Town of South Prairie Proposition 1: property tax levy increase for town services (to $2.90/$1,000)

Official plain English statement

Proposition 1 authorizes the Town of South Prairie to increase its regular property tax levy to address a funding gap for operations. The Town provides, either directly or through service contracts, comprehensive governmental services to its residents, including police, fire, emergency medical services (EMS), parks, animal control, open spaces and more. Due to rising labor costs, inflation and increases in costs of maintenance and operations, costs of these services have outpaced Town revenues. For instance, the fire service contract increased approximately 40% between 2024-2025, and the annual EMS contract cost is approximately 30% greater than EMS levy revenue. The Town needs additional revenue in order to continue providing current levels of service. Without additional financial resources, the Town would need to reduce police patrols, parks maintenance and improvements and other services. If approved, Proposition 1 authorizes the Town to increase its regular property tax levy in excess of the 1% limitation established in RCW 84.55.010 for six years beginning with collections in 2027, to fund Town operations and services. The average levy rate initial increase is estimated to be approximately $1.33 per $1,000 of assessed property value or, for a $450,000 home, approximately $50.00 per month.