King County's Regional Policy Committee yesterday proposed putting an $11 million property-tax levy to support troubled veterans and their families on the November ballot. But a coalition of human-services providers threatened to oppose its passage.

The plan split both social-service advocates and veterans' groups, who couldn't agree whether it would hurt the chances of a larger tax measure that could come as early as next year.

The Regional Policy Committee — whose members include representatives of the Metropolitan King County Council, Seattle and suburban cities — voted 7-3 in favor of the Veterans Services Levy after acrimonious debate.

The measure will go to voters only if the County Council accepts the regional committee's recommendation. County Executive Ron Sims supports the proposal.

If passed, it would cost the owner of a $250,000 home $10.25 a year.

Supporters said it would provide much-needed help for veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as older veterans. Opponents said it would jeopardize a more comprehensive funding package that would help all people in need.

County Councilman Bob Ferguson, chairman of the regional committee, said passage of this smaller measure would build support for a larger one later. "I think that success breeds success," said Ferguson, D-Seattle.

Sims' Task Force on Regional Human Services last year suggested a vote in 2006 or later on a levy of unspecified size to strengthen services to the poor, the homeless and the abused. But a subsequent poll showed marginal voter support for the idea.

When the Regional Policy Committee began to study veterans' needs last fall, the idea of a smaller tax proposal targeted at veterans began to pick up bipartisan support from members who believed it could win at the polls.

The King County Alliance for Human Services, a broad coalition of service providers, yesterday asked the committee to drop the veterans-only levy in favor of a more comprehensive plan.

Laura Wells, chairwoman of the alliance, asked the committee not to "betray us or the people we serve, including veterans," with the smaller tax increase. "Please don't play politics with people's lives," she said.

Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Salvation Army also asked the regional committee not to endorse a veterans-only levy.

Jack Michaels, paralyzed when his helicopter was shot down over Vietnam, rolled his wheelchair to a microphone and said, "We have some concerns about the needs of our greater community."

Representatives of the King County Veterans Advisory Board and the National Association for Black Veterans supported the levy.

Redmond Mayor Rosemarie Ives choked up and became teary as she explained her vote against the levy.

"It feels like a steamroller," she said. "I guess the public will see it for what it is."

Newcastle City Councilman Sonny Putter voted for the levy, declaring, "This is about doing something rather than talking about it."

Putter called the Sims task force report "shelf art. ... It's going nowhere. It's going nowhere, fast."

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com