees and administer the voters’ pamphlet.
