As elections draw near, residents of Ocean Shores will be called upon next week to vote on Proposition 1 — whether or not to issue a $12 million bond to finance the design and construction of a new police station.
The existing station, built in 1990, is unequal to the task of handling the needs of Ocean Shores, which has significantly expanded since the current station’s construction in 1990, said city Administrator Scott Anderson in the explanatory statement in the voting pamphlet for the proposition.
“OSPD’s existing station was built in 1990 as a temporary structure. Since that time, the City’s population has approximately tripled, and OSPD has grown from six full-time commissioned officer positions to 12 full-time commissioned officer positions and five support staff positions.”
The new station would have adequate space for police personnel at increased staffing levels and dedicated interview rooms that comply with state law, a need that’s currently unmet, according to the pamphlet. Anderson said the new station would be located near the Ocean Shores Golf Course.
The bond would be paid by property taxes. Although the phamplet cites a levy rate of $0.53 per $1,000 of assessed value, the rate recently decreased to $0.38 per $1,000 of assessed value, based on 2023 preliminary data from the Grays Harbor County Assessor’s office, City Clerk Sara Logan wrote in an email to The Daily World Wednesday.
According to Logan, Ocean Shores Finance Director Angela Folkers received the city’s 2023 preliminary assessed values from the County Assessor’s Office Oct. 31. Folkers asked Managing Director of Local Government Finance Dave Trageser to update the levy rates for the Police station bond based on the recent preliminary assessed values, according to Logan.
Logan said information about the decrease in levy rate was provided to both the city council and the committees both for and against the proposition.
The voter’s pamphlet also states that homeowners older than 61 or who meet low-income requirements could qualify for an exemption.
For and against
Committees appointed by the city wrote opinions supporting or opposing the bond.
“Our Police Station needs to be replaced. The time is now,” said Randy Peck, writing the supporting argument. “Our 1990 facility, originally a temporary solution, is mechanically, structurally, and legally deficient. The time to replace it is now.”
Peck said the replacement will never be cheaper than now, and that the bond, which would begin in the new year if voted for, is less than half of the cost of the sewer treatment bond that retires at the end of 2022. The dissenting opinion emphasized that it’s an idea whose time has not yet come with the current economic climate.
“‘Right idea. Wrong time.’ Though we support our police and a new police station would be a welcome addition to Ocean Shores, now is NOT the right time,” said Susan Conniry, writing the dissenting committee’s argument. “The total city obligation (what the taxpayers pay) is NOT $12 million over 20 years. With interest, the amount will be more than $19 million.”
The current facility is woefully inadequate to the task it faces, Peck said, and fails to meet state requirements. The cost will never be less, Peck emphasized, saying there would be no tax burden and that those on senior or disabled tax exemptions would be excluded. However, those not covered in that senior or disabled category, including many low or medium income families, will not be exempted, Conniry said.
“Over half of our residents are retired, living on a fixed income. Visits to our food bank are increasing; an indicator of the failing financial health of our citizens. Ever increasing utility fees, higher property taxes, rising food prices, medical bills and the cost to fill our gas tanks leave many of us just barely hanging on,” Conniry said. “Any additional tax burden at this time will cause more financial pain.”
The capabilities lacking from the current station are many and manifest, Peck said, including an interview room with sound and video recording, sufficient work, meeting and locker space, and technical requirements like backups for emergency systems and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
“Our current facility is 31 years old and is beyond repair. It will never meet State law requirements,” Peck said. “We have learned from past projects that it will never cost less. The bond issue will not be an added tax burden.”
The Ocean Shores Police Department could not be reached for comment.
Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.
Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World Ocean Shores residents will vote on Nov. 8 whether or not to fund design and construction of a police station to replace the current station with a $12 million bond.
