Learn more about how we arrived at the 37 cent levy rate.
It is important to understand that, as a committee, we developed funding priorities and identified a researched levy rate that will support those priorities. The elected commissioners will develop a complete budget that is responsive to ongoing community input.
Over the past two years, the Rally for the Rec committee has done the homework — researching, listening, and designing a fair plan to create a sustainable Lopez Park & Recreation District.
Our goal: to protect the programs that matter most for kids and families, while building a system that benefits the entire community — without overburdening taxpayers.
The $0.37 levy rate funds essential, community-wide recreation — focused primarily on saving school sports, after-school and summer programs as well as all-ages recreation.
14 cents fully funds athletics, allowing the school to redirect its limited funds to core education.
17 cents keeps after-school and summer care affordable for working families, while expanding low-cost, all-ages activities.
6 cents sets aside 10% annually for future community projects or facility improvements.
Over the course of the last 2 years, our committee researched 40 different Parks and Rec districts in Washington. We met with 20 of their leaders and asked them big operational questions like: What services do you provide? What challenges have you run into? What would you do differently if you were starting over? How many staff do you need? We learned from both their successes and their cautionary tales.
From this research, we began drafting what a Parks and Rec district could look like on Lopez — one that would save school sports, protect the After School Program, and offer all-ages programming while also giving existing activities a safe, sustainable framework.
We held two town halls. We talked with Lopez youth, their parents, and their grandparents. We asked: What activities would enhance your quality of life? Out of these conversations came a proposed budget — and a levy rate of $0.37 per $1,000 assessed value.
Some ask why the rate is higher than Orcas. The answer is simple: Orcas Rec doesn’t fund school sports or an After School Program. Lopez families asked us to protect both. We wanted to ensure elected commissioners had sufficient levy revenue to provide the programming needed.
Direct costs will fund specific programs like school sports and after-school and summer enrichment programs. Leveraging our strong foundation, we will offer all-ages recreation.
Indirect costs (staffing, insurance, accounting, and registration software) are shared across all programs and have been allocated into the three main funding areas — ensuring no waste and maximizing efficiency.
Each of these expenses was compared to real numbers from existing Park & Rec districts (Island Rec, South Whidbey, Orcas, and others), as well as independent research.
After conducting an extensive salary study, we identified a range of salaries and staffing levels able to support operational success over the next 6 years. This ensures consistent leadership, professional management, and reliable year-round programming for our community.
Securing insurance allows us to provide a variety of programming, including water sports. Local community instructors, as well as existing organizations, save their insurance costs if they choose to partner with Lopez Rec creating island-wide efficiencies.
Registration and management software makes it easy for community members to sign up for programs, track participation, and keep operations running smoothly, giving community instructors, existing organizations and all Lopezians one place to hear about and sign up for programs and activities.
Legal and accounting services ensure transparency, compliance, and responsible management of public funds.
Facility use agreements, transportation, and supplies assure programs can be held in safe, accessible spaces with the equipment and materials needed to serve participants well.
Marketing, outreach, and training will support existing organizations and community members with skills to share in the promotion of island-wide programming.
This levy is designed for a six-year cycle — ensuring stable funding without sudden tax spikes. Because Washington State caps levy growth at 1% per year (below actual inflation), we needed a vision able to accommodate a changing financial landscape.
Future-proofing the system means:
Just like all things democratic, the levy framework is intended to grow and change over time at the direction of your elected commissioners and in response to community needs. We saw our job as a formation committee to do due diligence to propose a budget roadmap based on our research and understanding of our community’s needs. Legally, your elected commissioners will be responsible for full budget implementation.
Here is what will happen next:
NOTE: Actual tax bills will be based on assessed values. These numbers are meant to provide you with an estimate.
Rally for the Rec © 2024 Lopez Island Parks and Rec District Formation Committee | Website and Branding by Stephanie Cariker
