Parks and Green Spaces (Property Tax) Levy, Ordinance No. 122749

Jurisdiction Name: Seattle
State/Province: WA
Country: United States
Type of Government: Municipality
Population: 634,535
Population Range: 250,000 to 999,999
Policy Links: WebPDF
Policy type: ordinance
Year: 2008
GFC Topic: community food production
Keywords: community garden, environmental projects, fund, green space, levy, opportunity fund, property tax, public funds, public investment, tax
Adopting Government Department(s):

Seattle City Council

Lead Implementing Entity(s): Seattle Parks and Recreation
Support Entity(s):

n/a

Funding Amount: $146,000,000 (over 5 years); $2,000,000 allocated to new community gardens
Funding Sources: acquired tax funds from levy are placed in a Parks and Green Spaces Opportunity Fund
Policy Outcome(s):

City Council adopted Ordinance 112749 and placed a levy on the November 2008 ballot; 59% of Seattle voters supported the levy; the Parks and Green Spaces Levy lifted the limit on property taxes in order to collect funds for Seattle Parks and Green Spaces; property taxes provide funds for the acquisition of land for neighborhood parks and green spaces, the development of parks and green spaces, and the development of environmental projects (including forest and stream restoration, community gardens and shoreline access)

Additional Resources and Information: Link 1Link 2Link 3