Property tax increase would help house vets and seniors

The King County Council decided to put a proposed property tax increase before voters this November. The levy renews funding for veterans and now also, seniors.

Under the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, homeowners would have to pay 10 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value. The money would pay for things like housing programs for veterans and seniors.

Some critics wanted a bigger levy.

Alison Eisinger is the executive director of the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness. She said people she’s talked to actually wanted to be taxed more in order to have more services.

“We also hear from many of those same people saying, ‘I’m a homeowner, I’m a taxpayer, I’m a renter,’” Eisinger said. “‘I know my rent will go up and I still want you to put this levy at 12 cents or more.’”

King County Councilmember Joe McDermott sponsored the legislation.

He initially pushed for a bigger tax —

“And I would’ve supported a larger levy to meet the expensive need,” McDermott said. “However, majority of the council wasn’t supportive of that.”

McDermott said there are more than 500,000 seniors in the county and that population is growing.