Flood protection tax supported

Property owners in King County would pay a tax of 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation to improve flood protection under a proposal that received broad support from the County Council on Monday.

The council actually met as the Board of Supervisors of the King County Flood Control Zone District, an agency created by the council in April to replace 12 localized flood control district, each with its own taxing authority. The new agency could impose a countywide property tax without voter approval.

A levy of 10 cents per $1,000 would add $40 to the annual tax on a home valued at $400,000. It would raise $30 million a year.

The board took no vote on the tax recommendation, which came from its advisory committee of local elected officials, but a majority of the board's members endorsed action to repair and improve levees and other flood control structures.

County Executive Ron Sims has outlined a flood-protection program costing $179 million to $335 million.