This spring, the Port Townsend Rec Center nearly closed. Memorial Field almost went dark. Jefferson County's structural budget crisis put everything we rely on at risk — and the temporary fix runs out at the end of 2026. A Metropolitan Parks District gives Port Townsend permanent, independent control over our parks and recreation.
Jefferson County's structural deficit has forced repeated cuts to parks and recreation. This spring, our community scrambled to raise $85,000 just to keep the Port Townsend Rec Center open through year-end. Without a dedicated funding source independent of the county, we may have to do this again every year — and the county's reserves won't be there to bail us out a second time.
This spring, all three budget options presented to Jefferson County commissioners required shutting down the Port Townsend Rec Center. Only an emergency community fundraising effort of $85,000 kept the doors open — through the end of 2026 only. There is no funded plan for 2027.
Parks & Recreation has no protected funding. In 2026, the county cut parks by 25% — $250,000 — while courts, jails, and state mandates were shielded.
According to County Administrator Josh Peters, "Think about how things cost more, but we've only been able to bring in revenue at a cap of 1% per year."
Memorial Field — home to spring and fall youth and adult sports — and North Beach were both on the county's cut list. Commissioners voted to draw down reserves to keep them open through 2026. Those reserves are nearly exhausted.
Our parks buildings are overdue for basic maintenance, and at least one facility will need a full roof replacement within the next couple of years — a cost the current budget cannot absorb.
Jefferson County faces a $5.2M structural deficit. Washington's 1% property tax cap can't keep pace with 3%+ inflation. Insurance premiums jumped 35% in 2026. Unfunded state mandates keep growing. County reserves are projected to end 2026 below the minimum recommended level.
County Parks & Rec serves 82,000 participant hours annually with just 4.4 full-time staff — down from 7 in 2000 despite tripled usage. Youth sports, senior fitness, summer programs: all operating on borrowed time and emergency fundraising.
An MPD is a voter-approved, independently governed district with its own taxing authority. Its budget cannot be cut by county commissioners. It exists solely to fund parks and recreation for Port Townsend — permanently.
Putting an MPD before Port Townsend voters requires a citizen petition drive, legal filings, and a sustained public education campaign. None of that happens without community funding.
We need 2,000 valid signatures — 15% of registered Port Townsend voters — submitted to the Jefferson County Auditor by approximately August 15. Our volunteer canvassers are hitting farmers markets, community events, and neighborhoods every weekend.
The Jefferson County Auditor verifies signatures and issues a certification of sufficiency. Allow 2–3 weeks for review. Certification must be complete by the hard deadline.
All of the following must be complete 60+ days before the November 4 election: auditor certification, Port Townsend Council resolution placing the MPD on the ballot, notice filed with the Jefferson County Boundary Review Board, and ballot title language drafted per RCW 35.61.030.
Port Townsend voters decide. A simple majority approves formation of the district. If passed, the MPD board seats in 2027 — exactly when the county's emergency funding runs out.