Heritage and Historic Preservation groups have been hearing a lot of talk lately about something called “HB 1386” and the steady stream of revenue it could generate every year for local historical programs and historic preservation. Recently, the King County Council appointed a task force to look into this new money and come up with recommendations for how it should spend it. A little background on this complicated issue…
In 2005, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 1386, which increased the local document recording fee from $2 to $5. This fee is collected anytime someone files documents with the County Recorder (e.g. real estate documents, liens, marriage applications, and the like). State law requires that $1 of that filing fee be deposited in the County’s general fund and used “to promote historical preservation or historical programs, which may include preservation of historic documents (RCW 36.22.170).”
What does this mean, exactly? Should the money be used to support the work of heritage groups and landmark owners throughout the county, or should it be used to support the County’s own Historic Preservation program – the KCHPP?
To resolve this issue, Councilman Bob Ferguson last year proposed a “Historic Preservation and Historical Programs Advisory Task Force,” which was finally established in June 2009. Five members were appointed to the task force in September, and an additional three were added at the beginning of October. Members include: Marilyn Brockman (Chair), Richard Anderson, Joe Follansbee, Vicki Stiles, Marie Strong, Heather Trescases, Bob Weaver, and Susan White.
At their October 30th meeting, the Task Force approved an interim report for the 2010 county budget, essentially blessing the notion that the new funds (estimated at $550,000 for next year) be directed toward both 4Culture and the KCHPP “to establish new programs and enhance ongoing programs” on a countywide basis. The report also stated very clearly that the money should augment (not replace) existing funding for the KCHPP, which dates back to 1978.
It’s a tough budget year ahead, however. At this time it appears that the Council has decided to use the new revenue to support the operations of the KCHPP. The Task Force will continue to meet regularly until March to debate the best use of this new money going forward. The principles on which they’ll base their discussion (new projects and initiatives, no supplantation) are already spelled out in their interim report.
To read the full interim report or to access the HPHP Advisory Task Force schedule of meetings (all open to the public), meeting minutes, agendas, or to share your comments, visit kingcounty.gov.
For more information, contact Flo Lentz at 206 296.8682
Photo: Tollgate Farmhouse, 2009, Courtesy of City of North Bend
