EVERETT – Everett residents may vote in September whether to double Everett Transit’s portion of the sales tax.
The City Council on Wednesday night unanimously voiced its support for a referendum to increase Everett Transit’s sales tax share from 0.3 percent to 0.6 percent. If voters approve the tax increase, retail customers in Everett would pay a sales tax of 8.6 cents per dollar instead of 8.3 cents.
The council is scheduled to vote next week whether to put the measure on the September primary ballot.
Everett Transit cut service 14 percent last year, and the agency is planning further reductions in 2005 unless it gets more money.
“Our level of service has diminished to the point where it’s difficult for people to get around,” City Councilman Doug Campbel l said.
Some auto dealerships oppose a tax increase because they fear it would send more customers to Skagit County, which has sales tax rates of between 7.7 and 7.9 percent.
Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com
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