INTRODUCTION
(Prior to Sunday, July 25, 1999)
Fact #1. All real and personal property in the State of Washington is subject to the property tax each year based on its value unless a specific exemption is provided by law. The tax bill is determined by multiplying the assessed value by the tax rate for each taxing district in which the property is located. The sum of property tax rates is limited by Article 7, Section 2 of the Washington State Constitution to a maximum of one percent of true and fair value, or $10 per $ 1,000 of value. Article 7, Section 2 of the Washington State Constitution also provides a procedure for voter approval for tax rates that exceed the 1 percent limit. These taxes are called "excess" levies. The most common excess levies are maintenance and operation levies for school districts and bond retirement levies. Excess levies must obtain a 60 percent majority vote plus meet a minimum voter turnout requirement.
Fact #2. Taxes imposed under the 1 percent limit are called "regular" taxes. The constitution does not require voter approval of regular taxes. However, some regular taxes are limited in time duration and require voter approval. For example, emergency medical service taxes, park and recreation district taxes, and taxes for affordable housing are regular taxes but must have voter approval.
The time limits and voting requirements for these taxes are:
Emergency Medical Taxes:
Time limit: six years.
Voting requirement: When the voter turnout exceeds 40 percent of
voter turnout at last general election - 60 percent
"yes" vote; when the voter turnout is less than 40
percent - the "yes" votes must exceed 24 percent of the
votes in the last general election.
(Please Note: Basically, The Fire Department
can not collect property taxes for more than six years without
having to ask for voter approval.)
Park and Recreation District Taxes:
Time limit: six years.
Voting requirement: When the voter turnout exceeds 40 percent of
voter turnout at last general election - 60 percent
"yes" vote; when the voter turnout is less than 40
percent - the "yes" votes must exceed 24 percent of the
votes in the last general election.
Affordable Housing Taxes:
Time limit: 10 years.
Voting requirement: Simple majority.
HISTORY OF HOUSE BILL 1154
Fact #3. Friday, January 15, 1999, Washington State
Representative Mike Cooper officially introduces House Bill 1154
on the floor of the Washington State Legislature.
(Please Note: HB 1154 removes the mandatory
requirement that the Fire Department seek voter approval at least
once every six years and instead gives the Fire Department three
options:
Option #1. The Fire Department can ask the voters permission to collect property taxes for six years.
Option #2. The Fire Department can ask the voters for permission to collect property taxes for ten years.
Option #3. The Fire Department can ask the voters to
pass a permanent levy. Permission to collect taxes forever
without ever having to ask for voter approval again.)
(Please Note: According to the 1999
Fifty-Sixth Washington State Legislature Pictorial Guide - page
#34 - Washington State Representative Mike Cooper is employed by
the Shoreline Fire Department and Representative Cooper serves as
the Secretary of Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Burn
Foundation Trustee).
Fact #4. Tuesday, February 2, 1999. The House Finance
Committee of the Washington State Legislature holds a public
hearing on HB 1154 at which time public testimony on HB 1154 is
taken. (Please Note: Washington State
Representative Hans Dunshee is the Co-Chairperson of the House
Finance Committee.)
(Please Note: Washington State Representative
Hans Dunshee is listed as a co-sponsor of HB 1154.)
(Please Note: The 1999 Fifty-Sixth Washington
State Legislature Pictorial Guide - page #36 - states that
“Hans served as a volunteer firefighter and Planning
Commissioner before representing the 39th District…”.)
(Please Note: Washington State Representative
Hans Dunshee is also a member of the House State Government
Committee, which oversees election administration/election issue
bills.)
Fact #5. Tuesday, February 2, 1999. The House Finance Committee hears testimony in favor of HB 1154 from Washington State Representative Mike Cooper (Prime Sponsor of HB 1154). Jim Broman (Washington State Association of Firechiefs), John Sinclair (Central Pierce Fire and Rescue) and Brian Hurly (Washington State Association of Firefighters).
Fact #6. Tuesday, April 13, 1999. The Washington State Senate passes HB 1154 unanimously.
Fact #7. Monday, April 19, 1999. The Washington State House of Representatives passes HB 1154 unanimously.
Fact #8. Monday May, 10, 1999. Washington State Governor Gary Locke signs HB1154 into law.
Fact #9. Sunday, July 25, 1999. HB 1154 officially goes into effect.
THURSTON COUNTY
(After July 25, 1999)
Fact #10. Monday, July 26, 1999. Resolution #11992 is
listed on the Thurston County Commissioners agenda.
The description of Resolution #11992 on the
agenda reads, "Consider adopting the resolution placing the
Medic One permanent EMS levy, at the maximum rate of $0.50 per
thousand dollars of assessed value on the September 14, 1999
primary ballot."
(Please Note: (Resolution # 11992 was passed unanimously by all three Thurston County Commissioners-Judy Wilson, Diane Oberquell and Kevin J. O'Sullivan.)
(Please Note: (Not only did all three Thurston County Commisioners vote for a permanent levy-thus eliminating the right of Thurston County citizens to ever vote on a EMS Levy again if the levy passes-but they also voted to place the tax rate of the permanent levy at the maximum amount currently allowed by law.)
Fact #11: Monday, July 26,1999. Resolution #11992 states in part, "A RESOLUTION relating to the calling of a special election on September 14,1999 on a proposition authorizing a permanent regular property tax levy providing for the continued emergency medical services for the citizens of Thurston County"
Fact #12. Monday, July 26, 1999. Section 1 of
Resolution #11992 states, “That an emergency exists as
provided in RCW 29.13.010 and the Thurston County Auditor is
directed to conduct a special election in conjunction with the
primary election on September 14, 1999, for the purpose of
providing for continued emergency medical services for the
citizens of Thurston County."
(Please Note: ? When does current levy run out?)
Fact #13. Monday, July 26,1999. Section 2 of Resolution
#11992 states “That said special election there shall be
submitted to the qualified electors of Thurston County a
proposition to approve a permanent tax levy, in the maximum
amount allowed by law, provided that it does not exceed fifty
cents ($0.50) per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, to be
levied beginning in 1999 and every year thereafter for the
purpose of permanently continuing emergency medical services for
all Thurston County citizens and to pay interest and principal on
any warrants issued to provide such services until tax revenues
are collected.”
(Please Note: Maximum)
Fact #14. Section 3 of Resolution #11992 states in
part, "That if the permanent tax levy is approved by the
voters, a referendom petition seeking reconsiliation of the levey
by voters maya be biled at any time with the Thurston County
Auditor by any person registered to vote in Thurston County. ...
The petitioner shall have thirty days in which to secure the
signatures of not less than fifteen percent of the registered
voters in Thurston County, as of the last general
election..."
(Please Note: ?)
City of Tacoma