Property taxes would fund parks and zoo

An expiring property tax that supports King County parks would be renewed at a slightly higher level to improve maintenance, and a new tax would be imposed to acquire open space, develop hiking trails and help the Woodland Park Zoo, under a proposal County Executive Ron Sims hopes to submit to voters in August.

If approved by the County Council and voters, the two taxes together would cost the owner of a $400,000 home about $40 per year. The taxes would run for six years.

The current, four-year park levy, which is 4.9 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation, was approved by voters in 2003 partly in response to a county government budget crisis that threatened a shutdown of several parks.

The renewed operating levy would be pegged at 5 cents per $1,000 of valuation, with the increase allowing for upgrading maintenance to pre-2002 levels, officials said. A task force suggested a 7-cent levy, but Sims said he would recommend the lower amount to the council.

The open-space tax also would be set at 5 cents per $1,000 of valuation. A fifth of the revenue would go to Woodland Park Zoo for programs and grounds improvements.