Bellingham City Council unanimously gave final approval Monday March 13 to a Greenways levy expected to collect an estimated $44 million over its 10-year lifetime. Council’s action finalized the details of the proposed levy and the wording of the measure, and approved its placement on the May 16 special election ballot.
Council members reviewed minor changes and a proposed resolution Monday afternoon and took action at the regular Council meeting Monday night on a levy proposal that continues the current levy of 57-cents per $1,000 of assessed value beginning in 2007 for a period of 10 years.
Council anticipates raising just over $44 million with Greenways, for acquisition, development, improvement and maintenance of greenways, open spaces, parks and trails. Approximately 60 percent ($26.4 million) is expected to be dedicated to land acquisition, 31 percent ($13.7 million) dedicated to development and improvement of parks and greenways properties, and 9 percent ($4.2 million) set aside as a maintenance endowment.
Council’s earlier votes reflected differences in the community on a few key points of the Greenways levy, such as where property acquisitions should be made. Central to Council members’ unanimous support on March 13 is a companion resolution they approved that allocates major land acquisitions as follows:
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Updated: April 26, 2006
