A public hearing will take place on Tuesday, January 16.
The purpose of this hearing is to take public testimony regarding establishment of a Transportation Benefit District pursuant to RCW 35.21.225 and Chapter 36.73 RCW.
A Transportation Benefit District (District) is a quasi-municipal corporation, an independent taxing authority, and a taxing district that can raise revenue for specific transportation improvement projects, typically through vehicle license fees or sales taxes. The City is proposing creation of a District that is coterminous with the corporate limits of the City as the boundaries currently exist or as they may exist following future annexations. The members of the Issaquah City Council would constitute the governing body of the District. The functions to be provided by the District include without limitation:
The District Board may authorize a vehicle tax fee of up to $20 per vehicle as provided for by RCW 82.80.140. Any expansion of the authorized purposes of the District shall be undertaken only after notice, hearing, and adoption of an ordinance in accordance with RCW 36.73.050(2)(b) or a vote of the people pursuant to RCW 36.73.065(3).
When authorized by the voters pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 36.73 RCW, other taxes, fees, charges and tolls, or increases in these revenue services may be assessed for the preservation, maintenance, and operations of City streets. Additional transportation improvements may be added to the functions of the District upon compliance with the requirements of said chapter.
The District Board shall have and exercise all powers and functions provided by Chapter 36.73 RCW to fulfill the functions of the District.
Although the proposed ordinance would authorize the District Board to implement revenue services, no fees, tolls or taxes are proposed to be implemented at this time.
Funds generated by the District would be used to finance transportation improvement projects identified in the Transportation Section of the City’s adopted 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Plan. Anyone interested may appear at the public hearing and be heard for or against, or provide comments regarding the proposed Transportation Benefit District.