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LOCAL NEWS

It would raise taxes; vote required

City Council ponders joining Yakima Regional Library District

SUNNYSIDE (Monday, 11-22-99)---The Yakima Regional Library District would like to annex Sunnyside, and District Rep. Ann Haley told them so this evening.

The Regional Library system is a junior taxing district in the county, but its powers don't extend into cities--unless city voters agree to be annexed.

Haley handed out some facts and figures to the council.

By her reckoning, before annexation could take place, the city would have to ask its voters to shoulder a 30.5¢-per-$1,000 property tax increase. That would hike present city taxes from $2.80 per $1,000 to $3.105. Thus the owner of a $100,000 home would enjoy a tax hike of $31.05 a year.

Haley told the council that taxpayers would simply be paying into the District an amount they already partially pay to the city via property taxes, anyway. On this point, Finance Director Bud Schatz begged to differ.

He said city property owners already pay 32.5¢-per-$1,000 for the Library--which comes out of the $2.80-per-$1,000 current city property tax revenue.

This is general fund money. But it's set aside so city staff can track Library spending, Schatz said. He noted the city now pays the District $94,000 a year, which comes out of that fund.

Schatz indicated that, if the city was annexed into the Library District, tax payers would continue to pay all city property tax dollars. But city property owners would incur the entire extra Library District tax burden as well.

Since the city is now conducting its annual budget sessions, Library spending will come under scrutiny along with a host of other items. Councilmen indicated further discussion should take place in the sessions, to which the public is urged to attend.

"We might even decide that the 32.5¢ (of the $2.80 per $1,000) we've set aside for the Library should go for something else," Werkhoven said.

Other considerations also were voiced.

By statute, the property tax cap for cities is $3.60 per $1,000. Since the Library District's tax is always a carte blanche 50¢-per-$1,000 a year, the city would never, if annexed into the District, legally be able to raise its property taxes above $3.10. This was not lost on the council.

"We get stung," said Councilman Chad Werkhoven. The Library District's property tax powers would take precedence over city property tax powers if the city were annexed into the Library District. The District would skim 50¢-per-$1,000 under any circumstances.

Moreover, the city would still have to maintain, rent-free, its present Grant Avenue facility, for the District's library operation.
Given the public's tax-revolt mood, first with Initiative 601 and recently with Initiative 695, city voters might find a 50¢-per-$1,000 property tax hike fun to squash. Rumblings are that property taxes statewide will be the next to come under Initiative cannonade.

Businessman Don Outhet didn't like the tax hike proposal, regardless of the amount.

"I'm all for the Library. It's probably underutilized. The problem is, this would increase the property tax. A major issue is that only those owning property pay this extra tax. Why should all voters vote on something only property owners have to pay?" Outhet said.

After the meeting, he noted many property owners are elderly citizens on fixed incomes, for whom property tax hikes are a real burden. Moreover, businesses can't always raise prices to accommodate new taxes, because the market for items they sell can only bear so much before people shop around for cheaper alternatives.

The Sunnyside Library Board was present at last night's city council meeting, and unanimously favored District annexation of Sunnyside, though none of them got up to say why.

In other business, the council:

Decided by consent--over the "no" vote of Councilman Errol Brown--to put the city's insurance program out for bids. WCIA is the firm the city does business with at present, but the city wants to shop around.

Agreed to discuss spending for a new Fire Dept. air compressor, using dollars from the sale of the late Mable Maple's home, as was her will when she donated it to the city.

Congratulated the Nichol family and Dean and Debbie Mitchell for winning the city's home beautification awards.

Will discuss an interlocal agreement with Yakima County Jail for prisoner housing at its Nov. 29.

Will discuss at its next meeting "appropriate" Parks & Recreation fees. Any fee hikes will have to be accomplished before Jan. 1. After that, fee hikes need a majority vote of Sunnyside citizens. An Initiative is afoot statewide to rescind any such hikes in taxes and fees as local governments try to "beat" the I-695 deadline in the final months of 1999.

Set Dec. 7 for the city's next budget discussion meeting.

Noted violent crimes are down 10% nationwide, according to FBI stats. Sunnyside's stats can be discussed at the Nov. 29 meeting, according to Acting Chief Ed Radder.

Will discuss at its next meeting Nov. 29 Councilman Chad Werkhoven's suggestion that the Beautification Committee also recognize homes "most improved" in appearance.

