Bellevue’s City Council unanimously passed a resolution on Oct. 6 in favor of placing a parks levy on the Nov. 4 general-election ballot.

The city’s existing parks levy expires this year.

Costs for the new levy would be 12 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or $71 per year for a typical Bellevue home, according to the city.

That rate is less than the expiring 1988 rate, which had an average of 17 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

Funds from the new levy would pay for acquisition of properties to preserve natural areas and pursue projects that protect water quality in Bellevue’s lakes and streams.

“It is part of our signature as a city, a great system of parks that we have,” Bellevue Mayor Grant Degginger said in a statement. “This will provide additional fields for developed recreation. It will also preserve some of the natural areas that we hold dear.

Among the projects that the new levy would fund are:

• Trail and natural-area improvements in Coal Creek and Lewis Creek parks.

• Completion of the circle around the waterfall and reflecting pond at Bellevue Downtown Park.

• Upgrades to the synthetic turf at Wilburton and Newport Hills soccer fields.

• Redevelopment of the Surrey Downs

• Developing a 27-acre community park in the Eastgate area along 156th Avenue Southeast

The City Council solicited comments from residents prior to the Oct. 6 vote, which took place after a public hearing that same day.

Nine people favored putting the levy measure on ballots this November, while none opposed the idea, according to city officials.

Additional information about the parks levy is available by calling (425) 452-2805.