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 time...
Click here for full text