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A possible TBD in Spokane Valley is making it on the City Council agenda PDQ.
With the city’s street fund ever-inching its way into the red – estimates put it at a negative balance as soon as 2010 – the council decided Tuesday that it was time to start actively and aggressively discussing financial options as soon as possible.
On April 29 the council will engage in a financial SWOT session – that’s breaking down strengths, weaknesses, opportunities – to bring the street fund up to a healthy level. It’s estimated that the city should be spending $4.6 million each year for adequate maintenance and preservation of roads.
Earlier this year, city finance officials said the state Legislature has provided local governments an answer. Cities like Spokane Valley can collect an additional $20 per year from those renewing their car registrations without a vote. The idea is that the extra money will be used exclusively to pay for local road improvements in the “tax benefit district” or TBD,
The council has informally stated that it’s way to early to decide how much the city would have to collect – or if it will use the TBD method at all. However, the consensus among members is that Spokane Valley voters would be able to vote on the matter – no matter what the amount.
“We have been looking at this as a vehicle – no pun intended – for funding for some time now,” Council Member Steve Taylor said Tuesday. “We need to have some extensive discussion before the public.”
The idea of adding fees to car tab renewals is a touchy topic. In Spokane County, Tim Eyman’s Initiative 695 – which eliminated the motor vehicle excise tax and brought car tabs down to $30 per year – was approved by 68 percent.
At a council retreat on Jan. 12, Ken Thompson, city finance director, said a $20 fee on car tabs in Spokane Valley would generate between $1.2 million and $1.4 million per year – not enough to address all of the city’s road problems.
Cities across the state are expected to lobby the Legislature in 2009 to allow for a street utility tax mechanism, which would garner funds from more than just car owners. But that’s not a sure thing, council members said.
But if voters are going to approve any kind of tax, they need to be made aware of what the consequences will be if it doesn’t pass, Mayor Richard Munson said. And that will have to come from a targeted public information campaign and not from public meetings or stories in newspapers.
“We have to get this before the public,” Munson said. “And if you think we can tell them from the podium, you’re wrong.”
In other news, the council unanimously agreed to join with Spokane County in a joint-planning agreement for the Turtle Creek area south of Spokane Valley between Barker and Sullivan roads.
The agreement – the first of its kind between the city and county – will allow both entities to work together to mitigate traffic, road wear, park use and other concerns.
“To be able to bring this to the table and get this agreement has been a difficult task,” Munson said.
City Attorney Mike Connelly called the agreement “a good first step.”
“Hopefully it’s the first of many (such agreements),” he said
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By
Mike Huffman
