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Clerk 09/07/2004
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AN ORDINANCE establishing November 2, 2004, as the date for an advisory election on the question of which tax voters would prefer to be included in a voter-approved plan to invest in transportation improvements in King County.
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BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. State funding for improving and maintaining Puget Sound's transportation infrastructure has not kept pace with growth in the region and the demand placed upon our transportation system.
B. The Alaskan Way Viaduct, the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge and other key corridors are in danger of failing if improvements are not completed.
C. The current congestion levels across King, Pierce and Snohomish counties prevent people and goods from moving efficiently throughout the region and significantly impact the quality of life of Puget Sound residents.
D. Reducing congestion and increasing mobility in all corridors of regional significance is essential in allowing for a vital economy and sustained economic development.
E. Recognizing that public funding for improving Puget Sound's transportation problem has been inadequate, in 2002 the Washington state legislature passed legislation creating the Regional Transportation Investment District. This legislation authorized county councilmembers from King, Pierce and Snohomish counties to develop a plan for improving transportation in the Puget Sound area and present it to voters for approval. This plan would require that every dollar raised in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties be directed to projects located in the respective county. A seven-member executive board of the Regional Transportation Investment District has been working with state and local officials as well as business, labor and environmental leaders to identify projects and develop a plan for voter approval.
F. Puget Sound voters have faced two advisory ballot measures related to transportation since 1988. Voters in King County supported a measure to accelerate planning for a regional transit system in 1988. The successful measure led to the creation of the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, now referred to as Sound Transit.
G. Additionally, in 1998 voters in Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap and Thurston counties and portions of King, Mason and Pierce counties approved an advisory ballot supporting the construction of a second Narrows Bridge in Tacoma. The advisory ballot passed and the state legislature approved funding for construction of the second Narrows Bridge in 2002.
H. 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 locally funded transportation plan before the voters as an advisory ballot on November 2, 2004.
I. 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.
SECTION 2. A special election shall be held on November 2, 2004, 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 2, 2004, an advisory question regarding which tax source voters prefer to be included in a plan to improve transportation that would be placed before the voters at a future date. 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 2: The King County Council passed Ordinance concerning an advisory measure on a locally funded transportation plan. This advisory measure asks which tax source the voters in King County would prefer be used to support a transportation plan designed to relieve traffic congestion and increase safety through a mix of road and transit projects in King County. This plan would require voter approval at a future date. Which one of the following tax sources would you prefer be included in a plan to locally fund road and transit projects in King County?
-a general sales tax
-an excise tax on the value of motor vehicles
-a flat tax on motor vehicles
-an increase in the local gas tax
-a tax on total annual vehicle miles traveled
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.