HomeMy WebLinkAbout112723 email Please support the Healthier Together Plan through a Public Facilities DistrictALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Dear Commissioners,
I have been a lap swimmer at the Mountain View Pool for 47 years. Our sons learned to swim there during the school sponsored swimming lessons. Having a local pool is a critical recreational
asset for this community that is surrounded by water. And we believe the “Full Build Out” option will provide exceptional and equitable recreation opportunities for a healthier community
of all ages and interests (not just lap swimmers) for many generations to come.
While on vacation I regularly swim at the Lincoln City Community Center Pool located at the north end of Lincoln City on the Oregon coast. Their Community Center <https://www.lincolncity.org/departm
ents/parks-recreation/community-center> provides many indoor recreational services in addition to their aquatics programs. Their facilities and programs are run/managed by the YMCA.
It is well staffed and well maintained. In speaking to their management, the demographics there are similar to Jefferson County in many aspects - with regards to age, medium income,
and a tourist based economy. The community supports the center through a parks tax levy.
We think creating a Public Facilities District to allow for a 0.2% sales tax is the smart choice. A Metropolitan Park District that adds another line item to our property taxes would
likely be doomed before it got out the door. There are too many seniors are on fixed incomes (ourselves included) and the runaway property assessments are already challenging. We are
fortunate to live where we do - we purchased our home from my husband's parents in 1987. As two retired public service employees (local teacher and King County employee) we worry about
the continued annual creep of property taxes. And, equally important, any additional property taxes will exacerbate to our current affordable housing crisis as landlords would likely
pass on the cost by raising rents or putting their dwellings on the market.
Please support the Healthier Together Center with a plan to create a Public Facilities District.
Regards,
Debra Bouchard
James Roberts