Everett transit tax hike will go to voters

EVERETT – Voters will decide Sept. 14 whether to double the sales tax that supports Everett Transit.

The City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to put a referendum on the primary election ballot to increase the agency’s share of the sales tax from 0.3 percent to 0.6 percent. If voters approve the measure, retail customers in Everett would pay a tax of 8.6 cents per dollar, up from 8.3 cents.

Councilman Mark Olson said a tax increase is the only way to expand service to accommodate the thousands of new residents and jobs that Everett expects in the future.

Everett Transit cut bus service 14 percent in 2003, and will have to trim 9 percent more in 2005 unless the referendum passes, agency director Paul Kaftanski said.

Councilman Doug Campbell said when he was elected to the council in 1991, residents praised Everett Transit.

Lately, though, “I’ve heard all types of negative comments from riders who used to be happy with the service but no longer are,” he said.

Kaftanski said many bus riders don’t have a car and have no other way to get around. Nearly two-thirds of riders have a household income of less than $20,000 a year, he said.

Councilwoman Brenda Stonecipher said if bus service were more convenient, more people with cars would ride buses. That would reduce the increasing gridlock on area roads, she said.

Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.