April 2022 Voters Pamphlet

Benton County Official Local Voters’ Pamphlet

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April 26, 2022 Special Election

Registration Deadlines:

Ballot Drop Box Locations:

These deadlines apply to new registrations & voter updates!

Courthouse 620 Market St., Prosser

Mail: April 18

Benton City - City Hall 1009 Dale Ave., Benton City

Online: April 18 In-Person: April 26

Military & Overseas Ballots Mailed: March 23 Ballots Mailed: April 6

West Richland Library (Drive up) 3803 W. Van Giesen St., West Richland West Richland - City Hall (Drive up) 3100 Belmont Blvd., West Richland Jefferson Park (Drive up) Symons St., Richland WSU Tri-Cities (Drive up) 2710 Crimson Way, Richland

Additional Resources: Local Election Information www.bentonelections.com (livechat feature available) County Information www.co.benton.wa.us State Election Information www.sos.wa.gov Campaign Information Published by theFinance Benton County Auditor www.pdc.wa.gov

Published by the Benton County Auditor

Benton County Voting Center (Drive Up - In Parking Lot Streetside) 2600 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Richland Benton County Voting Center (Inside) 2618 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Richland Badger Mountain Community Park (Drive up) 350 Keene Rd., Richland Benton County Campus (Drive up) 7122 W. Okanogan Pl., Kennewick Kennewick - City Hall (Drive up) 210 W. 6th Ave., Kennewick

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Table of Contents

Letter to Voters......................................................................................................... Pg. 3 We’ve Moved Notice................................................................................................ Pg. 4 Voting By Mail in Benton County............................................................................. Pg. 5 Sample Ballots.................................................................................................... Pgs. 6-7 General Voters’ Information...................................................................................... Pg.8 Kennewick School District No. 17 Proposition No. 1....................................... Pgs. 9-10 Finley School District No. 53 Proposition No. 1............................................. Pgs. 11-12 Prosser Consolidated School District No. 116-219 Proposition No. 1.......... Pgs. 13-14 Grandview School District No. 200 Proposition No. 1................................... Pgs. 15-16 Ballot Drop Box Locations..................................................................................... Pg. 17

Letter to Voters Dear Benton County Voters, April 26, 2022 Special Election! This spring you are going to have an opportunity to shape the future of our community by participating in the election process. You will be voting on measures that affect you, your family, and your neighborhood. When you vote, you have a direct say in our government at the local, state, and federal level. useful information about voter registration, deadlines for returning your ballot, and ballot drop box locations. This pamphlet includes ballot measures and pro and con committee statements for ballot measures.

Benton County will be sending every eligible household in the county a copy of this guide.

Please note that we do not make edits or corrections to any statements.

To be eligible to vote in a special election in a jurisdiction, you must be a registered voter and live in the participating district.

Your Signature Matters! Two of the most common reasons ballots are unable to be processed are that they are returned without a signature or with at signature that does not match what we have on 8 regarding signing your ballot before it is returned.

We want to help every eligible person register to vote and every registered voter receive their ballot.

The earlier the Elections Division is contacted by individuals who need a replacement ballot, want to register to vote and receive a ballot, or have related issues, the more options there will be available to provide assistance. You can call us at (509) 736-3085, send an email to elections@co.benton.wa.us, visit our website www.bentonelections.com, or come in to one of our offices at: Benton County Voting Center, 2618 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Richland, WA Both offices are open weekdays 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and on Election Day 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The Benton County Elections Division is dedicated to assisting all voters, candidates, and jurisdictions in the election process while ensuring elections are conducted securely, accurately, and Pamphlet useful, and of course, do not hesitate to contact my staff or me with any questions.

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We’ve Moved Notice

Voting by Mail in Benton County

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Sample Ballot

Sample Ballot

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General Voters’ Information Three ways to register: • •

To register to vote, you must be: • • • •

A citizen of the United States.

A legal resident of Washington State.

At least 18 years old by Election Day. Not under the authority of the Department of Corrections.

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Online - www.votewa.gov By mail - Call us at (509) 736-3085 and we will mail you a form.

