Started by Madrona Murphy
Feb 17, 2025
Feb 17, 2025
5
What’s the difference between a Metropolitan Park District and a Park and Recreation District?
Feb 17, 2025
You might have noticed that the upcoming special election is for a Metropolitan Park District. I did and I wanted to understand what that means and how it is different from the Park and Recreation Districts on San Juan and Orcas. Fortunately the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) has a breakdown of different Park Districts on their website, and links to the relevant state laws.
Metropolitan Park Districts are based on an older law (adopted in 1907), while Park and Recreation Districts stem from a 1957 law. Because of how politics in Washington have developed, that means that the rules for creating and administering Park and Recreation Districts involve more interaction with voters and elections.
Metropolitan Park Districts were initially restricted to larger cities, in 2002 they were made available to smaller cities and counties. Orcas and San Juan both have Park and Recreation Districts; San Juan's Island Rec was initially approved in 1984, and Orcas Island Park and Recreation District was initially approved in 2009 (after Metropolitan Park Districts were an option for them).
You can get a Metropolitan Park District on the ballot by having the County Council vote to put it up for a vote, or you can get 15% of the voters in the proposed district to sign a petition. For a Park and Recreation District you need to have petition with 15% of voters signing, and approval from the County Council.
A Metropolitan Park District can be approved by a simple majority. A Park and Recreation District requires that the yes vote be at least 60% and that the turn out in the election be at least 40% of the most recent general election.
A Metropolitan Park District is a permanent property tax levy with a maximum limit of $0.75/$1000. The actual maximum limit is approved as part of the election when the Metropolitan Park District is formed and may be lower than $0.75/$1000. It can be raised by a simple majority vote of the public in future elections (up to the maximum of $0.75/$1000). A Park and Recreation District is a 6-year levy at a set amount approved by 60% of the voters and not to exceed $0.60/$1000 (and that limit is automatically lowered if all of the overlapping tax districts get too high). Or more simply, if you vote against an increase for a Metropolitan Park District and it fails the previous maximum limit remains and property continues to be taxed, while when you vote against a Park and Recreation District levy and if fails the property tax will not be collected until or if a new levy passes. There is no sunset clause for Metropolitan Park Districts.
If you want to dig deeper into the differences, check out the MRSC page, and follow their links to the relevant Washington State Laws.
Metropolitan Park Districts are based on an older law (adopted in 1907), while Park and Recreation Districts stem from a 1957 law. Because of how politics in Washington have developed, that means that the rules for creating and administering Park and Recreation Districts involve more interaction with voters and elections.
Metropolitan Park Districts were initially restricted to larger cities, in 2002 they were made available to smaller cities and counties. Orcas and San Juan both have Park and Recreation Districts; San Juan's Island Rec was initially approved in 1984, and Orcas Island Park and Recreation District was initially approved in 2009 (after Metropolitan Park Districts were an option for them).
You can get a Metropolitan Park District on the ballot by having the County Council vote to put it up for a vote, or you can get 15% of the voters in the proposed district to sign a petition. For a Park and Recreation District you need to have petition with 15% of voters signing, and approval from the County Council.
A Metropolitan Park District can be approved by a simple majority. A Park and Recreation District requires that the yes vote be at least 60% and that the turn out in the election be at least 40% of the most recent general election.
A Metropolitan Park District is a permanent property tax levy with a maximum limit of $0.75/$1000. The actual maximum limit is approved as part of the election when the Metropolitan Park District is formed and may be lower than $0.75/$1000. It can be raised by a simple majority vote of the public in future elections (up to the maximum of $0.75/$1000). A Park and Recreation District is a 6-year levy at a set amount approved by 60% of the voters and not to exceed $0.60/$1000 (and that limit is automatically lowered if all of the overlapping tax districts get too high). Or more simply, if you vote against an increase for a Metropolitan Park District and it fails the previous maximum limit remains and property continues to be taxed, while when you vote against a Park and Recreation District levy and if fails the property tax will not be collected until or if a new levy passes. There is no sunset clause for Metropolitan Park Districts.
If you want to dig deeper into the differences, check out the MRSC page, and follow their links to the relevant Washington State Laws.
Comment by Rally for the Rec
Feb 28, 2025
Feb 28, 2025
0
The Rally for the Rec Committee has an important update to share in relation to many of the things discussed on this thread. We truly appreciate the respectful conversation, questions, and research that community members have contributed. Please visit the message board for the full update. Thank you all for engaging in this discussion.
Comment by Charles (Rick) Gadd
Feb 25, 2025
Feb 25, 2025
3
Thank you Madrona. Your information here has been very helpful. The idea of establishing a Metropolitan district was not well thought out obviously.
Comment by Madrona Murphy
Feb 24, 2025
Feb 24, 2025
6
The special election has been cancelled, by resolution of the County Council on February 19th. Read and See All
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Comment by Linda Noreen
Feb 24, 2025
Feb 24, 2025
1
Monday Feb. 24th starts a Special candidate 3-day filing period for 5 member board (read Feb 12 News and Views). LopezRocks calendar Mar 19th a 2nd Town Hall for Lopez Rec Initiative “to establish a Lopez Island Parks and Rec” is still posted. Jan 15th 1st Town Hall papers were distributed for signatures, I did not sign because I need more info. Now a ... Read All
Comment by Jill Rain
Feb 23, 2025
Feb 23, 2025
1
From the San Juan Island Park and Recreation District website https://www.islandrec.org/levy/:
On April 27, 2021, San Juan Island voters approved a renewal of the six-year property tax levy rate of 38.5 cents for:
10 cents: High School Sports
... Read All
On April 27, 2021, San Juan Island voters approved a renewal of the six-year property tax levy rate of 38.5 cents for:
10 cents: High School Sports
... Read All
Comment by Dan Post
Feb 23, 2025
Feb 23, 2025
2
To make it clear, San Juan Island Park and Rec is getting 0.28 per thousand, and Orcas Island Park and Rec is getting 0.10 per thousand. You can see it on the County web site.
Comment by Dan Post
Feb 21, 2025
Feb 21, 2025
1
San Juan rate is, here is a cut and paste from someone's tax burden: SAN JUAN ISLAND PARK & REC0.2783175273
Comment by Amy Frost
Feb 21, 2025
Feb 21, 2025
1
Kevin, I just double-checked. The current levy rate for San Juan is .385
Comment by Kevin Sterling
Feb 19, 2025
Feb 19, 2025
3
Thanks for sharing this information Madrona.
I wonder if there’s an opportunity to change from a Metropolitan Parks District to a Parks and Recreation District before this goes to vote? I don’t like the idea of potentially wasting $45,000 o ... Read All
I wonder if there’s an opportunity to change from a Metropolitan Parks District to a Parks and Recreation District before this goes to vote? I don’t like the idea of potentially wasting $45,000 o ... Read All
Comment by Madrona Murphy
Feb 18, 2025
Feb 18, 2025
1
If no maximum rate is included in the resolution forming a Metropolitan Park District, it means that the District is adopting the default maximum rate of $0.75/$1000 and that the Park Commissioners may set the annual levy rate for any amount up to that maximum each year. No additional public vote is required.
Comment by Rhea Miller
Feb 18, 2025
Feb 18, 2025
3
Wow, quite a difference. Thank you for the information.