Started by Karlena Pickering (Lopez Village Properties, LLC)
Apr 6, 2026
Apr 6, 2026
14
Inquiry for Lopez Rec Commission
Apr 6, 2026
(Note: I needed to edit this post and for some reason I can't, nor can I delete the other one, hopefully Povl will remove the duplicate :-)
The idea that asking pertinent questions and seeking informed answers, automatically equates to not supporting school sports or youth programs is unhelpful. It alienates long-time supporters of the school and youth. We are allies of the school and Lopez youth. We want a thriving school and a civic minded community who can engage in debate and find solutions. Our questions are simply to clarify the new levy of $0.23 for the Rec and its connection to the school sports.
As long-standing supporters of our local school and public education in general, our group includes those who voted yes or previously split their support or opposed both the proposed Lopez Rec District and its associated levy in November 2025. Answers from the Rec commissioners would help many voters who are confused and want to make an informed decision.
At the February 26, 2026 Lopez Island Park and Recreation Commission meeting, the Rec Budget Committee presented scenarios ranging from $0.22 - $0.10, yet the Commission voted for $0.23. Those who attended the meeting or listened have not yet found the rationale for this decision. How did the Commission weigh the risk of levy success/failure, given that many "no" voters indicated they would support a minimal $0.10 - $0.18 levy focused primarily on school sports and youth activities?
In choosing the $0.23 levy amount, the commission opted for larger administrative and operation costs in order to have the capacity to provide youth summer activities that are currently provided by LIFRC. Why is this necessary? Have LIFRC and the Rec agreed on line-item budgets and program delineation between the two groups? Is this available to share with voters?
Given LIFRC has the infrastructure (website, registration software, equipment), and proven fundraising capability, wouldn’t it make sense for the Rec to not create a system of redundant infrastructure and choose a lesser levy amount?
If the Rec board loses this levy, does the Rec plan to assist the Lopez Island Education Foundation (LIEF) in raising funds to cover youth related activities including school sports? What options have been considered?
Can the Rec be funded by private donations if the voters decide not to fund it?
It has been suggested that it is legally impermissible for Lopez Rec public funds to exclusively support school sports. Is this based on an official legal opinion? Could you please post the legal opinion?
If the Rec is funded, can inter-local agreement between LISD and Lopez Rec be structured so that the broader community has access to the school’s facilities during off-hours so more people can benefit directly from its support of the school’s sports?
We commend the successful efforts to secure $412k grants for the school solar project, which is projected to save $20,000-25,000k annually. Is Lopez Rec committed to seeking funds beyond tax levies.
Win or lose on April 28, can the Lopez Rec Commissioners see its way to engage in open dialogue with the community of Lopez? We are allies and want to see a thriving vibrant school including a fully functional sports program. Being pitted against each other doesn’t feel right or productive. If the leadership of both the Rec and LISD modeled healthy civic discourse and helped devise a community-generated plan, we are confident that more than 60% of the community would rally for the youth, and the youth would in turn learn to value a civic society.
The idea that asking pertinent questions and seeking informed answers, automatically equates to not supporting school sports or youth programs is unhelpful. It alienates long-time supporters of the school and youth. We are allies of the school and Lopez youth. We want a thriving school and a civic minded community who can engage in debate and find solutions. Our questions are simply to clarify the new levy of $0.23 for the Rec and its connection to the school sports.
As long-standing supporters of our local school and public education in general, our group includes those who voted yes or previously split their support or opposed both the proposed Lopez Rec District and its associated levy in November 2025. Answers from the Rec commissioners would help many voters who are confused and want to make an informed decision.
At the February 26, 2026 Lopez Island Park and Recreation Commission meeting, the Rec Budget Committee presented scenarios ranging from $0.22 - $0.10, yet the Commission voted for $0.23. Those who attended the meeting or listened have not yet found the rationale for this decision. How did the Commission weigh the risk of levy success/failure, given that many "no" voters indicated they would support a minimal $0.10 - $0.18 levy focused primarily on school sports and youth activities?
In choosing the $0.23 levy amount, the commission opted for larger administrative and operation costs in order to have the capacity to provide youth summer activities that are currently provided by LIFRC. Why is this necessary? Have LIFRC and the Rec agreed on line-item budgets and program delineation between the two groups? Is this available to share with voters?
Given LIFRC has the infrastructure (website, registration software, equipment), and proven fundraising capability, wouldn’t it make sense for the Rec to not create a system of redundant infrastructure and choose a lesser levy amount?
If the Rec board loses this levy, does the Rec plan to assist the Lopez Island Education Foundation (LIEF) in raising funds to cover youth related activities including school sports? What options have been considered?
Can the Rec be funded by private donations if the voters decide not to fund it?
It has been suggested that it is legally impermissible for Lopez Rec public funds to exclusively support school sports. Is this based on an official legal opinion? Could you please post the legal opinion?
If the Rec is funded, can inter-local agreement between LISD and Lopez Rec be structured so that the broader community has access to the school’s facilities during off-hours so more people can benefit directly from its support of the school’s sports?
We commend the successful efforts to secure $412k grants for the school solar project, which is projected to save $20,000-25,000k annually. Is Lopez Rec committed to seeking funds beyond tax levies.
