Levy Funding Is Capped at 1% Growth Per Year
A levy is a tax on property values, which was designed to fund the operations of the White Salmon Valley Pool Metropolitan Park District—but not the construction of the new community pool.
The district operates under RCW 35.61 and is classified as a junior taxing district.
A district’s initial base levy amount is set by multiplying a voter-approved levy rate by the assessed value of all properties within the district.
Under state law, all tax levies may only increase by 1% annually plus a small adjustment for new construction.
Because the annual base levy amount must stay fixed by law, as assessed property values go up, the levy rate goes down.
What's an easier way to think about the 1% limit for the levy? ▲
Imagine leasing a car that allows you to drive 10,000 miles in the first year. After that, you can only increase your mileage by 1% each year—just 100 additional miles annually, regardless of changes in your commute or family needs.
Now, consider how life changes can impact your driving needs:
- New Job Commute: Suppose you take a new job adding an extra 5-mile round-trip commute daily. Over a typical 5-day workweek, that’s 25 additional miles per week, or approximately 1,300 miles per year.
- Family Usage: As your family grows, so does your daily car use—for school drop-offs, errands, and appointments—adding about 10 extra miles each day (roughly 3,650 miles a year).
Combined, these changes can increase your annual mileage by 4,950 miles, far exceeding the modest 100-mile annual increase allowed by your lease agreement.
💡 That’s how levy funding works in Washington State. By law, the White Salmon Valley Pool Metropolitan Park District’s property tax revenue can only increase by 1% per year—unless voters approve a levy lid lift. Even when demand grows or costs go up, the revenue limit stays the same. Over time, this can create a gap between what the district is allowed to collect and what it takes to maintain or expand pool operations.
The Result: The Levy Rate Drops Over Time
Since the annual base levy amount stays relatively fixed by law, assessed property value increases cause the levy rate to decrease.
The levy rate has declined from $0.25 in 2019 to less than $0.167 in 2025, despite increasing construction costs.
Levy Information
What is a levy? ▲
A levy is a tax on property values, which funds the operations of the White Salmon Valley Pool Metropolitan Park District. The levy is the primary source of funding, collected based on a voter-approved rate multiplied by the assessed property values.
What is the 1% levy limit? ▲
Washington State law limits how much property tax revenue the district can collect each year. Even if property values increase, total revenue **can only grow by 1% annually**, unless voters approve a change.
What is a levy lid lift? ▲
A levy lid lift is a **voter-approved measure** that allows the district to collect more than the **1% annual increase** permitted by state law.
Why does the pool district need voter approval to change funding? ▲
In 2001, Washington voters passed **Initiative 747**, restricting local taxing districts from increasing property tax revenue by **more than 1% per year** without voter approval.
This means pool funding **does not automatically adjust for inflation or growing community needs**, making voter approval necessary to maintain operations.
Why is the pool district asking for a levy lid lift now? ▲
The district is seeking a levy lid lift to **fund construction of the community pool** and ensure long-term operational stability.
Without voter approval, the district may face **delays or scaling back essential pool features**.
How has inflation impacted the pool since the last levy passed? ▲
Since the last levy rate was set, **construction costs have risen significantly** due to inflation, supply chain disruptions, and increased demand for materials.
The projected **cost of building the pool has increased** by over **20%**, requiring additional funding to complete the project as planned.