City of Issaquah Proposition No. 1 — Parks and Open Space Bonds (King County)

What it does

The Issaquah City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3142, concerning bonds for parks, trails, and recreation projects. If approved, this proposition would authorize the City to: complete various projects, including sports fields and courts, new trails, trailhead improvements, restoration of Confluence Park’s Ek House, playground improvements, a new dog park, and related capital improvements; issue no more than $18,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years; and levy annual excess property taxes to pay and retire such bonds, all as provided in Ordinance No. 3142. Should this proposition be approved?

A YES vote means

Issaquah could issue up to $18,000,000 in bonds, maturing within 20 years and repaid with property taxes, for sports fields, trails, playgrounds, a dog park and restoring Confluence Park's Ek House.

A NO vote means

Issaquah would not issue these bonds, and the related property tax would not be levied.

Needed to pass

A 60% supermajority: at least 60 out of every 100 YES and NO votes must be YES, so a measure can get a majority and still fail.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Explained

Example

The county voters' pamphlet estimates the cost for the owner of a $1 million home would average about $80 a year, similar to the retiring bonds because the new bonds would be issued as the old ones mature. (source)

Who would notice

Property owners in the City of Issaquah, who would repay the bonds through property taxes, and people who use Issaquah's parks, fields and trails.

How it got here

The Issaquah City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3142 placing the bonds on the November 3, 2026 ballot to replace the city's retiring park bonds and fund projects from its 2024 Park System Plan.

Written by SpectrumVote from 1 linked sources (1). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Next elections here

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Also on King County ballots

• City of Shoreline Proposition No. 1 — Formation of the Shoreline Metropolitan Park District
• City of Kenmore Proposition No. 1 — Climate & Environmental Stewardship, Affordable Housing, and Human Services Levy
• City of Lake Forest Park Proposition No. 1 — Public Safety Services Levy Lid Lift
• City of Clyde Hill Proposition No. 1 — Levy to Continue Providing Public Safety and Land Use Services in Clyde Hill
• City of Seattle Proposition No. 1 — Seattle Transit Measure
• City of SeaTac Proposition No. 1 — Fire Prevention and Criminal Justice Sales and Use Tax

All King County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Issaquah Proposition No. 1 mean?

Issaquah could issue up to $18,000,000 in bonds, maturing within 20 years and repaid with property taxes, for sports fields, trails, playgrounds, a dog park and restoring Confluence Park's Ek House.

What does a NO vote on City of Issaquah Proposition No. 1 mean?

Issaquah would not issue these bonds, and the related property tax would not be levied.

Is this a new tax?

It is a new bond measure that would replace retiring park bonds. The pamphlet says the city plans to issue the bonds as the old ones mature to keep property taxes similar, about $80 a year on a $1 million home.

What does it take to pass?

A 60% yes vote, and turnout of at least 40% of the number of voters who cast ballots in the last general election.

What do the two sides argue?

The voters' pamphlet prints a statement in favor from a committee backed by local sports and trail groups, and a statement against by Steve Pereira asking voters to vote 'not yet' until the city prioritizes projects against its park plan goals.

How many votes does City of Issaquah Proposition No. 1 need to pass?

A 60% supermajority: at least 60 out of every 100 YES and NO votes must be YES, so a measure can get a majority and still fail.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Issaquah 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.