Bainbridge voters on Tuesday approved a tax increase that will put almost $1 million a year toward new parks and open space preservation.

The Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park and Recreation District’s levy lid lift, which would pay for the acquisition and maintenance of new parklands, was approved with over 54 percent of the vote, according to election results released by the Kitsap County Auditor on Tuesday night.

“I’m so happy,” said Barb Trafton, co-chair of the pro-levy Bainbridge People for Parks. “It’s a very difficult environment now (for a levy lid lift) with the economy looking the way it does, but Bainbridge Island historically supports its parks, its environment and facilities to support our youth.”

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The Kitsap Sun gave a thumbs up to the Bainbridge parks levy proposed in your ballot. Read the endorsement below.

EDITORIAL: Bainbridge Parks Levy Is a Good Call

Bainbridge Island residents love their open space, and want to preserve what they have.

Of course, the same thing can be said about money.

On Nov. 4, Bainbridge Island residents will be weighing those two priorities in a levy lid lift request by the Bainbridge Island Metro Park and Recreation District.

The issue would raise the district’s tax levy from the current 58 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to 75 cents in 2009. For a median-priced $600,000 Bainbridge Island home, the increase would amount to about $102 per year.

If approved, the request would generate an estimated $1.1 million to $1.2 million in additional revenues for the district.

The district would use most of the money — a minimum of 75 percent — to purchase, develop and improve property for parks. The funds also would be used to enable work by a citizens committee to advise the district on property acquisitions.

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