Mason County Property Owners: What the North Mason School District Levy Means for Your Tax Bill

Q: Does the levy apply if my property is in Kitsap County but within the school district?

Yes. The district covers portions of both Mason County and Kitsap County; all property owners within district boundaries are subject to the levy.

Q: What happens to school programs if the levy fails again?

A third failure would force additional cuts beyond the $4.5 million already absorbed after February 2025.

For Mason County Property Owners: The North Mason School District replacement levy on the April 28, 2026 ballot would collect an estimated $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed property value annually through 2029. This is a replacement levy, not a new tax. Total annual collection: up to $5,577,446 across the district.

The North Mason Levy and Your Property Tax: What the April 28 Vote Means

For Mason County property owners, the April 28 special election brings a concrete question: what does the North Mason School District replacement levy mean for your tax bill, and what has already changed in the district since the levy funding lapsed after the February 2025 failure?

The Numbers: What You Would Pay

The replacement levy would authorize up to $5,577,446 per year collected from property owners within the district from 2026 through 2029. The estimated collection rate is $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Estimated annual cost at common Mason County assessed values:

$200,000: approximately $256/year ($21/month)
$300,000: approximately $384/year ($32/month)
$400,000: approximately $512/year ($43/month)
$500,000: approximately $640/year ($53/month)

This is a replacement levy — it renews an expiring measure, not a new tax layer. Property owners who were paying under the previous levy would see their rate continue at roughly the same level.

School Quality and Property Values

After the February 2025 levy failure and the resulting $4.5 million in cuts, the North Mason School District reduced athletics, arts, music, counseling, and after-school programs. A third consecutive failure in April 2026 would force further reductions for the 2026–2027 school year.

School district quality is consistently among the top factors prospective homebuyers evaluate when assessing a community. The relationship between school funding and residential property values is well-documented in Washington state real estate markets.

This Is the Third Attempt

The levy failed in February 2025 and November 2025. April 28, 2026 is the third vote on this replacement measure. The district has operated under reduced funding since the first failure, absorbing cuts to programs that levy revenue previously supported. A third failure would deepen those cuts further.

How to Vote

Ballots were mailed April 7 and processing began April 13. Drop your ballot at any official Mason County drop box (locations at masoncountywa.gov) or mail it postmarked by April 28. Track your ballot at VoteWA.gov. Last day to register: April 20.

For the full voter guide, see Mason County April 28 Special Election Coverage. For Mason County economic news, see Mason County Business Update.

Frequently Asked Questions: North Mason Levy and Property Taxes

What is the North Mason School District levy rate in 2026?

The estimated rate is $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The levy would collect up to $5,577,446 per year from 2026 through 2029 from properties within the district boundaries.

Is this a new tax or a replacement?

This is a replacement levy — it renews an expiring measure rather than creating a new obligation. Property owners within the North Mason School District were already paying under the previous levy at a comparable rate.

Does the levy apply if my property is in Kitsap County but within the school district?

Yes. The North Mason School District covers portions of both Mason County and Kitsap County. Property owners within the district boundaries in either county are subject to the levy if it passes.

What happens to school programs if the levy fails again?

A third failure would force the district to implement additional cuts beyond the $4.5 million already absorbed after February 2025, affecting athletics, arts, counseling, security staffing, and after-school programming for the 2026–2027 school year.

Where can I find Mason County drop box locations?

Official drop box locations are listed at masoncountywa.gov. Boxes are open 24/7. You can also mail your ballot postmarked by April 28 or register and vote in person at the Mason County Auditor’s office on Election Day.