In Person Benton County Courthouse, 620 Market St., Prosser Benton County Voting Center, 2618 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Richland

Ballot Return Deadline: Election Date April 26, 2022

By Mail

Drop Box or In-Person

Postmarked by April 26, 2022 By 8:00 p.m. April 26, 2022 (Election Day)

Tips to ensure your ballot is counted: 1. If you register to vote online, your signature from the Department of Licensing becomes your voter registration signature. Take a moment and look at the signature on your Driver License or State ID. 2. The signature on your ballot does not need to be perfect or in cursive. It just needs to be consistent and match what we have on file.

3. If you are not sure what signature we have on file, simply fill out a paper registration form with your updated signature. You can print out a registration form by scanning this QR code.

Please Note: The ballot drop box previously located at 5600 W. Canal Dr. has been permanently removed. All licensing and recording services at that address have been relocated to the Benton County Campus at 7122 W. Okanogan Pl. Building E, Kennewick, WA where a new drive-up drop box has been installed for your convenience.

Are you mailing your ballot?

Check the collection time!

To account for delivery standards and to allow for contingencies, the USPS recommends voters mail their ballot at least 1 week prior to Election Day. If you are unable to do so, we recommend that you use one of the conveniently located drop boxes.

Official Ballot Drop Boxes are open until 8:00 p.m. on April 26.

A list of Official Ballot Drop Box locations is on page 17.

Kennewick School District No. 17 | Proposition No. 1

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Local Ballot Measure

Explanatory Statement

Kennewick School District No.17 Proposition No. 1

PROPOSITION NO. 1 – REPLACEMENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS LEVY

REPLACEMENT EDUCATIONAL

Passage of Proposition No. 1 would allow Kennewick School District to replace an existing educational programs and operations levy that will expire at the end of calendar year 2022. The taxes collected by this replacement levy will be used to pay expenses of educational programs and operations that are not fully funded by the State of Washington. These expenses include, but are not limited to: teachers and support staff; staff for maintenance, security, health and safety; special education programs; transportation operations; staff professional development; co-curricular and extra-curricular athletic activities; and other educational programs and operations expenses.

Further information is available on the District’s website at https://www.ksd.org/.

PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS LEVY The Board of Directors of Kennewick School District No. 17 adopted Resolution No. 8, 2021-2022, concerning a proposition to finance educational programs and operations expenses. This proposition would authorize the District to meet the educational needs of its students by levying the following excess taxes, in place of an expiring levy, on all taxable property within the District, for educational programs and operations expenses not funded by the State of Washington: Collection Year

Estimated Levy Rate/$1,000 Assessed Value

Levy Amount

2023

$1.75

$20,625,000

2024

$1.85

$23,375,000

all as provided in Resolution No. 8, 2021-2022. Should this proposition be approved?

LEVY YES LEVY NO

The proposed two-year replacement educational programs and operations tax levy would authorize collection of taxes to provide up to $20,625,000 in 2023 and $23,375,000 in 2024. The tax levy rate required to produce these levy amounts is estimated to be $1.75 in 2023 and $1.85 in 2024 (estimated levy rate per $1,000 of assessed value). The exact tax levy rates and amounts to be collected may be adjusted based upon the limitations imposed by State law at the time of the tax levy. Exemptions from taxes may be available to certain homeowners. To determine if you qualify, call the Benton County Assessor at 509.786.2046.

The Official Ballot Title was written by the Kennewick School District as required by law. The Benton County Auditor is not responsible for the content of arguments or statements.

Committee & Contact Information Pro Committee

Committee & Contact Information Con Committee

Pat Mastaler Jan Fraley Mary Lynn Merriman

Jeff Heckathorn

Committee Contact # (509) 308-4286

Committee Contact # (425) 341-3029

See next page for Kennewick School District No.17 | Proposition No. 1 Pro-Con Statement

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Kennewick School District No. 17 | Proposition No. 1

Pro Committee Statement

Con Committee Statement

We encourage you to vote “Yes” for KSD’s two-year Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy. It funds daily classroom and operational needs beyond what is provided by the state of Washington and replaces an expiring voter-approved levy.

