The South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District is considering a minor hike in its maintenance and operations levy.

During a meeting Oct. 20, the district’s board of commissioners contemplated a few options for the replacement levy.

The current levy, which expires at the end of 2022, charges property owners 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed properties in its first year. The levy amount increased by 1% each year.

The parks and rec commissioners discussed three possible tax rates for a new four-year levy, which would begin in 2023. They plan to put the measure up for the vote on the February 2022 ballot.

The proposed rates are 20, 21 or 22 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Doug Coutts, executive director for the district, said he would prepare three separate resolutions with the three different amounts for the commissioners to choose from at the next parks and rec meeting, scheduled for Nov. 17.

The levy supports the maintenance and operation of community parks, trails and facilities, all recreational programming and the wages for the staff required to run those programs.

Coutts said it is difficult to estimate just how much revenue the new levy will bring in, since revenue is based on assessed property value and that data won’t be available until 2022.

If it were based on this year’s values, he estimated 20 cents would bring in $1.18 million, 21 cents would bring in $1.24 million and 22 cents would bring in $1.3 million.

Given recent trends in the housing market, Coutts and the parks commissioners were optimistic that sticking with the lowest rate option might be sufficient.

However, an additional cent or two could ensure that the reserve fund will be provided for and that new projects, such as pickleball courts or the aquatic center, could be better funded.

Commissioners will discuss the pros and cons of the proposed levy amount options at the next meeting.