Started by Rally for the Rec
Sep 29, 2025
Sep 29, 2025
4
Setting the Record Straight: Clearing Up Details from the article 'Lopez Island in Need of Financial Health Check'
Sep 29, 2025
We’re grateful for thoughtful reporting and community dialogue about Lopez Island’s future. These are big conversations, and they deserve both honesty and clarity. A recent Salish Current article by Chom Greacen, titled “Lopez Island in Need of Financial Health Check, Community Conversation,” raised important questions. Some points were spot-on, while others could use more context. Here’s a closer look.
1. Yes, we live in uncertain economic times.
It’s true: costs are rising, grants are harder to secure, and many nonprofits (on Lopez and nationwide) are stretched thin. That’s exactly why Lopez Rec is being proposed now - to move away from unstable grants and annual fundraising toward a community-owned, sustainable solution for whole-island recreation and youth programs.
2. Lopez has many nonprofits - but most run on very small budgets.
The article is correct that most Lopez nonprofits operate under $500,000/year and rely heavily on grants and donations. That fragility is exactly why the school’s athletics, afterschool, and summer programs are at risk. Lopez Rec is not adding “another nonprofit” to compete for donations - it creates a public district with voter-approved, stable funding. That stability is something no nonprofit model can guarantee.
3. Other big community projects (library, food center, pool) aren’t funded by Lopez Rec.
This part is important. Like the golf course, the pool is a privately owned nonprofit facility. Like the Food Center, it has its own independent fundraising and governance. The Lopez Rec levy does not fund these facilities. The levy is for programs: school sports, afterschool and summer care, and all-ages recreation. If Lopez Rec uses these spaces, it will be through facility use agreements - the same way we might use the school gym for basketball. It’s important to keep the private and public sector lanes clear. Lopez Rec will be a public taxing district: its dollars will be dedicated to broad, equitable community benefit, and directly accountable to the community. Commissioners are elected by voters, programming priorities are shaped through ongoing community input, and the levy itself goes back on the ballot every six years for renewal. Private nonprofits (like the pool or food center) are member- and donor-driven, with their own missions, boards, and fundraising - they do valuable work, but they are not accountable to the public through elections or levies. Comparing the two in the same visual is a little like asking what variety of apple a tangerine falls under.
4. Staffing and “overhead” are not waste - they’re how programs run.
The article states that 40% of the levy will go to staffing and administration. Here’s the fuller picture:
As a committee, we were tasked with identifying a budget that can adequately fund the services and programming we intend to preserve for our community. We spent extensive time researching the budgets of existing Park and Recreation Districts and performing the due diligence necessary to ensure adequate levy revenue. Actual budget development is iterative, and ultimately, up to the elected commissioners and open to community input.
That being said, the Rally for the Rec budget envisions a full-time director and, if needed, part-time assistant, with competitive wages and benefits that allow them to live here. For budget purposes, we used the state average salary, and we also conducted our own local comparative salary study. Actual salaries and staffing plans will be determined by the elected commissioners. As a committee, we are merely making a well-informed allocation.
Quality staff is what makes running programs, coordinating volunteers, managing insurance, keeping kids safe and handling scheduling and registration possible. Without this, we would be right back to where we are now, dependent on the good-hearted volunteers of our community. It’s simple; without staff, programs fail. We’ve already seen this with youth baseball, which didn’t happen this year because there wasn’t enough volunteer capacity.
Parks and Rec districts that are connected to city or county government typically access government infrastructure like insurance, legal and accounting support, etc. Lopez Rec needs that infrastructure, too, and envisions other organizations and individuals accessing that infrastructure to create efficiencies across the island.
This isn’t “extra bureaucracy.” It’s the structure needed to deliver programs reliably year after year.
5. School funding gap vs. the Lopez Rec levy.
The article highlights Lopez School’s $300,000 shortfall.
Here’s what matters:
The levy dedicates $180,000 annually to school athletics alone - the largest single allocation in the budget. This amount completely covers school athletics.
This protects core education funding by shifting sports costs to Lopez Rec, keeping more dollars directly in the classroom.
Afterschool and summer programs, which working families rely on, are currently funded by federal grants set to expire. The levy is the only plan on the table to sustain them.
6. Property tax concerns are real - but context matters.
Yes, property taxes on Lopez have risen over the past five years. But most of that increase is due to property value growth, not new levies. The proposed Rec levy is lower than San Juan’s Island Rec and comparable to similar districts in Washington.