Every child benefits. This levy impacts every KSD school and directly funds high-quality instruction and academic support for each of the over 18,500 Kennewick students. EP&O funding provides vital support for programs such as Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, special education, librarians, art, physical education, music and more. Your “Yes” vote supports student well-being by providing funds for counselors, the majority of school nurses (the state funds only four nurses for our 32 schools; levy dollars cover the remainder to meet student needs), along with school resource and security officers. The state provides no funding for athletics and many other student engagement programs; your ‘Yes’ vote helps sustain these programs. Your ‘Yes’ vote supports keeping our facilities clean, safe, and well-maintained.

Additional state funding available by approving the levy. Passing this levy makes KSD eligible for an additional $14.5+ million in Levy Equalization funding from the state. The EP&O, when combined with Levy Equalization funding, accounts for 11 percent of the district’s budget.

It is important to note this levy cannot be put on the ballot again in 2022 should it not pass.

Vote Yes. Please vote “Yes” to continue to provide all KSD students excellent educational programs in safe, secure schools. Our kids. Our schools. Our community.

In 2018, the McCleary Decision was promised to be a levy swap. Instead, state school property taxes increased dramatically and local school taxes never went away and are again spiraling out of control.

This levy is a 26% tax hike over the previous 2 years - hardly a replacement. The State School category on property tax bills have gone up 85% since McCleary. Not some but all of that State School tax on your bill goes to the Kennewick SD. The teachers’ union and district administrators have all seen their compensations rise substantially faster than inflation since McCleary - in fact a major cause of inflation. Per pupil expenditures including capital outlays and interest on debt are now at $18,000. That’s more than almost all private schools and more than tuition and books at UW! The argument that this levy is for a certain few duty types is disingenuous and heartless at best. The district complains that this levy fills the gap left from state legislators. The legislators are correct in saying no to the district. Local voters should do the same.

Nearly all districts try to just focus on how our property tax rates will remain nearly flat as if that has or will do us any favors. A flat tax rate multiplied by skyrocketing assessed property values equals skyrocketing taxes in dollars (paid for by property owners and renters in their rents). Please provide your input to the political process and vote. More details at, www.SchoolDataProject.com.

Pro Committee Rebuttal

Con Committee Rebuttal

The “con” statement author doesn’t live in Kennewick.

People who don’t live in our community shouldn’t provide inaccurate information. They don’t know KSD facts: Total state and local school tax rate have decreased 23% since 2018. 2-year levy rate increases just 5.4%.

General fund per pupil expenditure: $13,295.81 - among the lowest in the state. KSD’s spends 4.4% on central administration - nearly the lowest in the state.

The pro levy committee fails to mention the fact that we had the McCleary Decision and resulting, substantial, property tax increases in 2018. Your property tax bill categories of State School all end up, along with the other school categories, at the Kennewick SD - in total.

Vote YES for schools and students’ future!

In 2020-2021, the district was already spending $18,000 per student including capital outlays and interest on debt - more than enough. Nurses and music teachers aren’t to blame.

See next page for Finley School District No. 53 | Proposition No. 1

Finley School District No. 53 | Proposition No. 1 Local Ballot Measure

Explanatory Statement

Finley School District No. 53 Proposition No. 1

PROPOSITION NO. 1 – REPLACEMENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OPERATION LEVY

REPLACEMENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OPERATION LEVY The Board of Directors of Finley School District No. 53 adopted Resolution No. 2022-01, concerning a proposition to finance educational programs and operation expenses. This proposition would authorize the District to levy the following excess taxes, in place of an expiring levy, on all taxable property within the District, for the District’s educational programs and operation expenses not funded by the State of Washington: Collection Year

Estimated Levy Rate/$1,000 Assessed Value

Levy Amount

2023

$2.33

$1,485.000

2024

$2.37

$1,540,000

all as provided in Resolution No. 2022-01. Should this proposition be approved?

