News Article Highlights: Click on one of the highlighted links below to scroll down the page:
Wise Investments in Transportation Taskforce • Mukilteo Transportation Benefit District • How would the extra sales tax be used? • Bike, Transit, Walking Plan • How to get more information
Ballot Title: The Governing Board of the Mukilteo Transportation Benefit District, Mukilteo, Washington, adopted Resolution No. TBD2017-03 concerning a sales and use tax to fund transportation improvements. This proposition would authorize a sales and use tax of up to one-tenth of one percent (0.001) to be collected from all taxable retail sales within the District in accordance with RCW 82.14.0455, which would expire after ten years, for the purpose of paying or financing costs of the following transportation improvement projects identified in the City of Mukilteo Transportation Improvement Program: preservation of City streets, the construction and maintenance of sidewalks, trails and other pedestrian facilities, and safety and mobility improvements for bicyclists. Should this proposition be approved?
Explanatory Statement: If approved by voters, Proposition 1 would authorize an increase in the city sales tax of one-tenth of one percent for ten years beginning on April 1, 2018, to fund transportation improvements as authorized under chapter 36.73 RCW.
The City of Mukilteo has formed the Mukilteo Transportation Benefit District for the purpose of constructing transportation improvements to preserve city streets and improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety. State law requires that the additional sales tax revenues may only be spent for transportation improvements as identified by the Governing Board of the Mukilteo Transportation Benefit District. The Governing Board has identified two projects from the City of Mukilteo Transportation Improvement Program for funding: the annual pavement preservation program and BTW program for construction of sidewalks, walkways, bike lanes or shared-use paths.
Any material changes to the projects funded using sales tax revenue would require a public hearing and passage of a resolution by the Governing Board. State law requires that the Mukilteo Transportation Benefit District submit annual financial reports to the State Auditor’s office and publish an annual transportation improvement report to the public and newspapers of record detailing revenues, expenditures, and the status of all projects, including cost and construction schedules.
City of Mukilteo Proposition No. 1 Information Guide (access the link by clicking on the highlighted text)
Wise Investments in Transportation Taskforce: The City Council recently created a Wise Investments in Transportation Taskforce comprised of local residents and business owners. The Taskforce comprehensively analyzed the City’s street maintenance, bicycle, pedestrian, transit and transportation funding policies and plans and submitted a final report to the City Council in June 2016.
Final Report, June 2016 (access the link by clicking on the highlighted text)
WITT 2015 Report to Council (access the link by clicking on the highlighted text)
Mukilteo Transportation Benefit District: The State Legislature created Transportation Benefit Districts (TBDs) as an option for local governments to fund transportation improvements. A TBD is a quasi-municipal corporation and independent taxing district created for the sole purpose of funding and constructing transportation improvements within the district. The City Council formed the Mukilteo Transportation Benefit District in 2017, with the members of the City Council serving as the Governing Board of the TBD. In July, the TBD Board referred Proposition 1 to Mukilteo voters to authorize an additional 0.1% sales and use tax to fund street maintenance, pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements.
Ordinance 1399: Establishing the Mukilteo Transportation Benefit District (access the link by clicking on the highlighted text)
Resolution TBD2017-01: TBD Charter (access the link by clicking on the highlighted text)
Resolution TBD2017-02: Material Change Policy (access the link by clicking on the highlighted text)
Resolution TBD2017-03: 0.1% Sales Tax Ballot Proposition (access the link by clicking on the highlighted text)
TBD Meeting Agendas and Minutes (access the link by clicking on the highlighted text). Scroll down the page to find “Transportation Benefit District” meetings on the list.
How would the extra sales tax be used?
Street Maintenance: Just like the cars that drive on our streets, the streets themselves require regular maintenance to ensure they are in operable condition and to avoid more costly repairs in the future. The top layer of the street is the most prone to weather and wear from traffic. By keeping the top layer in working condition, the entire street stays in better condition for longer. The City has developed a 20 year plan to address streets based on their condition and need, if adequate funding is provided over the course of the plan every street will receive some type of surface treatment.
Pavement Management Plan (access the link by clicking on the highlighted text)
20 Year Map (access the link by clicking on the highlighted text)
Bike, Transit, Walking Plan: The City Council has adopted a Bike, Transit, Walking (BTW) Plan to make strategic investments in bicycle and pedestrian safety. The plan has identified 29 barriers to safe walking and biking, 61 miles of sidewalk gaps, 18 miles of bicycle facility gaps, and two schools with hazardous barriers to walking and biking. The BTW Plan prioritizes short, medium and long term priorities to address these gaps and barriers and construct a coordinated transportation system. The Plan recommends annual funding of $435,000 in order to construct 23 high-priority projects within seven years.
BTW Plan (access the link by clicking on the highlighted text)
BTW Webpage (access the link by clicking on the highlighted text)
Do you have questions about Proposition 1 that have not been answered? The City’s Policy Analyst is available to help answer your questions. You can email (mliias@mukilteowa.gov) or call (425-263-8007) with questions!
