On May 14th, 2024, the Facilities Oversight for Capital Utilization & Sustainability (FOCUS) Committee held its sixth meeting to study levy and bond financing and discuss district boundary impacts. The meeting featured a presentation by Ryan Swanson from Piper Sandler and a Sub-Committee presentation by Cathy Dahlquist.
During the presentation from Piper Sandler, Ryan Swanson outlined the planning and details of various levy and bond options to support school funding. He provided key dates for upcoming elections and resolution filings for the years 2024 through 2026. Ryan explained the different types of levies, including Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) and Transportation Vehicle Enrichment levies, which require a simple majority for approval and have specific collection cycles. Additionally, he discussed Unlimited Tax General Obligations (UTGO) Bonds and Non-Voted Limited General Obligation (LGO) Bonds, detailing their usage for major capital projects and associated financial implications. Historical election results and tax rate history were reviewed, highlighting trends and outcomes of previous levy and bond proposals. Ryan also provided projected future tax rates based on hypothetical funding scenarios, providing a brief overview of the financial strategies and potential impacts on taxpayers.
The OSPI Boundary Adjustment for School Districts Subcommittee presentation, led by Sub-Committee Chair Cathy Dahlquist, outlined the sub-committee’s research and findings to share with the larger committee. Cathy shared information on two types of transfer petitions—citizen-initiated, requiring signatures from over half the affected registered voters, and school board-initiated, needing a majority of ESD board member signatures. The financial impact of boundary adjustments was highlighted, including the district's potential revenue loss and expenses. Cathy explained the process for approval, hearings, and appeals and discussed economic considerations and community changes. Voter registration data and future projections were provided, underscoring the evolving community landscape and its impact on the district.
For the next committee meeting, the committee plans to continue examining the immediate tax base impacts related to potential district boundary adjustments. They have requested a short presentation from district staff on contracts, district-owned properties, and the district's athletic facility needs.
The FOCUS committee will meet again on June 4, 2024, at 6:00 pm. The public is encouraged to attend and observe the FOCUS meetings. For more information about the committee, access to full meeting summaries and presentations, or to attend meetings virtually, visit our website: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/page/citizens-advisory-committee
