Island County voters will decide Aug. 17 on a property-tax measure to boost revenue for basic county services.
Money from the levy lid lift – Proposition 1 on the August ballot – would help pay for public safety, public health and other essential services, as well as help the county rebuild its contingency cash reserves. Without adequate cash reserves, Island County will be unable to meet its minimum operating cash requirements by the end of 2012.
According to information provided by Island County, the average homeowner will pay between $3 and $4 more per month, plus an annual increase no greater than the inflation rate based on the Consumer Price Index.
The levy lid lift proposal covers the next five years, after which property taxes will be based on the amount levied in 2015. Unless the issue is again brought up for a public vote, the rate would return to an annual increase of 1 percent.
The next election also has a mix of incumbents running unopposed, as well as county staffers running against their bosses. Mary Engle is challenging her boss, Assessor Dave Mattens, while Clerk’s Office veteran Debra Van Pelt is running against recently appointed Clerk Patricia Terry.
At the close of filing week on June 11, no one had filed to run against Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton, for her seat in the state Legislature this fall. Also unopposed are Island County Auditor Sheliah Crider, Sheriff Mark Brown and Prosecutor Greg Banks.
The following candidates have filed for public office:
Second Congressional District
Rick Larsen, Everett, Democrat (incumbent)
Diana McGiness, Bellingham, Democrat
John Carmack, Bellingham, Republican
Larry Kalb, Eastsound, Democrat
John Koster, Anacortes, Republican
10th Legislative District
Representative, Position 1
Norma Smith, Clinton, Republican (incumbent)
10th Legislative District
Representative, Position 2
Barbara Bailey, Oak Harbor, Republican (incumbent)
Tom Riggs, Stanwood, Democrat
Island County Assessor
Dave Mattens, Freeland, Democrat (incumbent)
Mary (Wilson) Engle, Coupeville, Republican
Island County Auditor
Sheilah Crider, Oak Harbor, Republican (incumbent)
Island County Clerk
Carol Anne Fortune, Oak
Harbor, Republican
Debra Van Pelt, Coupeville, Democrat
Patricia Terry, Camano Island, Democrat (incumbent)
Island County Commissioner, Dist. 3 (Camano Island)
Kelly Emerson, Camano Island, Republican
John Dean, Camano Island, Democrat (incumbent)
Island Count Coroner
Robert Bishop, Coupeville, Republican (incumbent)
Paul Thompson, Freeland, no party preference stated
Island County Prosecutor
Greg Banks, Freeland, Democrat (incumbent)
Island County Sheriff
Mark Brown, Oak Harbor,
Republican (incumbent)
Island County Treasurer
Ana Maria Nunez, Coupeville, Democrat
Shane Fortune, Oak Harbor, Republican
