Tax levy lid lift proposition to expand aquatics, parks, and recreation facilities, operations, etc.
Nov 06, 2023 6:40 PM
Ken MacKenzie & Susan Pappalardo on Proposition 1
Tax levy lid lift proposition to expand aquatics, parks, and recreation facilities, operations, etc.
The city of Kirkland is submitting to voters on the November ballot an Aquatics, Parks, and Recreation 2023 Ballot Measure to expand aquatics, parks, and recreation facilities, operations, and programs. This proposition would authorize an increase in the city’s regular property tax levy by approximately $0.28054/$1,000 of assessed valuation, generating approximately $10,800,000 for these purposes in 2024. The increased revenues would fund:
- operations and programing at a new aquatic and recreation center (to be constructed separately)
- nine year-round restrooms
- park safety and security including automatic gates and additional park rangers
- new sport courts (including pickleball and volleyball)
- increased beach lifeguard hours and water safety programs
- expanded teen programs and Kirkland Teen Union Building operations
- green loop trail networks
- park and recreation operations, maintenance, and improvements
The ordinance also describes the city’s plan to construct a new 86,000 square foot aquatic and recreation center at the former Houghton Park & Ride to be funded separately through the city's general fund. Ballot measure revenue would fund operations and programming at the facility.
Ken MacKenzie is a community leader in opposition to the ballot measure. Ken and his family moved to Kirkland in 2009 when he went to work for Amazon in Seattle. Previously, Ken lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 20 years and worked at various technology companies as a developer and manager in software engineering and product development. Ken is the treasurer and board member of the Market Neighborhood Association as well as its representative to the city-wide Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods. He worked on the Market Street Corridor Neighborhood Plan update in 2020-2021, and is currently one of the leaders of Scouts BSA troops 532 (boys) and 519 (girls). Ken and his wife, Nicole, have two children in college.
Susan Pappalardo is the president and co-founder of SPLASHForward, and is associated with Yes for Kirkland Pools & Parks. She is a consummate researcher, user advocate, thought leader and lifelong learner, and is committed to all that it takes to bring a world-class aquatics center to our region. Susan is driven to bring the voices of ALL user groups to the project, define best practices to ensure aquatics leadership and create sustainable partnerships. She spent much of her youth swimming underwater in her community pool and is now a masters swimmer, LWHS and BCST swim parent, masters track and cross country athlete and volunteer youth cross county and track coach. Susan is the SPLASHForward social media voice, web developer, grant writer, and strategic partner.