HomeMy WebLinkAbout070626 - Fw_ Please explain the portion highlightedFYI
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From: Josh D. Peters <JDPeters@co.jefferson.wa.us>
Sent: Monday, July 6, 2026 12:27 PM
To: Leader Editor <editor@ptleader.com>
Cc: Liz Anderson <LAAnderson@co.jefferson.wa.us>
Subject: Re: Please explain the portion highlighted
Hello James:
Question 1
The Resolution language you refer to—Section 3. Limitation on Use of Revenues—is first meant as a limit on expenditure with the Levy Lid Lift revenue received to the purpose of the Resolution
stated in Section 2. Revenue received pursuant to the Resolution only can be used to fund county-owned park facilities (including over 20 parks countywide, including campgrounds, day-use
parks and playgrounds, Memorial Field, and the Fairgrounds), recreation programs (including the countywide basketball, soccer, and related programs; Port Townsend Rec Center activities;
and 4-H Youth Development), and community centers (facilities and programs in Brinnon, Quilcene, Tri-Area, Gardiner, and Port Townsend).
The second sentence says, “In implementing this Resolution, Jefferson County shall avoid using revenue from this resolution to fund programs at a level already funded by another revenue
source.” The second sentence is limited by the first sentence and does not authorize using revenue from the Levy Lid Lift for any facility or program not listed in Section 2. Instead,
the second sentence is meant to provide a preference for not increasing funding for a particular facility or program listed in Section 2 when other sources of funding are available
to keep overall funding at least at the existing level. This limitation would not prohibit another government agency or a non-profit from funding amounts greater than current limits.
For example, were an metropolitan parks district to form for an area co-extensive with the City of Port Townsend or a non-profit raise money for the programs listed section 2, and then
that organization provides funding to the county for specific facilities or programs—such as the PT Rec Center or Memorial Field—the county would make adjustments to put those funds
toward their intended purposes first, which would enable that corresponding portion of the Levy Lid Lift revenue to be used for another facility or program that qualifies for support
under Section 2 of the Resolution, such as Parks & Rec or community center enhancements or programming. Reading the Resolution as a whole, the following WHEREAS clause in the middle
of page 2 covers this scenario:
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners understands that there is the possibility of the formation of a Metropolitan Park District (MPD) in Port Townsend and the county may be interested
in entering into an interlocal agreement with a future MPD for managing county-owned parks, recreational facilities and programs, including how tax revenues could be shared or redistributed
for the purpose described in this Resolution; ...
In all cases, the property tax generated by this Levy Lid Lift only could be used for the facilities and programs described in Section 2 of the Resolution.
Question 2
Property tax for the county comes into the General Fund (GF). Transfers are made from there to specific funds and payments made to cover the county's expenses, according to the adopted
budget. If the Parks Levy passes on August 4, then the 2027 budget adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in late 2026 will authorize spending and allocate funding to Parks &
Rec, community centers, 4-H, etc., pursuant to the Levy Lid Lift Resolution. Distributions will be made, as they generally are, based on the yearly calendar and cash flow necessity.
For example, there will be expenses that occur in early 2027 prior to the receipt of the first half of property tax in April 2027. The authority to spend comes from the adopted budget,
as does the distribution of revenue to cover those expenses. The adopted 2027 budget spells out where anticipated revenues will be spent. Then, in early 2028, the end-of-year accounting
for 2027 will show what monies came in and how they were distributed and spent. All of these Levy Lid Lift dollars, should the Parks Levy pass, will be accounted for in the county's
budgeting and reporting process.
PDC Complaints
I plan to respond to the PDC today. I will forward my email message to you for your information.
Regards,
Josh
Josh D. Peters, AICP (he/him/his)
County Administrator
Jefferson County <https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/> , Washington
360-385-9100
Note: email subject to disclosure per Public Records Act, RCW 42.56
________________________________
From: Leader Editor <editor@ptleader.com>
Sent: Friday, July 3, 2026 11:32 AM
To: Josh D. Peters <JDPeters@co.jefferson.wa.us>
Subject: Re: Please explain the portion highlighted
ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Hi Josh,
Thanks for the reply.
Please keep us updated on the PDC complaints. I'm working on an editorial and Mallory will follow the PDC complaints as they move through the process.
Have a good weekend.
Kind regards,
James Robinson
Editor
Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader
editor@ptleader.com
360.385.2900 x109
On Jul 3, 2026, at 11:27 AM, Josh D. Peters <JDPeters@co.jefferson.wa.us> wrote:
Hello James:
I have received your inquiry, and I anticipate responding to your questions on Monday, once I've had a chance to double-check some details with teammates. As you know, county offices
are closed today for the 4th of July holiday.
Also, I have an update on the complaints filed with the PDC, if that matter is part of the story you're writing for publication next week.
Regards,
Josh
Josh D. Peters, AICP (he/him/his)
County Administrator
Jefferson County <https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/> , Washington
360-385-9100
Note: email subject to disclosure per Public Records Act, RCW 42.56
________________________________
From: Leader Editor <editor@ptleader.com <mailto:editor@ptleader.com> >
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 4:04 PM
To: Josh D. Peters <JDPeters@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:JDPeters@co.jefferson.wa.us> >
Subject: Please explain the portion highlighted
ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Hi Josh,
Could you help me understand the purpose and intention of the highlighted section in the document below?
The document is page 3 of county resolution 23-0427-26R -- parks and rec levy lid lift.
Up until where it says "Section 2" the language is clear. It's the next sentence that includes "shall avoid" that I'm interested in.
Second question:
Should this pass, does the money go to the General Fund? If not the General Fund, then where?
Thanks in advance.
Kind regards,
James Robinson
Editor
Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader
editor@ptleader.com <mailto:editor@ptleader.com>
360.385.2900 x109
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