Legislation Details

File #: 2026-1677    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: Regular Agenda
File created: 6/30/2026 In control: Committee of the Whole
On agenda: 7/15/2026 Final action:
Title: Ordinance 26-031, relating to the Snohomish County Transportation Benefit District; imposing a sales tax for financing transportation improvements, creating a Transportation Benefit District Fund, and amending Chapter 2.85 SCC
Sponsors: Sam Low
Code sections: RCW 36.73.040(3)(a) - Transportation Benefit District Funding, RCW 82.14.0455 - TBD Sales and Use Tax, SCC 2.85 - Transportation Benefit District
Attachments: 1. Proposed Ordinance 26-031, 2. Staff Report, 3. Ordinance Introduction Slip

 

 

Executive/Council Action Form (ECAF)

 

 

ITEM TITLE:

Title

Ordinance 26-031, relating to the Snohomish County Transportation Benefit District; imposing a sales tax for financing transportation improvements, creating a Transportation Benefit District Fund, and amending Chapter 2.85 SCC

body

DEPARTMENT:  Council

 

ORIGINATOR:  CM Low; Council Staff Deb Bell

 

EXECUTIVE RECOMMENDATION:  Click or tap here to enter text.

 

PURPOSE: Amending Snohomish County Code Section 2.85, to impose a 10-year 0.1% sales and use tax for county roadway improvements.

 

BACKGROUND: In 2015, the Washington State Legislature enacted RCW 36.74.010, which permits counties by ordinance to assume the rights, powers, functions and obligations of a TBD, thereby consolidating its operations under the county’s direct governance.   Snohomish County established a TBD in 2011 as a separate governing body to provide funding for transportation projects in unincorporated Snohomish County.  However, a funding mechanism for transportation improvements was not included in the original ordinance.  State law gives TBDs access to a number of funding sources, one of which is the sales and use tax.  TBDs have access to a total of 0.3% increased sales tax, of which 0.1% can be imposed by the TBD Board and 0.2% requires a popular vote after approval by the TBD.

 

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

EXPEND: FUND, AGY, ORG, ACTY, OBJ, AU

CURRENT YR

2ND YR

1ST 6 YRS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUE: FUND, AGY, ORG, REV, SOURCE

CURRENT YR

2ND YR

1ST 6 YRS

Estimated

NA

+/- $5M

+/- $5M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT FISCAL IMPACT NOTES:  Snohomish County Public Works has made significant cuts and project delays to address the ongoing structural budget deficit.  This deficit is due to a number of factors, including inflation, increased mandates, and declining revenue.  The CPI for labor, materials, equipment, and services is up 39% in the last 4 years. The change in mandates, such as NPDES, fish passage, increased permitting times and asset costs has added unforeseen costs, and declining gas tax revenue has been exacerated with the road levy capped at 1% annually has created this deficit. 

 

CONTRACT INFORMATION:

ORIGINAL

 

CONTRACT#

 

AMOUNT

 

AMENDMENT

 

CONTRACT#

 

AMOUNT

 

 

Contract Period

ORIGINAL

START

 

END

 

AMENDMENT

START

 

END

 

 

OTHER DEPARTMENTAL REVIEW/COMMENTS:  Click or tap here to enter text.