King County voters will decide whether to approve a property-tax levy this year that would renew funding support for programs and services that help children, youth and families in the county.
King County Proposition No. 1 would not only renew a property-tax levy approved by voters in 2015 but also increase the amount owners would pay. Taxpayers would see an increase from 14 cents per $1,000 assessed value to 19 cents per $1,000 for six years.
It would cost $114 for a property with an assessed value of $600,000.
Increases in the following five years would be limited to 3% of the dollar amount of the prior year’s levy.
Proceeds from the levy would be used to support services related to a broad range of issues including: access to safe and healthy food, developmental screening, care for children and youth, social and emotional well-being and mental health, academic support, and prevention and early intervention related to poor birth outcomes, developmental delays, chronic disease, substance use disorders, homelessness, domestic violence and effects of systematic racism and incarceration.
According to the county, a set amount of levy proceeds would be allocated annually to a youth and family homelessness prevention initiative, a child care subsidy program and a child care workforce demonstration project.
If the proceeds go over a threshold amount, funding would be applied to grants for the repair and expansion of facilities that serve children and youth.
Two advisory boards would also provide oversight for the levy proceeds.