Lopez voters will be asked to approve a .13 percent increase in the local property tax to partially fund operations of the Lopez dump in 2014, a proposition that will be on the November 2013, general election ballot.

The tax will raise a total of about $115,000, taking the levy from 9.7 cents per $1,000 of valuation to 11 cents per $1,000. Under the state constitution, solid waste disposal districts (there are four in Washington, two of which are in San Juan County) must seek voter approval every year for tax levies.

Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District board member Sandy Bishop said the district will try to change state law so annual levy propositions are not required. Bishop pointed out that the more successful the district is in reducing waste and increasing recycling and reuse, the less money the district earns from handling trash, necessitating the small tax increase this year.