Title
A MOTION expressing the intent to authorize a levy and collection of a property tax of five and one-half cents per one thousand dollars assessed value, with the first one cent for expanding transit capacity along the State Route 520, and the remainder for supporting the operation, maintenance and capital needs of the King County Metro public transportation, primarily for the implementation of RapidRide service throughout King County.
Body
WHEREAS, in 2006, Ordinance 15582 was passed by the King County council and the subsequent Transit Now proposition was approved by voters. Ordinance 15582 authorized an additional sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for public transportation program improvements over a ten-year period as outlined in Attachment A to Ordinance 15582, and
WHEREAS, from 2007-2009, the public transportation improvements described in Attachment A to Ordinance 15582 were implemented by the King County transit division ("King County Metro") according to the approved phasing plan identified in the King County Metro Strategic Plan for Public Transportation 2007-2016, adopted by Ordinance 15963, and
WHEREAS, beginning in 2008 and continuing into 2009, the local and national economic crisis led to a dramatic decline in sales tax revenue, a primary source of funding for King County Metro, and
WHEREAS, King County Metro sales tax receipts are expected to continue to decline through the 2010-2011 biennium and beyond before growth in the economy will return sales tax revenues to 2008 levels and such a decline will result in a significant gap between the cost to operate and maintain the King County Metro public transportation system, as well as grow the system as contemplated by Ordinance 15582 and the 2007-2016 Strategic Plan for Public Transportation, and
WHEREAS, in April 2009, recognizing the need for additional funding to support the operations, maintenance and capital needs of King County Metro's public transportation system...

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