Ballots have been mailed out for the April 22 special election.
Some voters in Whatcom and Skagit counties will be asked to approve local funding boosts: one for a middle school, and one to improve health care access.
Meridian Middle School bond
Whatcom voters who live in the Meridian School District will vote for the second time on whether to fund a Meridian Middle School replacement.
In November 2024, the district asked voters to approve a $75 million, 20-year bond to pay for a middle school rebuild, a new generator in Meridian High School, and repairs and upgrades to the Performing Arts Center and the Varsity Athletic Stadium. That measure received 53.11% of votes in favor, short of the 60% supermajority needed to pass.
Now, the district is coming back with a smaller ask: a $70.9 million, 20-year bond to only rebuild the middle school. The new tax rate is $1.35 per $1,000 in assessed property value, just a few cents lower than the original ask of $1.38.
For example, people who own a $550,000 home would pay $61.88 a month, or $742.50 per year.
[ Read more: Meridian going back to voters with lower bond to replace aging middle school ]
In a statement in favor of the bond, Sara Bernardy of Meridian Citizens for Education wrote that delaying isn’t an option.
“Construction costs rise by approximately $5 million annually due to inflation. Postponing won’t eliminate the need — it only means taxpayers pay more later,” she wrote.
Island Health levy lift
Residents who live in the Island Health public hospital district will vote on a proposal to boost the district’s tax levy rate from 34 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value to 75 cents per $1,000. Island Health serves Fidalgo, Cypress, Guemes and Sinclair Islands. It also operates a primary care clinic on Orcas Island.
If this levy passes, a person who owns a home worth $550,000 in the district would pay $34.38 a month, or $412.50 per year.
Island Health said the levy is necessary to handle rising health care costs and gaps in insurance coverage.
“The levy will provide additional operating and capital funds to support the delivery of hospital and other health care services including funds to sustain lifesaving, preventive care and other health care services for the community served by Island Health while modernizing technologies to improve health outcomes,” Island Health said in an explanatory statement.
Retired general surgeon Joseph Mulcahy and former Anacortes Mayor Laurie Gere said in an argument in favor of the tax increase that it is “one piece of the larger puzzle to long-term sustainability and the continuing availability of local healthcare services.”
Representatives from Island Health will participate in a number of upcoming presentations on the levy proposal, including at the Guemes Island Community Center at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, and Anacortes City Council at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 7.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
