Please support Proposition 2 on the Nov. 5 ballot. This “levy lift” supports many important and worthy island programs and I’d like to mention the one dear to my heart, Master Gardeners. Voters approved this funding method in 2009 and again in 2014 at 18 cents per $1,000 of property value.

The 2019 proposition proposal raises the levy to 22 cents per $1,000. These funds support programs that attract and support many volunteers, which in turn support our residents and rural lifestyle. In 2019, 71 volunteers in the Master Gardener Program have given 3,485 hours of volunteer time. These hours supported the “Grow Your Own Food” education program for families, raised 1,500 pounds of produce from our demonstration garden for the SJI food bank, provided public education events on gardening topics, and helped diagnose gardening problems. Funding generated by the small increase in property tax magnifies the use of county programs with volunteer time and benefits us all. San Juan County has developed a website and fact sheet with specific information on what the levy lift will cost, which programs are funded and by how much and clarifies misunderstandings about the levy increase. You can find this information here: https://www.sanjuanco.com/1642/Proposed-Levy-Lid-Lift-2019. I urge you to vote yes on Proposition 2.

Julia Turney

Eastsound