ORD 2000-33 2001 GENERAL PROPERTY TAX LEVYORDINANCE NO. 2000 - 33
AN ORDINANCE of the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington,
stating the intent of the City to increase the levy of general property
taxes for the City of Bainbridge Island for the fiscal year
commencing January 1, 2001, at a rate in excess of the increase in
the implicit price deflator, and finding substantial need for the
increase.
WHEREAS, the City Council of Bainbridge Island has considered the financial
requirements of the City for 2001 as set forth in the Financial Capacity Analysis approved by the
City Council on May 12, 1999, and the amounts necessary and available to be raised by ad
valorera taxes on real, personal and utility property which are included therein and updated by
projections of the City's Finance Director; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, after hearing and duly considering all relevant evidence and
testimony presented at public hearings held for this purpose on November 17, 1999 and on
November 23, 1999, has determined that the legitimate needs of the City requires an increase in
excess of the implicit price deflator in the amount of the property tax levy on real and personal
property; and
WHEREAS, in 1998, the City reduced its property tax levy for collection in 1999 by
$109,487 excluding the taxes on newly-constructed buildings and by $18,768 overall; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has the authority to set a levy for property taxes to be
collected in 2000 at $4,347,521, or approximately $1.82 per $1,000 of assessed valuation; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Financial Management of the State of Washington has calculated
that the passage of Initiative 695 will reduce revenues of the City of Bainbridge Island by
$893,282 in the year 2000, by $1,263,369 in 2001, and by larger amounts in the years that
follow; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Financial Management has estimated the City's population to
be in excess of the 10,000 persons, requiring a separate declaration of substantial need to approve
a tax increase in excess of the implicit price deflator under Referendum 47; and
WHEREAS, in November, 1999, the City Council passed Ordinance No. 99-67, which
found substantial need for a property tax levy increase under Referendum 47 for the 2000 levy
for collection in 2001, and increased the City 's 2000 property tax levy for collection in 2001 "in
the event that Initiative 695 becomes law and prohibits the City Council from increasing property
taxes without a vote of the people"; and
WHEREAS, the King County Superior Court has ruled that Initiative 695 is
unconstitutional and the Washington Supreme Court is expected to rule on the issue during the
· Fall of 2000; and
Revised 10/03/2000 printed 10/03/2000 1
WHEREAS, the passage of Initiative 695 and the subsequent decrease in motor vehicle
excise tax and other revenue available to the City (which decrease the City now understands will
occur regardless of whether 1-695 remains valid law) has placed additional pressure on the City's
ability to accomplish its mandated functions with the revenues allowed to it; now, therefore
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON,
DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council finds that a substantial need exists to increase the amount
of property tax levied in 2000 for collection in 2001 by the full six percent authorized by law, so
that current service levels are not reduced and general infrastructure needs can be met.
Section 2. An increase in the regular property levy, excluding the increase resulting
from the addition of new construction and improvements to property and any increase in state-
assessed property, is authorized for the 2000 property tax levy for collection in 2001 in the
amount of $4,608,372, which is an increase of six and no one-hundredths (6.00) percent from the
amount authorized for the previous year (and an increase of ten and eighty-six one-hundredths
(10.86) percent over the amount actually levied) plus an increase equal to the amount allowed
under the new construction provisions of RCW 84.55.010, state-assessed properties and all
allowable levies.
Section 3. This ordinance has been passed by the affirmative vote of at least a majority
plus one of the whole membership of the City Council.
Section 4. This ordinance shall be effective 5 days after its passage, approval, and
publication as required by law.
PASSED by the City Council this 251h. day of October
APPROVED by the Mayor this 271h. day of October
Dwi'g~t Sutton, Mayor
,2000.
,2000.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
~per, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Revised 10/03/2000 printed 10/03/2000 2
Rod P. Kaseguma, City Attorney
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK:
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL:
PUBLISHED:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
ORDINANCE NO.:
September 20, 2000
October 25, 2000
November 1, 2000
November 6, 2000
2000-33
Revised 10/03/2000 primed 10/03/2000 ~ 3 -