While people struggle to pay higher fuel and food prices, local governments are mulling whether to raise taxes to pay for transit projects, new court buildings and paramedic services, among other things.
Sales and property taxes could go up by hundreds of dollars a year depending on where you live in Snohomish County.
Most two-adult households in the county face potential sales-tax increases of up to $178 a year to pay for regional transit projects and mental health and chemical dependency programs.
Potentially higher property taxes could add nearly $100 a year for the owner of the average $346,000 house, and more if a local fire district is also on the ballot.
Below are some of the key issues. Some will be decided by voters, while other tax and fee increases can be adopted by the Snohomish County Council without a public vote.
Transportation
Tax proposal: 0.5 percent sales tax increase.
Cost: Estimated $69 per year per adult.
What for? $14.7 billion in new Sound Transit buses, trains and light rail projects in urban parts of the Puget Sound area. Includes light rail to Lynnwood and transit hubs at Mukilteo and Edmonds.
Who would pay: Shoppers in the Sound Transit tax district, which follows the urban I-5 corridor, starting in 2009.
Decision: A public vote Nov. 4 or in 2010. Sound Transit Board decides July 24.
Law and justice
Tax proposal: Property tax increase of 27 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in Snohomish County.
Cost: $93.42 per year for the owner of an average $346,000 house.
What for? A $195.7 million Snohomish County justice center expansion in downtown Everett
Who would pay: Snohomish County property owners in 2009.
Decision: County Council considering a public vote in November.
Fire and ambulance services
Tax proposals: Between 17 cents and $1.50 per $1,000 of property value.
Cost: Between $59 and $519 a year for the owner of a $346,000 house.
What for? To continue or expand emergency medical services and fire operations funding in seven Snohomish County fire districts and Marysville.
Who would pay: Property owners in Marysville, fire districts 1, 3, 7, 12, 19 and 26 and the North County Fire Authority. Tax would begin in 2009.
Decision: Public vote Aug. 19.
Environment
Tax proposal: $5 per year property assessment.
What for? $1 million in Snohomish County Conservation District programs to improve the environment.
Who would pay: An estimated 202,000 property owners within the conservation district boundaries in Snohomish County and Camano Island, beginning in 2009.
Decision: The County Council is considering the proposal. No date set.
Social services
Tax proposal: 0.1 percent sales tax increase.
Cost: $6 to $20 per adult per year.
What for? Mental health and chemical dependency programs in Snohomish County.
Who would pay: Snohomish County shoppers in 2009.
Decision: Snohomish County Council is pushing to decide in coming months. No public vote expected.
Garbage
Fee proposal: Higher garbage rates.
Cost: Curbside rates might rise between 65 cents and $1.30 on an average $22 monthly bill. The minimum $17 transfer station fee might increase by $3 per trip. The cost per ton, set in 1992, would rise from $89 to $103.
What for? To cover the rising costs to operate Snohomish County’s transfer stations and haul garbage to the landfill.
Decision: The County Council and the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission are expected to review the proposed increases.
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