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Vehicle license increase could be on fall ballot

By John Larson

Tacoma City Councilmember Mike Lonergan wants voters to decide if they would pay a new vehicle licensing fee of around $20 per year to fund repairs to the city’s street system. He made his suggestion during the council’s May 20 study session when members heard a presentation on transportation benefit districts from Ashley Probart, a lobbyist for Association of Washington Cities.  

This tool was first approved by the state legislature in 1987. A recent revision required Pierce, King and Snohomish counties to wait until six months after the November 2007 vote on Proposition 1, an $18 billion roads and mass transit package that was rejected by voters.

With six months passed, Tacoma can now consider this option. If it forms such a district, it could impose fees of up to $20 without voter approval, or up to $100 with voter approval. Probart estimated Tacoma could generate between $3.3 million and $16.8 million each year. One eastern Washington city is currently generating about 15 percent of its road maintenance budget through this process, he noted.

Forming a district would allow the city to add to its bonding capacity, he said in response to a question.

The state Department of Revenue would collect between 1 and 2 percent of money raised to cover administrative costs, he added.

“Is this authority Tim Eyman-proof?” asked Councilmember Jake Fey, referring to the anti-tax initiative promoter who put an initiative calling for $30 license tabs on the 1999 statewide ballot.

Probart said Eyman is carefully watching which cities or counties form such a district. Probart said Eyman is frustrated by this process but has not yet tried to repeal it with an initiative.

Lonergan noted that a general characteristic of Eyman’s initiatives is to put limits on raising taxes but allowing for them to be raised beyond them if approved by voters. As such, putting something above the $20 mark and allowing voters to make the final call should satisfy Eyman, Lonergan observed.

He noted that a $100 increase is not likely to be supported by Tacoma voters. But if they are given a well-thought out plan, a smaller increase “might find some traction.”

City Manager Eric Anderson said the council should consider this option and that his staff will present more information to them soon.

Fey said the council would need to make a decision soon if it is to place it on the ballot this fall.

“The options are so wide depending on how you mix and match the revenue,” said Councilmember Julie Anderson. Many constituents ask her what the city’s long-range plans are for repairing its streets, many of which are in serious states of degradation. She wants to put together a plan for the next 15 years. “They are going to be wanting the total package from us,” she remarked.

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