Our guest speaker October 21st was Aaron Halverson, Director, Public Works for the City of Lake Stevens. Aaron provided information Proposition 1 on the November 8th General Election ballot measure, the Transportation Benefit District.
As shown above, the Transportation Benefit District is designated to raise revenue, acquire, construct, improve, provide, and fund transportation improvements in the City of Lake Stevens. Projects that are funded include traffic congestion relief, sidewalk connections and repairs, street and road maintenance, and multi-use pathways or trails. Revenue from the TBD can be used as matching funds.
State law allows voters to approve a sales tax increase up to 0.3% to fund a TBD. The Lake Stevens City Council is asking voters to consider 0.2% or 2 cents on a $10 purchase. Other ways to fund a TBD is by the City to authorize a non-voted $20 vehicle licensing fee on local residents. Currently, there is no support by the City Council for funding in this method.
Currently, Public Works has a $4 million dollar budget. Funding TBD would bring in another $1.5 million annually for transportation projects in our area. Public Works has 94 projects in their inventory covering $174,000,000. The city surveyed residents earlier this year. A full list of projects based on community priorities can be found on the City's website.
For more information you can contact City Administrator Gene Brazel or at 425 622 9414. He would welcome your questions.