For the median property owner, the annual cost of the levy is less than what a single off-island plumber visit would be. And the return on that investment is far greater: keeping that plumber and their family here, sustaining our school, and preserving essential programs that support the whole island.
7. What Lopez Rec is - and isn’t.
It is: funding for school sports, youth programs, and sustainable recreation for all - from toddlers to seniors - that supports health, safety, and belonging. And by recreation, we don’t just mean sports. Recreation also includes arts, culture, wellness, fitness and more!
It isn’t: subsidies for new buildings, development to create new facilities, luxuries, or duplicating what’s already available.
Lopez Rec is designed to complement - not compete with - what already exists.
The Bottom Line
The article calls for a community conversation -and we couldn’t agree more!
That’s why we’ve held two Town Halls, with a third coming up on Tuesday, September 30th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
It’s also why Rally for the Rec has earned endorsements from so many local organizations: we’ve met with them, listened carefully, and explored ways to collaborate and serve all Lopezians more efficiently. The Lopez Rec commissioners, elected by voters, will continue to be responsive to community input throughout their term.
Lopez is strongest when we work together. The Rec levy isn’t about “extras.” It’s about protecting essentials: keeping school sports alive, ensuring safe after-school care, and providing opportunities for people of all ages to stay active and connected.
This is a locally driven solution to sustain the heart of our community in uncertain times, for Lopez, by Lopez.
This response can also be found at: https://rallyfortherec.org/clearing-up-some-details-from-the-salish-current-article-on-september-26-2025/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNHr7tleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0MUZZOWdMT0NNTk91YkpZAR6L94BRzbKl_vlfz_qbf4z084WSjcNYEYdL8MoX9t6xNL14d1d43yEZWgxR2w_aem_svtWZ0-EUbXWfifyvajzaA
1. Yes, we live in uncertain economic times.
It’s true: costs are rising, grants are harder to secure, and many nonprofits (on Lopez and nationwide) are stretched thin. That’s exactly why Lopez Rec is being proposed now - to move away from unstable grants and annual fundraising toward a community-owned, sustainable solution for whole-island recreation and youth programs.
2. Lopez has many nonprofits - but most run on very small budgets.
The article is correct that most Lopez nonprofits operate under $500,000/year and rely heavily on grants and donations. That fragility is exactly why the school’s athletics, afterschool, and summer programs are at risk. Lopez Rec is not adding “another nonprofit” to compete for donations - it creates a public district with voter-approved, stable funding. That stability is something no nonprofit model can guarantee.
3. Other big community projects (library, food center, pool) aren’t funded by Lopez Rec.
This part is important. Like the golf course, the pool is a privately owned nonprofit facility. Like the Food Center, it has its own independent fundraising and governance. The Lopez Rec levy does not fund these facilities. The levy is for programs: school sports, afterschool and summer care, and all-ages recreation. If Lopez Rec uses these spaces, it will be through facility use agreements - the same way we might use the school gym for basketball. It’s important to keep the private and public sector lanes clear. Lopez Rec will be a public taxing district: its dollars will be dedicated to broad, equitable community benefit, and directly accountable to the community. Commissioners are elected by voters, programming priorities are shaped through ongoing community input, and the levy itself goes back on the ballot every six years for renewal. Private nonprofits (like the pool or food center) are member- and donor-driven, with their own missions, boards, and fundraising - they do valuable work, but they are not accountable to the public through elections or levies. Comparing the two in the same visual is a little like asking what variety of apple a tangerine falls under.
4. Staffing and “overhead” are not waste - they’re how programs run.
The article states that 40% of the levy will go to staffing and administration. Here’s the fuller picture:
As a committee, we were tasked with identifying a budget that can adequately fund the services and programming we intend to preserve for our community. We spent extensive time researching the budgets of existing Park and Recreation Districts and performing the due diligence necessary to ensure adequate levy revenue. Actual budget development is iterative, and ultimately, up to the elected commissioners and open to community input.
That being said, the Rally for the Rec budget envisions a full-time director and, if needed, part-time assistant, with competitive wages and benefits that allow them to live here. For budget purposes, we used the state average salary, and we also conducted our own local comparative salary study. Actual salaries and staffing plans will be determined by the elected commissioners. As a committee, we are merely making a well-informed allocation.
Quality staff is what makes running programs, coordinating volunteers, managing insurance, keeping kids safe and handling scheduling and registration possible. Without this, we would be right back to where we are now, dependent on the good-hearted volunteers of our community. It’s simple; without staff, programs fail. We’ve already seen this with youth baseball, which didn’t happen this year because there wasn’t enough volunteer capacity.
