Politics & Government

Post-Election: Acceptance and Complaints Keep Bonney Lake Parks Issue in Spotlight

Voters have made it clear they do not support the formation of a separate taxing district in order to generate revenue dedicated to building out and supporting city parks, but not all elections matters are settled.

The last update from Pierce County Elections Thursday morning showed no marked change in the overwhelming rejection for a Bonney Lake Metropolitan Park District (MPD), with 2,389 votes opposing (79.5 percent) versus 616 votes in support (20.5 percent).

While the issue appears settled on the ballot, as The Courier-Herald and The News Tribune reported last week, the citizens group Families for a Responsible Bonney Lake have moved forward with a formal complaint against the city for actions it asserts were in violation of ethical and financial policies.

The group shared the complaint document on its Facebook page. A direct link is available by clicking here (.docx).

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According to the complaint, the group's two primary complaints had to do with:

  1. City use of public resources to distribute election material that favored the acceptance of the MPD
  2. The city's allowing the pro-committee to use publicly funded assets and materials for campaign use.

The complaint states the city misused the Bonney Lake Reporter to advertise in support of the MPD, including rebutting statements using phrases like "double tax" and "forever tax" specifically used by the con-committee, which shows it was engaging in campaigning for the pro-committe. It also calls out the city for allowing the pro-committee to use city logos, pamphlets and names in campaigning.

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The group's treasurer, Shawnta Mulligan, told the TNT the complaint wasn't formulated overnight but was a result of not being able to get city leaders' attention regarding their concerns. Mayor Neil Johnson, in the same article, said he'd suggested to them to take their complaints to the Public Disclosure Commission if they weren't satisfied with the city response.

The group was to file its complaint with both the PDC and the State Auditor's Office.

Moving forward, City Administrator Don Morrison told The Courier-Herald Friday the PDC would be in touch with this city this upcoming week for an inquiry. "The City is confident that the educational information we provided to the public about the proposition was well within the guidelines, and that the complaint will go no further than a simple inquiry," he said.

What's Next for Parks

Meanwhile, Patch blogger Grant Sulham, who wrote in opposition to the MPD, shared the question Thursday "So Where Do We Go Now?"

The post posed more questions than answers, which could be argued is indicative of where various parties with an interest in city parks still stand on trails, a community center, or sports fields.

Johnson told the TNT the city would have to seek additional feedback to find an acceptable way to move along with the city's parks plan. Unlike in 2012 when it engaged citizens in that probably won't happen again, said Gary Leaf, the city's facilities and special projects manager.

The purpose of the summits was to see if there was an interest in a voter issue, he said.

The pro-committee BLParks.org, released its statement:

The citizens have spoken.  A vote of the people is better, more honest and cheaper than any study the City could have commissioned and paid for. 
 
Basically, as of 4/25/13, 2380 people (14% of the residents of the city) have decided the City should not put money into the parks.  This decision will affect all 17,000+ residents and every park, sooner and later.  
 
The Mayor, his staff and the City Council will make the appropriate budget cuts and prioritize park assets.  People should not be surprised at the changes; your city government is responsive. 
 
Thanks to all who did take the time to vote, whether it was yes or no for parks. 

Leaf said the city will continue to work with what it has - about $300,000 per year in park impact fees and Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) - to be used for small projects and maintenance of current facilities.

"The Park Plan is still in place, but I don’t envision significant progress in meeting the stated goals such as new parks and trails," he wrote to Patch. "We will continue applying for grants, but keep in mind these typically require 50% matching funds and are at maximum $500,000."

Click here to view the city's parks plan.


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