Win or lose on April 28, can the Lopez Rec Commissioners see its way to engage in open dialogue with the community of Lopez? We are allies and want to see a thriving vibrant school including a fully functional sports program. Being pitted against each other doesn’t feel right or productive. If the leadership of both the Rec and LISD modeled healthy civic discourse and helped devise a community-generated plan, we are confident that more than 60% of the community would rally for the youth, and the youth would in turn learn to value a civic society.
Comment by Karen Eames
Apr 10, 2026
Apr 10, 2026
1
I think most of Karlena's report has had responses already and I hope that my fellow Lopezians who were insulted and/or ignored are seeing better information and more respect for their concerns.
That said, I would like to remind all of us that this is about more than sports. We can get into the ... Read All
That said, I would like to remind all of us that this is about more than sports. We can get into the ... Read All
Comment by Kim Ihlenfeldt
Orcas Island
Apr 8, 2026
Orcas Island
Apr 8, 2026
7
Hi Laurie and Lopez community, thank you for expressing your support of community park and recreation! I am the executive director for Orcas Island Park and Rec and just wanted to offer clarification.
Sadly, MRSC has an error in reporting our levy rate. Our last levy was ... Read All
Sadly, MRSC has an error in reporting our levy rate. Our last levy was ... Read All
Comment by Laurie Bullock
Apr 7, 2026
Apr 7, 2026
4
Hi Heiki and Terry
I used this site to look up local ballot measures
https://mrsc.org/mrsctools/Elections.aspx#results
I searched by
County: San Juan
Government Type: Park District
Election: All Years
Lopez Island Park and Recreation District
Forming new park and recreation district for Lopez Island.
November 2025 - Passed (59.98% / 40.02%)
Lopez Island Park and Recreation District
Park and recreation district regular levy (6 years, $0.37).
November 2025 - Failed (49.69% / 50.31%)
Orcas Island Park and Recreation District
Park and recreation district regular levy (6 years, $0.50).
November 2021 - Passed (67.96% / 32.04%)
San Juan Island Park and Recreation District
Park and recreation district regular levy (6 years, $0.39) for parks and recreation services, operations, maintenance, and school sports programs.
April 2021 - Passed (79.99% / 20.01%)
When you click through on each you get the full ballot measure which states each rate. SJI does seem to be 38.5 cents and, Orcas is listed lower at 15 cents (so that .50 must have been a typo).
After looking at the SJC election page to see what was listed on the ballots it lists 38.5 cents for the SJI Parks and Rec (April 2021). And 15 cents for the Orcas Parks and Rec (Nov 2021).
I do know a district can take up to a certain rate (but it doesn't mean they have to take that amount). It could be SJI and Orcas are no longer needing to take up to the amount stated in their ballot measures or their levy has some sort of lid on it. Focusing on what was passed is good informat ... Read All
I used this site to look up local ballot measures
https://mrsc.org/mrsctools/Elections.aspx#results
I searched by
County: San Juan
Government Type: Park District
Election: All Years
Lopez Island Park and Recreation District
Forming new park and recreation district for Lopez Island.
November 2025 - Passed (59.98% / 40.02%)
Lopez Island Park and Recreation District
Park and recreation district regular levy (6 years, $0.37).
November 2025 - Failed (49.69% / 50.31%)
Orcas Island Park and Recreation District
Park and recreation district regular levy (6 years, $0.50).
November 2021 - Passed (67.96% / 32.04%)
San Juan Island Park and Recreation District
Park and recreation district regular levy (6 years, $0.39) for parks and recreation services, operations, maintenance, and school sports programs.
April 2021 - Passed (79.99% / 20.01%)
When you click through on each you get the full ballot measure which states each rate. SJI does seem to be 38.5 cents and, Orcas is listed lower at 15 cents (so that .50 must have been a typo).
After looking at the SJC election page to see what was listed on the ballots it lists 38.5 cents for the SJI Parks and Rec (April 2021). And 15 cents for the Orcas Parks and Rec (Nov 2021).
I do know a district can take up to a certain rate (but it doesn't mean they have to take that amount). It could be SJI and Orcas are no longer needing to take up to the amount stated in their ballot measures or their levy has some sort of lid on it. Focusing on what was passed is good informat ... Read All
Comment by Heike And Terry
Apr 7, 2026
Apr 7, 2026
3
Laurie, the Orcas P&R rate is 10c, the San Juan P&R rate is 28c. See page 14 of the assessor booklet for all the current levy rates. You stated “Orcas Island’s Park and Rec levy rate is $0.50, and San Juan Island’s is $0.39. What Lopez is proposing is well under both those rates now.” https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/34835/2026-Ass ... Read All
Comment by Laurie Bullock
Apr 7, 2026
Apr 7, 2026
3
Thanks, Karlena, for your post. I’ve been following the dialogue on LopezRocks and Facebook as well, and you raise a lot of important questions as we are all trying to figure out how best to support our island youth. I wholeheartedly believe that Lopez youth are deeply supported by this community - regardless of where we stand when it comes to levies and v ... Read All
Comment by Aurore Maren
Apr 7, 2026
Apr 7, 2026
4
Dear Karlena,
Thank you so much for demonstrating "Civil"
engagement.
All issues on a ballot, whether so called "big" or "small" are opportunities for everyone in this American demo ... Read All
Thank you so much for demonstrating "Civil"
engagement.
All issues on a ballot, whether so called "big" or "small" are opportunities for everyone in this American demo ... Read All