LEVY YES LEVY NO The Official Ballot Title was written by the Finley School District as required by law. The Benton County Auditor is not responsible for the content of arguments or statements.

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Passage of Proposition No. 1 would allow Finley School District to replace an existing educational programs and operation levy that will expire at the end of calendar year 2022. The taxes collected by this replacement levy will be used to pay for expenses of educational programs and operation that are not fully funded by the State of Washington. These expenses include but are not limited to smaller class sizes; teaching and support staff; school safety; instructional materials; special education; student activities; athletics; building maintenance and operations; and other educational programs and operation expenses.

Further information is available on the District’s website at https://www.finleysd.org/.

The proposed two-year replacement levy would authorize collection of taxes to provide up to $1,485,000 in 2023 and $1,540,000 in 2024. The tax levy rate required to produce these levy amounts is estimated to be $2.33 in 2023 and $2.37 in 2024 (estimated levy rate per $1,000 of assessed value).

The exact tax levy rates and amounts to be collected may be adjusted based upon the limitations imposed

by State law at the time of the tax levy. Exemptions from taxes may be available to certain homeowners.

To determine if you qualify, call the Benton County Assessor at 509.786.2046.

Committee & Contact Information Pro Committee

Committee & Contact Information Con Committee

No Committee Information Submitted

Jeff Heckathorn

Committee Contact # (425) 341-3029

See next page for Finley School District No.53 | Proposition No. 1 Pro-Con Statement

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Finley School District No. 53 | Proposition No. 1

Pro Committee Statement

Con Committee Statement

No Statement Provided

In 2018, the McCleary Decision was promised to be a levy swap. Instead, state school property taxes increased dramatically and local school taxes never went away and are again spiraling out of control.

This levy is a 31% tax hike over the previous 2 years - hardly a replacement. The State School category on property tax bills have gone up 60% since McCleary. Not some but all of that State School tax on your bill goes to the Finley SD. The teachers’ union and district administrators have all seen their compensations rise substantially faster than inflation since McCleary - in fact a major cause of inflation. Per pupil expenditures including capital outlays and interest on debt are now at $19,500. That’s more than almost all private schools and more than tuition and books at UW! The argument that this levy is for a certain few duty types is disingenuous and heartless at best. The district complains that this levy fills the gap left from state legislators. The legislators are correct in saying no to the district. Local voters should do the same.

Nearly all districts try to just focus on how our property tax rates will remain nearly flat as if that has or will do us any favors. A flat tax rate multiplied by skyrocketing assessed property values equals skyrocketing taxes in dollars (paid for by property owners and renters in their rents). Please provide your input to the political process and vote. More details at, www.SchoolDataProject.com

Pro Committee Rebuttal

Con Committee Rebuttal

No Rebuttal Submitted

No Rebuttal Submitted

Local Voters’ Pamphlet These statements are printed exactly as submitted with no spelling, grammatical or other corrections made. The candidate or campaign committee is responsible for content.

See next page for Prosser Consolidated School District No. 116-219 | Proposition No. 1

Prosser Consolidated School District No. 116-219 | Proposition No. 1 Local Ballot Measure

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Explanatory Statement

Prosser Consolidated School District No. 116-219 Proposition No. 1

PROPOSITION NO. 1 – REPLACEMENT OF EXPIRING MAINTENANCE, OPERATION AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS LEVY

Passage of Proposition No. 1 would allow Prosser Consolidated School District to replace an existing REPLACEMENT OF EXPIRING educational programs and operation levy that will expire at the end of calendar year 2022. The taxes MAINTENANCE, OPERATION AND collected by this replacement levy will be used to EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS LEVY pay for expenses of educational programs and operation that are not fully funded by the State of Washington. These expenses include, but are The Board of Directors of Prosser Consolidated School not limited to: technology; athletics; smaller class District No. 116-219 adopted Resolution No. 01-22, concerning a proposition to finance educational programs sizes; school safety; instructional materials; special and operation expenses. This proposition would authorize education; maintenance; student activities; teaching and support staff and other educational programs the District to levy the following excess taxes, replacing an expiring levy, on all taxable property within the District, and operation expenses. Taxes collected by the proposed replacement levy will provide approximately for educational programs and operation expenses not 9.2% of the District’s General Fund budget. Further funded by the State: information is available on the District’s website at Collection Year Estimated Levy Levy Amount Rate/$1,000 http://prosserschools.org/.

