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King County

Proposition No. 1
Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy

The King County Council passed Ordinance 19604 concerning replacement of an expiring veterans, seniors and human services levy. If approved, this proposition would fund capital facilities and services for veterans, servicemembers, and their families; seniors and caregivers; and resilient communities susceptible to reduced health, housing, financial, or social stability outcomes. It would authorize an additional six-year property tax levy for collection beginning in 2024 at $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, with the 2024 levy amount being the base for calculating annual increases by 3.5% in 2025-2029; and exempt eligible seniors, veterans and disabled persons under RCW 84.36.381. Should this proposition be:

Approved

Rejected


Proposition 1 would authorize renewal of an additional property tax levy to fund regional health and human services and capital facilities for veterans and military servicemembers and their families; seniors and their caregivers; and resilient communities. Funding would promote veterans’, seniors’, and resilient communities’ housing stability, healthy living, financial stability, social engagement, and health and human services system improvements and system access. The levy defines resilient communities as persons or communities susceptible to reduced health, housing, financial, or social stability outcomes due to systemic and historical exposure to trauma, violence, poverty, isolation, bias, racism, stigma, discrimination, disability, or chronic illness.

 

The levy would have a duration of six years beginning in 2024. The rate in the first year would be limited at $0.10 per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of the prior year’s assessed valuation. The dollar amount of the levy collected in the first year would be the base for calculating annual increases of up to 3.5% in years 2025 – 2029 and would be limited by chapter 84.55 RCW. Qualifying seniors, veterans, and disabled persons would be eligible for exemption from the levy under RCW 84.36.381.

 

Proposition 1 would require an implementation plan and an advisory board.

Please renew this levy to maintain vital King County services for veterans, seniors, and vulnerable populations. Voter-approved in 2005, 2011 and 2017, your vote will build on levy success by preserving housing, employment, counseling and other services:

 

Veterans will keep one-stop service centers, job training, financial assistance, housing, and supportive services. Since 2018, the levy has contributed to a 40% reduction in veteran homelessness.

 

Seniors will keep expanded countywide services at 39 senior centers, as well as housing, tax relief support, food assistance, and programs for healthy aging in place. Each year, 28,000 seniors use levy-funded senior centers.

 

Neighbors Facing Barriers will keep mobile and 24/hr assistance for gender-based violence survivors, legal assistance, shelter, mobile-medical vans assisting people experiencing homelessness, and supports for individuals with disabilities. Since 2021, more than 8,000 domestic violence or sexual assault survivors have received levy-funded services.

 

Since 2017, the levy has helped over 185,000 veterans, seniors, and vulnerable people. Programs are independently audited for efficiency. The rate is identical to 2017, and the median-valued home will pay $17 more per year.

 

Endorsed by veterans advocates, housing and health providers, unions, senior organizations, Executive Constantine, County Council; more!

 

Statement submitted by: Dow Constantine, Girmay Zahilay, Nancy Backus, www.yeskcprop1.com

No statement submitted.


Statements in favor of and in opposition to a ballot measure are submitted by committees appointed by the jurisdiction. No persons came forward to serve on the committee and to write a statement in opposition. If you would like to be involved with a committee in the future please contact the jurisdiction.

Simple majority (RCW 84.55.050)

For questions about this measure, contact: Leon Richardson, Div Dir of Adult Services and VSHSL lead in DCHS, (206) 263-3332, lrichardson@kingcounty.gov

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