Bainbridge council clears Prop. 1 for ballot

By Brian Kelly • July 10, 2018 7:30 pm
The Bainbridge Island City Council cleared Proposition 1 for the fall ballot at this week’s council meeting, including a change to the ballot measure’s title.
The Bainbridge Island City Council cleared Proposition 1 for the fall ballot at this week’s council meeting, including a change to the ballot measure’s title.

The Bainbridge Island City Council voted unanimously at its Tuesday meeting to send Proposition 1 — a $15 million bond request for new trails, sidewalks and roadside improvements for walkers and bicyclists — to the November ballot.

The ballot measure, if approved by voters in the 2018 General Election, will cost the owner of median-valued home about $185 more each year in new taxes.

City officials estimate that property taxes will raise 28 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. For the owner of a $660,000 (the median home value on Bainbridge), the property tax bill will increase by $185.

If approved this November, higher property taxes will take effect in 2019.

The city continues to search for citizens to write “pro” and “con” statements on Prop. 1 for the voters guide that will be published by the Kitsap County Elections Division prior to the November vote.

Just two people have volunteers so far to help write the statements, City Manager Doug Schulze told the council at their meeting Tuesday.

“We need people,” Schulze said.

The deadline for volunteers is 4 p.m. July 27.