Approving taxes without paying taxes

The La Conner Weekly News recently profiled the two candidates competing for the La Conner School District’s Director District 2 position on the Nov. 5 election ballot.

Marlys Baker and Janine Beasley are both members of the Swinomish Tribe and presumably reside on reservation trust land that by law is exempt from property taxes.

Among the many responsibilities of a school board member is establishing and approving special levy taxes voted on by school district residents and paid by district property owners.

Regardless of which candidate is elected, the fact that she (both candidates are women) is involved in the District’s levy decisions yet is personally exempt from property taxes creates a serious conflict of interest.

La Conner residents are acutely aware of the disastrous effects that emanated from the Ninth Circuit’s Great Wolf Lodge decision: the tribally-engineered “tax advisory” issued by the State Department of Revenue that resulted in the removal of 931 properties from county tax rolls; a subsequent property tax shift to “make up the difference;” and the creation of a “tax authority” by the Swinomish.

At the very least, the District 2 board representative should recuse herself from any discussion or decision regarding prospective school district special levies. I know of no other school directors (school board members) in the county who are not subject to the property taxes they may recommend. Additionally, the District 2 board representative is in a unique position to influence the “contribution” the tribe makes to the LCSD derived from “use and occupation” taxes the tribe collects from Shelter Bay and Pull-And-Be-Damned property owners without representation. Many consider these taxes to be of questionable validity and are appealing for a judicial review and determination.

La Conner resident Dan O’Donnell’s letter published in the Oct. 12 Skagit Valley Herald addressed the issue that property tax revenue sustained by the tax shift, the tribe’s “contribution” (albeit not the full amount collected), federal impact monies transferred and additional special levy monies that continue to be voted on/approved and received by the District collectively result in substantial over-taxation that amounts to “double dipping” and needs to be remedied.

Readers, please “encourage” Skagit County Assessor Dave Thomas and state legislators to address and correct these matters.

Bruce Elliot

Shelter Bay