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Residents press Lacey leaders on tax increases, transparency and membership costs for proposed YMCA
Summary
Dozens of residents urged caution before the township borrows $45 million for a YMCA facility, citing potential tax increases (committee cited roughly $300/year for a $300,000 assessment), unclear membership costs and unresolved term‑sheet details.
A long public‑comment period at the Lacey Township special meeting showed broad resident skepticism about the proposed $45 million bond question and a common demand for clearer tax‑impact information.
Multiple speakers said they supported the idea of a YMCA as a local amenity but opposed the township shouldering initial construction costs. Mary Teal told the committee she was "110% for a YMCA in town" but "100% against the town paying for it right up front." Other residents said they were worried fixed‑income households could be pushed out if property taxes rise.
Residents repeatedly asked for a concrete, locally relevant estimate of how much a typical homeowner would pay. Veronica and other officials offered an illustrative figure — about $3.03 to $3.75 per $100,000 in assessed value, which committee members translated roughly to about $300 a year for a $300,000 assessment — and agreed to publish more complete tax‑impact tables on the township website.
Speakers also asked for more detail on membership pricing, resident discounts and whether neighboring towns could use the facility (and potentially pay less). Officials said the YMCA had proposed a minimum 10% resident discount and priority access for residents and businesses, but the final numbers were still part of term‑sheet negotiations.