It would raise taxes; vote required City Council ponders joining Yakima Regional Library District SUNNYSIDE (Monday, 11-22-99)---The Yakima Regional Library District would like to annex Sunnyside, and District Rep. Ann Haley told them so this evening. The Regional Library system is a junior taxing district in the county, but its powers don't extend into cities--unless city voters agree to be annexed. Haley handed out some facts and figures to the council. By her reckoning, before annexation could take place, the city would have to ask its voters to shoulder a 30.5¢-per-$1,000 property tax increase. That would hike present city taxes from $2.80 per $1,000 to $3.105. Thus the owner of a $100,000 home would enjoy a tax hike of $31.05 a year. Haley told the council that taxpayers would simply be paying into the District an amount they already partially pay to the city via property taxes, anyway. On this point, Finance Director Bud Schatz begged to differ. He said city property owners already pay 32.5¢-per-$1,000 for the Library--which comes out of the $2.80-per-$1,000 current city property tax revenue. This is general fund money. But it's set aside so city staff can track Library spending, Schatz said. He noted the city now pays the District $94,000 a year, which comes out of that fund. Schatz indicated that, if the city was annexed into the Library District, tax payers would continue to pay all city property tax dollars. But city property owners would incur the entire extra Library District tax burden as well. Since the city is now conducting its annual budget sessions, Library spending will come under scrutiny along with a host of other items. Councilmen indicated further discussion should take place in the sessions, to which the public is urged to attend. "We might even decide that the 32.5¢ (of the $2.80 per $1,000) we've set aside for the Library should go for something else," Werkhoven said. Other considerations also were voiced. By statute, the property tax cap for cities is $3.60 per $1,000. Since the Library District's tax is always a carte blanche 50¢-per-$1,000 a year, the city would never, if annexed into the District, legally be able to raise its property taxes above $3.10. This was not lost on the council. "We get stung," said Councilman Chad Werkhoven. The Library District's property tax powers would take precedence over city property tax powers if the city were annexed into the Library District. The District would skim 50¢-per-$1,000 under any circumstances. Moreover, the city would still have to maintain, rent-free, its present Grant Avenue facility, for the District's library operation. Given the public's tax-revolt mood, first with Initiative 601 and recently with Initiative 695, city voters might find a 50¢-per-$1,000 property tax hike fun to squash. Rumblings are that property taxes statewide will be the next to come under Initiative cannonade. Businessman Don Outhet didn't like the tax hike proposal, regardless of the amount. "I'm all for the Library. It's probably underutilized. The problem is, this would increase the property tax. A major issue is that only those owning property pay this extra tax. Why should all voters vote on something only property owners have to pay?" Outhet said. After the meeting, he noted many property owners are elderly citizens on fixed incomes, for whom property tax hikes are a real burden. Moreover, businesses can't always raise prices to accommodate new taxes, because the market for items they sell can only bear so much before people shop around for cheaper alternatives. The Sunnyside Library Board was present at last night's city council meeting, and unanimously favored District annexation of Sunnyside, though none of them got up to say why. In other business, the council: Decided by consent--over the "no" vote of Councilman Errol Brown--to put the city's insurance program out for bids. WCIA is the firm the city does business with at present, but the city wants to shop around. Agreed to discuss spending for a new Fire Dept. air compressor, using dollars from the sale of the late Mable Maple's home, as was her will when she donated it to the city. Congratulated the Nichol family and Dean and Debbie Mitchell for winning the city's home beautification awards. Will discuss an interlocal agreement with Yakima County Jail for prisoner housing at its Nov. 29. Will discuss at its next meeting "appropriate" Parks & Recreation fees. Any fee hikes will have to be accomplished before Jan. 1. After that, fee hikes need a majority vote of Sunnyside citizens. An Initiative is afoot statewide to rescind any such hikes in taxes and fees as local governments try to "beat" the I-695 deadline in the final months of 1999. Set Dec. 7 for the city's next budget discussion meeting. Noted violent crimes are down 10% nationwide, according to FBI stats. Sunnyside's stats can be discussed at the Nov. 29 meeting, according to Acting Chief Ed Radder. Will discuss at its next meeting Nov. 29 Councilman Chad Werkhoven's suggestion that the Beautification Committee also recognize homes "most improved" in appearance.