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 sh...

Click here for full text