Local Government Food Policy Database
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 |
| Year | 2008 |
| Policy Links |
Download PDF View Policy Online |
| Policy Type | ordinance |
| 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 |
| Supporting 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 |
http://www.seattle.gov/parks/levy/default.htm http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/ppatch/levy.htm http://www.seattle.gov/parks/levy/FAQ.pdf |
