Port Angeles Proposition 1, Formation of a Metropolitan Park District (2009)

On May 19, 2009 voters will vote on Port Angeles Proposition 1, the formation of Metropolitan Park District.

The proposition was suggested as a "last resort" to save the William Shore Memorial Pool - the only public pool in town. The measure suggests the pool's own annual infusion of tax-levy-generated funds; creating the first junior taxing district in Clallam County in 34 years. The proposition was approved.

• Yes: 6,484 (67.48%) a
• No: 3,125 (32.52%)

According to the ballot measure the city of Port Angeles will lease the facility to the proposed district for $1 a year. In order to support the new district the ballot includes a levy estimated at 15 cents per $1,000 of valuation. Officials said that implementation would begin with 2009 valuations and would be based on a value of the district, scheduled to be finalized by January 1, 2010.

Should Proposition 1 pass, the pool district's management of other parks or facilities will have to submit new ballot measure and a new levy rate.

The new district, if approved, would be run by a board consisting of Clallam County commissioners and City Council members.

Should the measure not pass the city officials will close the pool on June 15, 2009.

Supporters

The proposition is sponsored by Save the Pool, Clallam County commissioners and the Port Angeles City Council. In April and May 2009 supporters raised approximately $64,000 in contributions to keep the 47-year-old pool financially afloat.

Opponents

According to the Peninsula Daily News City council member Larry Williams said that the measure should have been more comprehensive and included funding for city parks. Williams said that instead of adding the last minute measure on the ballot more thought should be put into the proposition, including potentially a higher tax rate.