Drafter
Clerk 02/24/2005
Title
AN ORDINANCE establishing November 8, 2005, as the date for an election on the question of whether a local option motor fuels excise tax should be levied in King County; and appointing a committee to write the voters' pamphlet statement for this question.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. Funding for improving and maintaining transportation infrastructure in King County has not kept pace with growth in the region and the demand placed on our transportation system.
B. Voters in King County opposed the passage of statewide Initiative 776 by an overwhelming margin, but Initiative 776 passed statewide and eliminated King County's fifteen-dollar annual vehicle license fee, costing the county and its cities approximately eighteen million dollars in revenue used for road and highway capital needs consistent with requirements established in the state constitution.
C. The annual capital and preservation deficit for King County jurisdictions exceeds two hundred sixty-five million dollars.
D. The revenue loss caused by Initiative 776 required the county road services division to defer critical capacity projects and scale back many of its capital programs. The cities in King County also experienced devastating impacts on road capital programs.
E. Performing essential maintenance, preserving the useful life of existing facilities and building additional capacity into the county's road network are all essential requirements for a vital regional economy and sustained economic development.
F. Under RCW 82.80.010, county legislative bodies are authorized to place on the ballot a local option excise tax equal to ten percent of the statewide motor vehicle fuel excise tax. If approved by a majority of voters, this tax will be levied on each gallon of motor vehicle fuel and special fuel sold within the boundaries of the county. RCW 82.80.080 provides that revenues from this tax shall be distributed to the cities and the county on a population-based formula, with the county population equal to one and one-half of the unincorporated area population.
G. Pursuant to chapter 29A.04 RCW, the county council deems an emergency to exist for the purpose of calling a special election to place the question of a local option motor fuels excise tax before the voters on November 8, 2005.
H. K.C.C. chapter 1.10 provides for the publication and distribution of local voters' pamphlets in conformity with the provisions of chapter 29A.32 RCW for elections held in King County.
I. RCW 29A.32.280 provides that for each measure from a jurisdiction that is included in a local voters' pamphlet, the legislative authority of that jurisdiction shall formally appoint a committee to prepare arguments advocating voter approval of the measure and a committee to prepare arguments advocating voter rejection of the measure.
SECTION 2. A special election shall be held on November 8, 2005, in accordance with chapter 29A.04 RCW, for the purpose of submitting the question in section 3 of this ordinance.
SECTION 3. In accordance with chapter 29A.04 RCW, it is hereby deemed that an emergency exists requiring the submission to the qualified electors of the county at a special election to be held on November 8, 2005, a question of whether a local option motor fuels tax should be imposed in King County. The King County manager of the records, elections and licensing services division is hereby requested to assume jurisdiction to call and conduct a special election and submit to the registered voters of the county the proposition as set forth in section 3 of this ordinance. The clerk of the council is hereby authorized and directed to transmit this proposition to the manager of the records, elections and licensing services division, with such additions, deletions or modifications in the ballot title as may be required for the proposition listed below by the King County prosecutor:
Proposition 1: The King County Council passed Ordinance concerning a local option motor fuels excise tax. This measure asks whether the voters in King County support imposition of a tax equal to ten percent of the state motor fuels excise tax to replace road revenue lost as a result of statewide initiatives that reduced transportation funding?
Yes
No
SECTION 4. The manager of the records, elections and licensing services division is hereby authorized and requested to prepare and distribute a local voters' pamphlet, pursuant to K.C.C. 1.10.010, for the special election called for in this ordinance, the cost of the pamphlet to be included as part of the cost of the special election.
SECTION 5. Pursuant to RCW 29A.32.280, the following individuals are
appointed to serve on the voters' pamphlet committees, each committee to write a statement for or against the advisory ballot question:
FOR |
AGAINST |
1. |
1. |
2. |
2. |
3. |
3. |