Parks and Rec districts that are connected to city or county government typically access government infrastructure like insurance, legal and accounting support, etc. Lopez Rec needs that infrastructure, too, and envisions other organizations and individuals accessing that infrastructure to create efficiencies across the island.
This isn’t “extra bureaucracy.” It’s the structure needed to deliver programs reliably year after year.
5. School funding gap vs. the Lopez Rec levy.
The article highlights Lopez School’s $300,000 shortfall.
Here’s what matters:
The levy dedicates $180,000 annually to school athletics alone - the largest single allocation in the budget. This amount completely covers school athletics.
This protects core education funding by shifting sports costs to Lopez Rec, keeping more dollars directly in the classroom.
Afterschool and summer programs, which working families rely on, are currently funded by federal grants set to expire. The levy is the only plan on the table to sustain them.
6. Property tax concerns are real - but context matters.
Yes, property taxes on Lopez have risen over the past five years. But most of that increase is due to property value growth, not new levies. The proposed Rec levy is lower than San Juan’s Island Rec and comparable to similar districts in Washington.
For the median property owner, the annual cost of the levy is less than what a single off-island plumber visit would be. And the return on that investment is far greater: keeping that plumber and their family here, sustaining our school, and preserving essential programs that support the whole island.
7. What Lopez Rec is - and isn’t.
It is: funding for school sports, youth programs, and sustainable recreation for all - from toddlers to seniors - that supports health, safety, and belonging. And by recreation, we don’t just mean sports. Recreation also includes arts, culture, wellness, fitness and more!
It isn’t: subsidies for new buildings, development to create new facilities, luxuries, or duplicating what’s already available.
Lopez Rec is designed to complement - not compete with - what already exists.
The Bottom Line
The article calls for a community conversation -and we couldn’t agree more!
That’s why we’ve held two Town Halls, with a third coming up on Tuesday, September 30th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
It’s also why Rally for the Rec has earned endorsements from so many local organizations: we’ve met with them, listened carefully, and explored ways to collaborate and serve all Lopezians more efficiently. The Lopez Rec commissioners, elected by voters, will continue to be responsive to community input throughout their term.
Lopez is strongest when we work together. The Rec levy isn’t about “extras.” It’s about protecting essentials: keeping school sports alive, ensuring safe after-school care, and providing opportunities for people of all ages to stay active and connected.
This is a locally driven solution to sustain the heart of our community in uncertain times, for Lopez, by Lopez.
This response can also be found at: https://rallyfortherec.org/clearing-up-some-details-from-the-salish-current-article-on-september-26-2025/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNHr7tleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0MUZZOWdMT0NNTk91YkpZAR6L94BRzbKl_vlfz_qbf4z084WSjcNYEYdL8MoX9t6xNL14d1d43yEZWgxR2w_aem_svtWZ0-EUbXWfifyvajzaA
Comment by Heike And Terry
Oct 8, 2025
Oct 8, 2025
5
The levy vote: The P&R levy should be viewed in the greater context of all property taxes. Voters approved for 2026 a new school levy ($.039/$1000 prop value) and the library levy increase (0.18). The P&R rate is .37. The total rate increase would be .59.
