City of Montesano Proposition No. 1 — Montesano Public Services Levy (Grays Harbor County)
Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Montesano voters
Results: the official election results site. Counts are unofficial until certified.
- What it does
- CITY OF MONTESANO PROPOSITION NO. 1 Levy to Maintain Essential Services, Public Safety and Emergency Services, Operations and Capital Improvements. The Montesano City Council has passed Ordinance No. 1679 to place before the voters a renewal property tax levy to maintain essential services, public safety and emergency services, operations, and capital improvements. This proposition would authorize an increase in the regular property tax levy to a total authorized rate of not to exceed $3.22 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for collection beginning in 2027 and to use the 2026 levy amount to recalculate subsequent levy limits for a period not to exceed six years by an annual 5% limit factor. Use of the additional funds would fund current service levels in the General Fund and Public and Safety Emergency Services. Should this proposition be approved?
- A YES vote means
- Montesano's property tax could rise to up to $3.22 per $1,000 of assessed value starting in 2027, with yearly increases of up to 5% for up to six years, to maintain current city and public safety services.
- A NO vote means
- Montesano's property tax would not be raised under this levy.
- What it would cost
- Up to 3.22 mills for 6 years: $322 a year for every $100,000 of taxable value (a mill is $1 per $1,000). Taxable value is after exemptions such as homestead; your tax bill or property appraiser shows yours.
- Needed to pass
- A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
- Left–right lean
- Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.
Background
The Montesano City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1679, the tax levy lid lift, on second reading on July 28, 2026, by a 6-0 roll call vote, according to the council's minutes. Fire Chief Dave Busz had presented the need and plan for the measure on July 14.
The Daily World reported that the county voters' pamphlet misstated the proposed increase. Mayor Tyler Trimble said the ballot itself is correct: the current rate is about $1.70 per $1,000 of assessed value and the proposed 2027 rate is $3.22.
The Montesano Volunteer Fire Department says the measure renews a city levy voters first approved in 2018. It says the money would let the department add two full-time firefighter/EMTs and staff a two-person crew around the clock, along with other city maintenance projects.
In the news
Next elections here
Quick answers
- What does a YES vote on City of Montesano Proposition No. 1 mean?
- Montesano's property tax could rise to up to $3.22 per $1,000 of assessed value starting in 2027, with yearly increases of up to 5% for up to six years, to maintain current city and public safety services.
- What does a NO vote on City of Montesano Proposition No. 1 mean?
- Montesano's property tax would not be raised under this levy.
- How many votes does City of Montesano Proposition No. 1 need to pass?
- A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
- Should I vote yes or no on City of Montesano Proposition No. 1?
- SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
- When is the vote?
- The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.
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