Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1925-08-14
FACTS ABOUT PROPOSED
VASHON WATER DISTRICT
Courtesy Alex Stewart)

Since the discussion Of water,
works for VaShon is becoming
general in view if the coming elcc
ton, few observations on the
probable expense may be Of inter
est to the people in the district.
In the first place the election
is simply to determine whether
a district shall be formed or not /;
nothing more is voted ON except
the election Of commissioners, and
no expenses entailed. If the dis
trict is formed the commissioners
are to present a comprehensive
plan for providing water and sub
nit the same to the people for a.
doption at an election, which Shall
be determined by majority vote.
At the same time they may submit
a proposition to incur a general
Indebtedness which is for the main
plant and supply, to be charged
tc the whole district.
This indebtedness must be as
sented to by three-fifths of the
voters at the election and bonds
may be issued therefor payable in
not more than forty years from
date.
Our Vashon District comprises
one square mile centering at Wash
on and extending a half-mile in
each direction from the Bank, with
an assessed valuation of something
over $S0,000.00. The law pro-
vides for an Indebtedness Of one
per cent for water purposes, but
an additional four per cent can be
incurred upon a three-fifths vote
This would provide something ov,
er 100000 for the whole district
to pay for the main plant, and, ac-
cording to preliminary estimates
made by workers on the PROPOSE
tion, should be sufficient for the
purpose.
Let us see how this would effect
the property owner. A tract of
land or house and lot assessed at
$500.00 would be taxed $4,000 for
the general water works or about
$l.OO year in twenty-year bonds.
The A. ErneSsee tract in the dis
trict of over 81 acres is assessed
at $l,770; 81, ,230 ON land, and $500
on Improvements. That would be
taxed $3.50 for general improve.
ment. Payable in ten years, it
would cost $3.50 per year and in
terest on $3.50 at go. All Of the
property in the district would be
assessed at the same rate according
TO assessed valuation to pay for the
plant and water supply.
Within this district, however
Local Improvement Districts may
be formed on petition to the com
missioners and a hearing, to pay
for the cost of providing water
within the Local Improvement
District according to the SPEC
LAL BENEFITS to the property.
These can likely be worked out so
that householders and those hav-
ing access to the water will pay
for the same, for a farm tract ser
we'd with water for domestic pur-
poses would receive no greater
special benefit generally speaking,
than a town lot with a house or
store.
1t has ben suggested that a flat
assessment of not to exceed 5000.
be made for each connection in the
Improvement District. This
would take care Of considerable Of
the cost if it can be worked out
However, it should be borne in
mind that after the district is
formed no expense is to be incur
red without an election and the
five per cent limit and the forma-
ton Of Local Improvement Dis
riots determined only upon three
fifthS vote and full hearings.
AS no more than about "a 100000
can be raised for general indebted
ness and this can be done with
the nominal cost of perhaps $500
to a property worth $2,500.00, it
would seem the part Of wisdom,
il not an imperative necessity for
health and protection, to secure
so great boon as fresh water for
a dry community,
yLJ n n TI MEETTNH