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Proposition No. 1
Submitted by the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma
POINT DEFIANCE ZOO & AQUARIUM RENOVATIONS IMPROVEMENTS
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS - $35,000,000
Official Ballot Title:
Shall the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium renovate facilities and add an animal hospital, additional animal exhibits, visitor safety, comfort, and revenue facilities, and finance such improvements from general obligation bonds in the principal amount not to exceed $35,000,000, maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and shall annual property taxes in excess of regular tax levies be authorized to repay such bonds as provided in Resolution R9-99 of the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma?
Explanatory Statement:
This Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium bond measure would allow the Metropolitan Park District to levy property taxes sufficient to pay up to $35,000,000 in general obligation bonds. Proceeds will only be used by Point Defiance Zoo to renovate and add animal exhibits, as well as make improvements required for the Zoo to keep its national accreditation.
A modern, on-site animal hospital is a primary feature included in the package in order to meet national standards. Visitor attractions planned for bond funding include the replacement or expansion of certain existing animal exhibits, addition of tigers, gibbons, kangaroos and other species not currently at the Zoo, a facility for seasonal exhibits such as koalas, hands-on learning and play areas and adventure trails for children and youth. Bond funding will address improvements to pathways, lighting and other facilities necessary for visitor comfort and safety. All of the projects should be completed by the year 2006.
This levy is estimated to average 24.5 cents/$1,000 of assessed valuation annually from 2000 to 2015 when final maturity is expected. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay an average of $24.50 annually with the passage of this proposition.
Statement For:
Please vote yes on the bond measure to save Point Defiance Zoo.
Without capital funds to pay for desperately needed repairs and upgrades, our Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium will almost certainly have to close. Voting yes is a vote to keep Tacoma's Zoo open. Voting no, or not voting at all, puts our zoo at risk .
Our Zoo's needs have been neglected much too long. Over 10 years have passed since our Zoo has had funding to do significant renovations or upgrades. As a result, our Zoo lost treasured animal exhibits like its tigers and couldn't afford to replace them with any new ones. Our Zoo is on a downward spiral that must be reversed.
Fewer animals mean lower attendance. Fewer visitors mean less money for our Zoo. Fewer dollars mean little maintenance, improvements, opportunity for new animals and modernization of animal care. But history shows the improvements that will be made with passage of this bond will increase attendance, tourism, and income.
Our Zoo is worth saving. It remains one of this community's most cherished assets. Tacomans take great pride in their zoo, and a vital, thriving Zoo is important to this economy. Visitors to Point Defiance Zoo pump over $21 million a year into our local economy. Mt. Rainier is the only year-round attraction in Pierce County that draws more visitors.
Please vote yes to save our Zoo , our precious community asset and economic force, for future generations by voting yes on March 9.
Thank you.
Statement prepared by : John Thompson, Barbara Bichsel and Tom Dixon
Statement Against:
Will the Zoo and Aquarium survive if it doesn't get $30 million to expand? Will a new $11 million Asia exhibit, a $5 million "kids go wild" (replacing the animal farm), a $5 million new entrance, or a $2 million new lawn and stage assure survival? The zoo only needs $5 million to renovate its existing facilities and hospital.
Will the Park District survive the additional $2 million operating costs for expanding the Zoo? This year's $700,000 zoo deficit forced the district to lay off 15 employees (including park police) and eliminate another 14 positions (but the zoo expanded). Laying off another 50 would reduce the non-enterprise district employees by half.
Is the Zoo doing a good job handling its finances? The Park District no longer manages the zoo, the Zoo Society does. Last year only about $300,000 of the $2 million collected by the Society went directly to the Zoo. However, $1 million in revenue was lost by providing free admission to Society members.
Tacoma taxes are already the highest in the state. We can't afford to expand the Zoo at the expense of the Park District (who are 10% of zoo visitors). Vote "No" on the bond issue.
Statement prepared by : Curtis Mehlhaff, James Peterson and Gordon Peterson
The above statements were written by the jurisdiction committees, which are solely responsible for the contents therein.
This pamphlet was published by the Pierce County Auditor's Office
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