TagProperty Tax Levy(67)

A community advocacy flyer from RCAA (Residential Communities Against Airport expansion) urges King County taxpayers to oppose the planned Third Runway at Sea-Tac Airport, warning that the Port of Seattle's $3.3 billion expansion lacks firm financing and could result in significant tax increases for King County residents. The flyer highlights that the Port can raise property levies by over 60% without voter approval, and that elected officials from neighboring counties — whose residents face no such tax burden — will have a vote in approving the project through the Puget Sound Regional Council. Residents are urged to contact local officials including King County Executive Gary Locke, Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, and their respective councils to oppose the expansion.

The Port of Seattle Commission considered authorizing up to $960,000 for its 2019 Economic Development Partnership Program, which provides grant funding to King County cities based on a $1-per-capita formula (minimum $5,000, maximum $65,000) to support local economic development projects. Eligible activities include small business development, business recruitment, workforce development, tourism, and downtown revitalization, with cities required to provide a 50% funding match. The program, funded through the Port's property tax levy, has been running since 2016 and previously awarded about $950,000 to 30 King County cities during the 2017–2018 cycle.

The Port of Seattle Commission approved Resolution No. 3755 on December 11, 2018, authorizing a property tax levy of $74,160,000 for the 2019 calendar year. This represents a 3.0 percent increase of $2,160,000 from the 2018 levy of $72,000,000, at a rate of approximately $0.1232 per thousand of assessed value. Excluding new construction and refunds, the effective increase for tax filing purposes was $419,783, or 0.583 percent.

In December 2018, the Port of Seattle Commission voted to increase its annual property tax levy by 3 percent, raising it from $72,000,000 to $74,160,000 for the 2019 fiscal year, a difference of $2,160,000. The increase was required to be formally documented under Washington State law (RCW 84.55.120) through a separate resolution specifying both the dollar amount and percentage change. The Commission had previously approved the levy increase as part of its broader 2019 budget adoption in November 2018.

The Port of Seattle Commission adopted its final 2019 budget via Resolution No. 3751 on November 27, 2018, approving a tax levy of $74,160,000 to fund bond repayments, capital improvements, and general port operations. The resolution directed the King County Council to collect this levy from property owners within the Port District, based on an assessed property value of approximately $602 billion. The budget reflects the Port's commitments to economic development, environmental sustainability, workforce training, and transparent fiscal stewardship.

The Port of Seattle Commission considered adoption of Resolution No. 3751 at its November 27, 2018 meeting, formally approving the Port's final operating and capital budget for the year 2019. The resolution authorized the tax levy on assessed property within the Port of Seattle District and directed King County to collect the specified sums. The budget process, which began in April 2018, included multiple public briefings, a public hearing, and required submission of the final statutory budget to the King County Council and Assessor's Office by December 3, 2018.

Resolution No. 3751 is the Port of Seattle's official 2019 budget adoption, approved by the Port Commission on November 27, 2018. It authorizes a tax levy of up to approximately $104 million on assessed property within the Port of Seattle District to fund bond repayments, capital improvements, and general port operations. The resolution reflects the Port's commitments to economic development, environmental stewardship, workforce training, and financial transparency in support of its maritime, aviation, and trade activities.