To the editor:

If you are concerned about the effect of the new state education levy on your property taxes, you will want to mark your calendar for Feb. 15. That’s when the League of Women Voters of Kitsap and Kitsap Regional Library will sponsor an appearance by Kitsap County Assessor Phil Cook and Treasurer Meredith Green from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bainbridge Island Library, 1270 Madison Ave. North.

In response to the state Supreme Court decision in the McCleary case, the Legislature voted last year to end reliance on locally raised taxes for basic education. As of September 2019, the new law will actually make it illegal to use local levies to fund basic ed.

But this year, 2018, will be a transition period, when the state portion of our taxes will go up but we will still be paying for local maintenance and operations (M&O) levies.

Cook and Green will explain how the new funding mechanism will work in Kitsap County and what we can expect going forward. They will be available to answer questions and concerns from the audience. Please join us — this program is free and open to all.

ANN STROSNIDER

Southworth

Publicity Chair, League of Women Voters of Kitsap