HB 1371, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Eslick (R–Sultan), would grant additional revenue options for parks funding. Metropolitan parks and park and recreation districts are currently limited in the types of taxes that they can impose. Their primary funding source comes from property taxes and fees for use of facilities or programs.

The bill would allow the legislative authority of a city, county, or existing parks district to establish a parks benefit district that could impose a voter approved sales and use tax, not to exceed one-tenth of one percent, to acquire, construct, improve, and maintain parks.

Additionally, the bill allows a district to form a parks improvement district that can impose a special assessment on properties that benefit for funding maintenance and improvements. The special assessments are similar to other local improvement district assessments under RCW 35.43.

Dates to remember

A public hearing is scheduled on Tuesday, January 29 at 10 am in the House Local Government Committee.