Pro and Con Committees for Upcoming Parks Levy Renewal

City of Mercer Island Seeks Community Members to Serve on Pro and Con Committees for Upcoming Parks Levy Renewal Ballot Measure

On June 21, 2022, the Mercer Island City Council directed the City Manager to prepare a parks levy renewal ordinance for placement on the November 8, 2022 ballot. The City Council is anticipated to approve a final ballot measure ordinance on July 19, 2022.

Councilmembers voted unanimously for a ballot measure that includes the base parks levy, full funding for the playground replacements, and funding for all Pioneer Park Forest Management Plan projects except for the second phase of tree planting. The total proposed annual parks levy renewal amount is $1,629,332 in 2023.

The existing parks levy, passed by voters in 2008, provides just over $980,000 in annual funding for maintenance and operations of Luther Burbank Park in addition to supporting operations at all City parks, open spaces, trails, and recreation facilities. The current parks levy also funds capital projects at Luther Burbank Park, Pioneer Park and open spaces across Mercer Island.

King County Elections and Washington State Law establishes that the City of Mercer Island may organize the appointment of committees to prepare statements in favor of and in opposition to ballot measures. The City is seeking applications from interested community members to serve in these roles.

Pro and Con Committees Requirements

Each committee will be limited to three members. The primary role of each committee is to prepare a statement in favor of or in opposition to the ballot measure respectively.

Each committee is required to submit their respective statements (200-word/four paragraphs limit) to King County Elections by August 9, 2022. Rebuttal statements (75-word/two paragraph limit) are due by August 11, 2022. All materials are due by 4:30pm on the day of the deadline.

How to Apply for Pro or Con Committees

If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, please apply by submitting an application (available here) to City Clerk Andrea Larson by email (cityclerk@mercerisland.gov) or mail (Andrea Larson, 9611 SE 36th St, Mercer Island, WA 98040). Please limit your application statement to 300 words.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications for serving on the Pro and Con Committees has been extended to 12:00pm on Friday, July 15, 2022.

The City Council will review the applications and make appointments to the pro and con committees at the regular City Council Meeting on July 19, 2022.

Requests for an application can also be made by calling: 206-275-7795.

Updated: 2:00pm on July 11, 2022