So for a 1 million $ property, this 2026 incr ... Read All
So for a 1 million $ property, this 2026 incr ... Read All
Comment by Rally for the Rec
Oct 7, 2025
Oct 7, 2025
2
This is in response to the comment: "What I have seen is a well-funded marketing campaign - matching “Lopez Rec” sweatshirts, glossy commissioner postcards, and branded materials galore. If that’s a preview of how they intend to spend taxpayer dollars, we should al ... Read All
Comment by Rally for the Rec
Oct 7, 2025
Oct 7, 2025
2
This is in response to the comment: We already have an abundance of recreation opportunities on Lopez. The Lopez Island Family Resource Center (LIFRC) and Lopez Island Education Foundation (LIEF) both offer excellent youth and community programs. The Lopez Library, too, provides a remarkable range of enrichment options - from birding and nature walks to arts ... Read All
Comment by Rally for the Rec
Oct 7, 2025
Oct 7, 2025
2
Us folks on the committee just want to say thank you for being so engaged in the democratic process - we really appreciate it. It’s been a challenge to keep up with all the comments here and on Facebook, but we’re doing our best! We’ll also keep trying to post answers here that we’ve shared else ... Read All
Comment by Rally for the Rec
Oct 7, 2025
Oct 7, 2025
2
This is in response to the comment: "It seems the Formation Committee has been operating in something of an echo chamber. I’m not sure what kind of community outreach they conducted during the planning process, but I never saw any evidence o ... Read All
Comment by Beth Andrewes
Oct 6, 2025
Oct 6, 2025
9
Meredith, I and it seems like many others opposed to the levy are not opposed to supporting Lopez Youth. In fact we Only want to support Lopez Youth, but not via this levy. Your "everyone's lack of compassion" statement is pretty strong. Who is everybody? Have you read through the Lopez Community threads on this subject? I haven't seen o ... Read All
Comment by Meredith Perry
Oct 6, 2025
Oct 6, 2025
2
There's a LOT to parse here, but I think the most distressing is everyone's lack of compassion for young families on Lopez. Ya'll want to go to the grocery store and have someone to check you out? You sprain your ankle and need a nurse to look at it at the clinic? Your house catches on fire? You need an EMT? ALL THOSE POEPLE have children who ... Read All
Comment by Leslie Richter
Oct 5, 2025
Oct 5, 2025
10
I’d like to raise another fiscal concern. Back in May, this chart was posted on the Rally for the Rec website. Out of the proposed $826,000 yearly tax levy, the chart shows 8.91% -- or $73,597, allocated to Capital Investment. This category is separate from recreational programming.
At the recent t ... Read All
At the recent t ... Read All
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Comment by Becca Peter
Oct 5, 2025
Oct 5, 2025
4
The superintendent (director) of Seattle Parks & Rec is AP Diaz. Public records from the City of Seattle indicates he makes $147.53 per hour, which translates to around $306,000 per year.
Comment by Eli Derzay
Oct 5, 2025
Oct 5, 2025
14
Nothing from the original poster seems that compelling. As others have noted it sounds like marketing jargon. The OP states the levy will will support organizations/programs that already exist. Organizations with their own administrative/staff overhead. It seems inefficient to fund a supplementary program with its own costly overhead. Anecdotally, I dont t ... Read All
Comment by Leslie Richter
Oct 4, 2025
Oct 4, 2025
9
Heike & Terry:
Thanks for your thoughtful and well-stated comments -- they echo my own concerns exactly. It seems the Formation Committee has been operating in something of an echo chamber. I’m not sure what kind of community outreach they conducted during the planning process, but I never saw any evidence of it. What I have s ... Read All
Thanks for your thoughtful and well-stated comments -- they echo my own concerns exactly. It seems the Formation Committee has been operating in something of an echo chamber. I’m not sure what kind of community outreach they conducted during the planning process, but I never saw any evidence of it. What I have s ... Read All
Comment by Rally for the Rec
Oct 4, 2025
Oct 4, 2025
1
Just wanted to respond to the following comment: "In these challenging financial times we need to assess what is essential, as opposed to what we might like to have. Recreational facilities do not strike me as an essential item nor do they seem to be in short supply. The school already has recreational facilities, there are gym facilities in the village ... Read All
Comment by Heike And Terry
Oct 3, 2025
Oct 3, 2025
14
All the P&R’s sponsors’ unspecific, illogical, and annoying marketing language aside for a moment, what’s left?
40% ($337K) of the budget to be spent on staff and administration (and you know it’ll creep up). And much higher ($3700) per ... Read All
40% ($337K) of the budget to be spent on staff and administration (and you know it’ll creep up). And much higher ($3700) per ... Read All
Comment by Rally for the Rec
Oct 2, 2025
Oct 2, 2025
1
Response to "What is wrong with relying a lot on good hearted volunteers."
