Overview of Property Tax Levies for
Pike Place Market and Seattle Parks
Latest tax proposals would add to the 14 bonds and special levies,
totaling $1.5 billion, Seattle residents are currently paying
October 2008
Introduction
This November, Seattle voters are being asked to approve three new tax increases. Two are proposed by Seattle’s elected leaders, who are again urging voters to authorize an increase in the tax burden, over and above what citizens pay now, to pay for core public amenities.
The two new Seattle levies are:
Proposition 1: to increase property taxes for six years for the Pike Place Market;
Proposition 2: to increase property taxes for six years for the Parks Department.
In addition, mass transit officials are asking voters in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties to approve a new $22.8 billion measure to augment the budget of Sound Transit. The package is in addition to the taxes currently levied by the regional transit agency.
At the same time, the amount of money the people of Seattle give to the mayor and the city council each year continues to rise. The city’s budget, adjusted for inflation, has more than doubled since 1980. This year Seattle’s elected leaders will oversee a total budget of $3.5 billion. Next year they plan to increase the budget to $3.9 billion.
The three proposed new taxes would be added to the 14 local and county bonds and special levies Seattle residents are currently paying for, on top of the basic sales and property taxes residents pay.
Read or download the Policy Brief here (pdf)
