Issaquah staff recommend renewing 8¢ park bond; present $23–24M package and higher-rate options

City parks staff presented options for a potential park bond renewal to the Services, Safety and Parks Committee on May 5, recommending that the administration pursue an 8¢ per $1,000 assessed-valuation renewal as a continuation of the expiring bond and outlining candidate projects and higher-rate alternatives.

Parks Director Jeff Wadley explained that local park capital funding typically targets three areas—acquisitions, capital maintenance and development/redevelopment—and said that, based on current projections, REET (real-estate excise tax) revenues are expected to go into deficit in the 2027–28 biennium, reducing that revenue source for future park development. He described an administration-recommended 8¢ renewal that would fund an estimated $23–24 million package when combined with park-impact fees and leverageable grants. Wadley said the recommendation largely reflects deliverability given current staff capacity and offers a simpler message to voters as a renewal rather than an increase.

Wadley reviewed candidate projects and rough estimates: integrating the Eck House into Confluence Park (about $2.5 million), Ramos Trailhead improvements including restrooms (about $1.5 million), two trail-corridor projects on Cougar Mountain and Squawk Mountain (about $4 million total), a package of athletic-field conversions/community sports fields, and a set of amenity improvements (pickleball expansion, an inclusive play area and a dog park) that together were estimated at roughly $6.6 million. He noted estimates are conceptual, without design or permitting, and that grant funding for development projects is highly competitive but stronger when local base funding is already in place.

Wadley also sketched two alternative scenarios: a 12¢ levy generating roughly $34 million and a 16¢ levy producing just under $50 million; the 16¢ scenario would allow the package plus more substantial additions such as a pool expansion. He emphasized that the 8¢ renewal preserves future capacity for other voter-approved measures and that deliverability—staff capacity and the need for clear project scoping—was a central consideration.

Public comment was mixed. Steve Pereira opposed parts of the proposed package, arguing cumulative costs and future operational pressures warrant caution and specifically objected to a proposed dog park and some trail expansions. Diane Perea and Penny Story praised investments that build community—particularly additional pickleball courts—and Jeff Newell, a park board member, said the park board broadly supports a renewal and highlighted benefits of turf-field conversions and more accessible facilities.

The committee did not take a formal vote but broadly endorsed keeping three options available for the city council and requested staff prepare a concise retreat presentation (May 9) with maps showing project locations, scenario comparisons and outreach plans to educate voters over the summer. Wadley said staff hopes to return to council in June with ordinance materials if feasible and to continue public outreach leading up to a potential November ballot measure.

No bond measure was finalized; the committee provided direction on public engagement, mapping and options to present to the full council.