We, the commissioners of the Orcas Island Park and Recreation District, take the stewardship of public funds as a critical component of our job as elected officials.  As part of assuring the voters that we are appropriately planning and budgeting in our levy request, we asked a group of citizens to act as third-party reviewers in examining a detailed, six-year budget justifying the request of voter approval of $0.15 per $1000 of assessed value. This levy replaces the former levy passed in 2011.

The citizens reviewing the OIPRD levy were: Joe Gaydos; Rick Hughes; Greg Ayers; Richard Fralick; Lisa Byers; Steve Jung; Andrew Stephens; Alyson Stephens; Donna Gerardi Riordan; Joe Cohen; Alexander Urban Conrad; Thom Carnevale; Jill Dann; Kathi Ciskowski; Marlace Hughes; Phil Heikkinen; Jim Bredouw; Joe Ciskowski; Krista Bouchey; Ken Katz and Ben Luna. Based on their review, all agreed to the following statement:

“I have read and reviewed the proposed Orcas Island Park and Recreation District 2016–2022 levy request, budget, and strategy for Rec District operations and proposed repairs to Buck Park. I believe the six-year levy request is appropriate and necessary to accomplish the scope of work proposed.”

Thank you voters of Orcas Island for taking the time to vote and please join these members of the community in voting to APPROVE the levy proposition by February 9. Please see our website: www.oiprd.org for more information and a reprint of the voter’s guide statements.

Bob Eagan, Martha Farish, Deborah Jones, Justin Paulsen, and Vicki Vandermay

Orcas Island Park and Recreation District Commissioners