Parks and Recreation Services are currently funded through the
General Fund of the City of DuPont. The General Fund includes a variety of revenues
including property tax, sales tax, and permits and fees. The demands on the General Fund
are greater than the current revenues.
A DuPont Metro Park District would establish a separate budget and dedicated property tax
revenues to fund parks, greenways, recreation programs and park facilities. Without the
Metro Park District, DuPont parks and recreation programs must compete for scarce General
Fund revenues with other City services such as Police, Fire, Streets, and Traffic Safety.
Growth and Demand
The City of DuPont has experienced dramatic population growth in the past 10 years, from
less than 1000 residents to the current population of more than 7000. Residents have
expressed a desire to have safe parks and outdoor recreation areas to exercise, play, and
compete in team sports. DuPont is completing its largest community park this summer.
Current tax revenues are not sufficient to adequately maintain existing park and greenway
assets or to provide adequate recreation programs.
A Metro Park District Will Provide:
- More secure funding as the taxes are restricted
- Ability to levy up to 75 cents per $1000 of assessed value
- A dedicated budget separate from the City operating budget
- The City Council will initially sit as the District Board
- Local control of parks, facilities and programs is still maintained
- Parks Agency will maintain an advisory role for parks planning
Click
here to view the page taken from the OFFICIAL Pierce County Voter Ballot Guide.
Submit your comments about the Metro Parks District on The Rumor Mill
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Information from the people who want you to vote "Yes":
The citizens of DuPont for years have adamantly
expressed a desire for building and maintaining our park system.
A metro parks district would allow for local control and dedicated funds for parks and
recreation only.
1. This proposition allows for a dedicated levy of up to . .75 per thousand dollars of
assesed value of all properties in DuPont. State law caps the amount. The amount can be
adjusted down.
2. City council will initially sit as district board. An elected board could be formed at
a later date. Council members are not required to serve.
3. Funds from grants, utility taxes, sales tax and user fees, are not stable funding
sources. MPD provides a stable source of revenue.
4. Citizens, through forums, surveys and other media have expressed their desire for
active parks and recreation.
5. The citizens of DuPont along with the park agency will maintain their advisory role for
parks planning.
6. This MPD budget is a separate fund from the city operating budget and can only be used
for parks and recreation.
7. The district can be dissolved by a vote of the people.
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