Assessed Value 2023

$2.13

$3,782,032

2024

$2.13

$3,895,493

all as provided in Resolution No. 01-22 and subject to legal limits on levy rates and amounts at the time of levy Should this proposition be approved?

LEVY YES LEVY NO

The proposed two-year replacement educational programs and operation levy would authorize collection of taxes to provide up to $3,782,032 in 2023 and $3,895,493 in 2024. The levy rate required to produce these amounts is estimated to be $2.13 per $1,000 of assessed value. The exact levy rates and amounts to be collected may be adjusted based upon the limitations imposed by State law at the time of the levy.

Exemptions from taxes may be available to certain homeowners. To determine if you qualify, call the Benton County Assessor at 509.786.2046 or Klickitat County Assessor at 509.773-3715.

The Official Ballot Title was written by the Prosser School District as required by law. The Benton County Auditor is not responsible for the content of arguments or statements.

Committee & Contact Information Pro Committee

Committee & Contact Information Con Committee

Dr. Timothy Straub

Jeff Heckathorn

Committee Contact # (509) 781-1223

Committee Contact # (425) 341-3029

See next page for Prosser School District No. 116-219 | Proposition No. 1 Pro-Con Statement

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Prosser Consolidated School District No. 116-219 | Proposition No. 1

Pro Committee Statement

Con Committee Statement

As a former high school teacher at Prosser High School and concerned community member, I am urging you to vote “YES” for the Prosser School District Maintenance, Operations and Educational Programs Levy on April 26.

Now, more than ever, we need to provide the best support for our students and families as we emerge from the pandemic. The MO&E levy provides the funding for the day-to-day operations of PSD. From maintaining busses that transport our students, utilities, building upkeep and repair, supporting student programs, and paying wages and benefits to our teachers and support staff, the MO&E levy provides vital funding to teach our kids to become the community leaders of tomorrow. Voting “YES” also provides state levy equalization money to fund the gap between our taxes and what it costs to operate our schools.

To be clear, the MO&E levy does not fund new construction, capital improvement projects, or consultants. Other funding sources and grants address those needs.

For the expiring levy, we are currently paying $2.13/$1,000 assessed property value. The 2-year replacement levy requests the same amount. Seniors on a fixed income making less than $45,000/year qualify for property tax relief. With expected growth in Prosser, it is hoped that the levy amount will stay the same or even decrease.

The past 2 years have been hard on our community and our school district. Please, let us come together and vote “YES” for our kids.

In 2018, the McCleary Decision was promised to be a levy swap. Instead, state school property taxes increased dramatically and local school taxes never went away and are again spiraling out of control.

This levy is a 21% tax hike over the previous 2 years - hardly a replacement. The State School category on property tax bills have gone up 57% since McCleary.

Not some but all of that State School tax on your bill goes to the Prosser SD. The teachers’ union and district administrators have all seen their compensations rise substantially faster than inflation since McCleary - in fact a major cause of inflation. Per pupil expenditures including capital outlays and interest on debt are now at $20,800. That’s more than almost all private schools and more than tuition and books at UW! The argument that this levy is for a certain few duty types is disingenuous and heartless at best. The district complains that this levy fills the gap left from state legislators. The legislators are correct in saying no to the district. Local voters should do the same.

Nearly all districts try to just focus on how our property tax rates will remain nearly flat as if that has or will do us any favors. A flat tax rate multiplied by skyrocketing assessed property values equals skyrocketing taxes in dollars (paid for by property owners and renters in their rents). Please provide your input to the political process and vote. More details at, www.SchoolDataProject.com

Pro Committee Rebuttal

Con Committee Rebuttal

SchoolDataProject.com shows that current expenditures for the Prosser School District (inflation adjusted) are relatively flat. Cited increases are due to the bond. PSD residents are currently spending less in state school tax and levy dollars than tax years 2016, 2017 or 2018.

