Yelm City Council votes 6-0 to voice support of upcoming YCS levy

During a Yelm City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the Yelm City Council, excluding councilor Tracey Wood, who abstained from his decision, voted 6-0 in favor of a resolution that expresses support for the upcoming Yelm Community Schools levy.

The resolution read that YCS serves students and families residing within the City of Yelm and the surrounding community, and is an important public institution within the Yelm Community. The quality and availability of educational programs, student activities, health and safety services and other school services contribute to the well-being of students, families and the community as a whole, according to the resolution.

“The City Council recognizes that the decision whether to approve Proposition No. 1 ultimately rests with the voters of Yelm Community Schools,” the resolution read. “RCW 29B.45.010 permits an elected legislative body to take action at an open public meeting to express a collective decision or to support or oppose a ballot proposition, provided that the meeting notice includes the title and number of the ballot proposition and members of the legislative body or members of the public are afforded an approximately equal opportunity for the expression of an opposing view.”

Additionally, the resolution read that Yelm City Council considered Proposition No. 1 during an open meeting, and the notice identified the title and number of the ballot proposition.

“The Yelm City Council hereby expresses its support for Yelm Community Schools Proposition No. 1 maintain Educational Programs and Operations Levy, appearing on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot,” the resolution read. “This resolution constitutes the collective position of the Yelm City Council adopted pursuant to RCW 29B.45.010. Nothing in this Resolution authorizes the use of City facilities, staff time, funds, equipment, mailing lists, publications, or other City resources for campaign purposes except as otherwise permitted by law.”
Yelm City Clerk Kathy Linnemeyer said during the Yelm City Council study session meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6, there was a presentation from YCS and the city council expressed its support for the upcoming levy.

Councilor Terry Kaminski wanted the public to know that if the levy doesn’t pass, the school district would “basically dissolve.”

“I’m understanding it can never come together again,” Kaminski said. “When I found that out, it was really impactful to me. Schools are very important to everything we do here, and I just wanted the people to know that.”

Councilor Tracey Wood said being a city councilor boils down to being a representation of the citizens. He noted this is the fifth time YCS has run a levy for local voters to decide on, and said the community clearly doesn’t agree on this topic.

“I don’t disagree with my fellow council members that schools are very important, and I think this levy is also very important. I question whether or not it’s appropriate or not for us to pass a resolution in regards to something that’s on the next ballot. I think that this is something we each have an opportunity to go out and vote on, and that’s what we ought to do,” Wood said. “It’s pretty split. I think that as representatives of the community, I don’t think it’s our role to make a decision on supporting or not supporting an item that’s coming up on the next ballot, that each of the citizens has the opportunity to get out and vote. I would encourage everybody to get out and vote and get your voice heard. I will be abstain from this vote because I don’t believe it’s the role of the city council to be involved in this.”

Mayor Joe DePinto said the City of Yelm asked its attorney if this resolution was something the council could legally do. He also pointed out that he and Woods have both voted on resolutions like this in the past when they served on city council together.

“We passed these in support of bonds and levies,” DePinto said. “People inside of city limits did pass this.”

Wood responded, saying he’s not disagreeing with DePinto on that. He added it was still a slim margin of passing in Yelm city limits.

“We’re here to represent all citizens of the city,” Wood said. “Once again, we’re representatives. We’re not leaders. I think this is an attempt to lead people in a direction and I don’t believe it’s appropriate. For that reason, I’ll be abstained.”