It's a great question, and deserves a considered answer! We understand that it feels like everything used to run on volunteers alone, but it’s worth noting that while volunteers have always played a vital role ... Read All
It's a great question, and deserves a considered answer! We understand that it feels like everything used to run on volunteers alone, but it’s worth noting that while volunteers have always played a vital role ... Read All
Comment by Rally for the Rec
Oct 2, 2025
Oct 2, 2025
1
Thanks for clarifying - that helps a lot. So you’re not talking about the core classes kids get credit for, or regularly scheduled instruction, but rather the enrichment activities, field trips, and special programs that come in as extras. That distinction is important, because while these are valuable opportunities for students, they aren’t part of the ... Read All
Comment by Chuenchom Greacen
Oct 2, 2025
Oct 2, 2025
7
Response to Rally for Lopez Rec RE: Lopez school not offering outdoor education or garden program:
Isn't the school offering L.I.F.E. Garden Program? (See: https://www.lopezislandschool.org/special_programs/l_i_f_e_garden_program) Locavore ... Read All
Isn't the school offering L.I.F.E. Garden Program? (See: https://www.lopezislandschool.org/special_programs/l_i_f_e_garden_program) Locavore ... Read All
Comment by Chuenchom Greacen
Oct 2, 2025
Oct 2, 2025
3
Response to Rally for Lopez Rec. Re: uncontested candidates sharing each of their views on willingness to adjust the budget based on community input:
My understanding is that the candidates forum is not planning to include the uncontested candidates in the schedule, base ... Read All
My understanding is that the candidates forum is not planning to include the uncontested candidates in the schedule, base ... Read All
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Comment by Beth Andrewes
Oct 1, 2025
Oct 1, 2025
4
Terry and Heike, This chart is powerful. If you post it on the Lopez Community Board on Facebook it will be seen by many, many more eyes.
Comment by Rally for the Rec
Oct 1, 2025
Oct 1, 2025
1
This is in response to Chom's questions regarding more money going to the school, the views of the commissioners, and forms of feedback.
Response:
The three uncontested candidates plan to attend the Candidates Forum on Tuesday, October 6, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Grace ... Read All
Response:
The three uncontested candidates plan to attend the Candidates Forum on Tuesday, October 6, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Grace ... Read All
Comment by Heike And Terry
Oct 1, 2025
Oct 1, 2025
10
2025 School taxes:
SJ: $5540 per student. With P&R: ... Read All
SJ: $5540 per student. With P&R: ... Read All
Comment by Rally for the Rec
Oct 1, 2025
Oct 1, 2025
1
We will try to get to answering comments/questions as we can with juggling work etc! Thanks for being patient.
As to the question: "Rally for the Rec, When you say the levy will support "afterschool and summer care" what do you mean by that? That does not sound like sports or recreat ... Read All
As to the question: "Rally for the Rec, When you say the levy will support "afterschool and summer care" what do you mean by that? That does not sound like sports or recreat ... Read All
Comment by Beth Andrewes
Sep 30, 2025
Sep 30, 2025
6
Hi Ralliers and our Lopez community,
I want to comment on a couple of things.
1.I question what is wrong with relying a lot on good hearted volunteers. Historically communities have relied on good hearted volunteer ... Read All
I want to comment on a couple of things.
1.I question what is wrong with relying a lot on good hearted volunteers. Historically communities have relied on good hearted volunteer ... Read All
Comment by Leslie Richter
Sep 30, 2025
Sep 30, 2025
10
Hazel makes so many good points!
I support funding opportunities for kids’ sports, but I cannot support this proposal. The requested tax levy is significant, and it places a disproportionate burden on property owners to benefit a relatively sm ... Read All
I support funding opportunities for kids’ sports, but I cannot support this proposal. The requested tax levy is significant, and it places a disproportionate burden on property owners to benefit a relatively sm ... Read All
Comment by Dan Post
Sep 30, 2025
Sep 30, 2025
1
Lopez Rec Committee, thank you for your response. So is your short answer that your current budget proposal will not only fund Recreation/Sports but will plan to fund child daycare also?
Comment by Chuenchom Greacen
Sep 30, 2025
Sep 30, 2025
7
I'm glad to read you're are "primarily motivated to...address the school’s ongoing financial challenges." The current budget allocation for the school is only 21%. Would you consider directing more levy funds for the school and youth programs and less to overhead and staffing?
F ... Read All
F ... Read All
Comment by Rally for the Rec
Sep 29, 2025
Sep 29, 2025
1
The Rally for the Rec committee has been meeting consistently since 2023 - primarily motivated to preserve school athletics and address the school’s ongoing financial challenges. In our initial outreach to existing organizations, we learned that summer workshops and afterschool programming are also at risk, as the federal grants funding them are set to exp ... Read All
Comment by Dan Post
Sep 29, 2025
Sep 29, 2025
5
Rally for the Rec, When you say the levy will support "afterschool and summer care" what do you mean by that? That does not sound like sports or recreation but does make it sound like daycare will be funded.
Comment by Hazel Burns
Sep 29, 2025
Sep 29, 2025
10
My property taxes are already based on a valuation which is higher than what I might hope to sell my property for and, it seems, every year there is yet another item on the ballot which requires more funding by the county. The various items may not amount to very much individually but collectively they add up to a lot. It does not matter why the propert ... Read All