Without the MO&E, PSD will lose $3.8M plus a loss of $1.5 million from State levy equalization funds. The MO&E levy pays for the educational enrichment of our children. Vote YES!

The pro levy committee fails to mention the fact that we had the McCleary Decision and resulting, substantial, property tax increases across the state in 2018. Your property tax bill categories of State School all end up, along with the other school categories, at the Prosser SD - in total.

In 2020-2021, the district was already spending $20,800 per student including capital outlays and interest on debt - more than enough. Taxpayers have limits.

Local Voters’ Pamphlet These statements are printed exactly as submitted with no spelling, grammatical or other corrections made. The candidate or campaign committee is responsible for content.

See next page for Grandview School District No. 200 | Proposition No. 1

Grandview School District No. 200 | Proposition No. 1

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Explanatory Statement

Local Ballot Measure

Grandview School District No. 200 Proposition No. 1 REPLACEMENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS LEVY The Board of Directors of Grandview School District No. 200 adopted Resolution No. 7 concerning educational funding. This proposition authorizes the District to levy the following excess taxes, to replace an expiring levy, on all taxable property within the District, to support the District’s educational programs and operations not funded or fully funded by the state:

Collection Years

Approximate Levy Rate/$1,000 Assessed Value

Levy Amount

2023

$1.64

$2,000,000

2024

$1.64

$2,150,000

2025

$1.64

$2,300,000

2026

$1.64

$2,450,000

PROPOSITION NO. 1 Passage of Proposition No. 1 would help Grandview School District fund educational programs and operation expenses not funded by the State, including, but not limited to, teachers, support staff, technology, curriculum, transportation, athletics, and facility maintenance and operation. Further information is available at www.gsd200.org/Levy. The proposed levy will replace the current levy that expires at the end of 2022.

The proposed levy would authorize: $2,000,000 in property taxes within Grandview School District No. 200 for collection in 2023, $2,150,000 in 2024, $2,300,000 in 2025, and $2,450,000 in 2026, to replace an expiring levy. If authorized by voters, estimated levy rates per $1,000 of assessed value would be $1.64 (2023 collection); $1.64 (2024 collection); $1.64 (2025 collection); and $1.64 (2026 collection). The exact levy rate shall be adjusted based upon the actual assessed value of the property within the District at the time of the levy.

all as provided in the Resolution. Should this proposition be approved?

YES NO The Official Ballot Title was written by the Grandview School District as required by law. The Benton County Auditor is not responsible for the content of arguments or statements.

Committee & Contact Information Pro Committee

Committee & Contact Information Con Committee

Tim Grow

No Committee Information Submitted

Committee Contact # (509) 882-5750

See next page for Grandview School District No. 200 | Proposition No. 1 Pro-Con Statement

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Grandview School District No. 200 | Proposition No. 1

Pro Committee Statement

Con Committee Statement

Education is the key which unlocks the doors of opportunity for individuals and society. Levy funds enhance educational opportunities and extracurricular activities such as the arts, music, gifted programs, technology, special education, nurses and athletics.

Levy supports maintaining facilities and grounds for student and community use.

No Statement Submitted

Levy dollars are locally controlled and the state provides an additional two dollars for every dollar raised.

As a former 20 year board member, I have witnessed the effectiveness and necessity of levy dollars. Invest in the futures of our children and grandchildren, the leaders of tomorrow. Continue the Grandview legacy Vote Yes!

Pro Committee Rebuttal

Con Committee Rebuttal

No Rebuttal Submitted

No Rebuttal Submitted

Local Voters’ Pamphlet These statements are printed exactly as submitted with no spelling, grammatical or other corrections made. The candidate or campaign committee is responsible for content.

Ballot Drop Box Locations

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BENTON COUNTY AUDITOR ELECTIONS DIVISION PO BOX 1000 Richland, WA 99352