City Asks Voters to Back Tax Increase

With the election just days away, there’s not much time to mount a campaign.

Interesting timing here as the City announces the proposed tax increase as ballots are mailed. They’ll rely on John Spencer’s piece in the voter’s guide to make the case. We’ll have a closer look at this measure in the coming days. Ballots mailed today. - Ed

City release:

CITY OF LAKE STEVENS, WA – The city of Lake Stevens is asking voters to consider a sales tax increase to fund a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) on the November 8, 2022, General Election ballot. If approved, the TBD will help the city pay for safe walkway and sidewalk connections to schools, street maintenance, and traffic congestion relief.

The city asked community members earlier this year to weigh in on transportation improvements and based on that feedback developed a priority projects list. The top three items were more sidewalks to schools and around the lake, street maintenance for high-volume roads, and multiuse pathways for recreation. The full projects list can be found here.

If approved by voters, the TBD will pay for those projects with a 0.2 percent sales tax or two cents on a $10 purchase. The city estimates it would collect approximately $1.5 million per year. Additionally, the TBD can be leveraged to secure millions more in grant funding to pay for larger traffic congestion relief projects in the city.

Why a sales tax?

This funding method ensures visitors who shop, dine, and recreate in Lake Stevens also help pay for city sidewalks, roads and trails they use. Seven cities in Snohomish County (Arlington, Lynnwood, Marysville, Monroe, Mukilteo, Snohomish and Stanwood) have TBDs funded by a voter-approved sales tax. The other way to fund a TBD is through a $20 vehicle registration fee, which does not require voter approval and would only apply to Lake Stevens residents. The community survey found that most people preferred the sales tax option.

Ballots must be postmarked by November 8 or dropped in a ballot box by 8 p.m. Election Day to count. More information can be found on the TBD page on the city’s website: www.lakestevenswa.gov.