SNOHOMISH — The City Council is considering imposing a $20 car tab fee to help fix the city’s streets.
Before it makes a decision, the council is asking the public for their opinion at a meeting Tuesday.
To impose the car tab fee, the city must first create a transportation benefit district. The city may choose another option to raise revenue or could decide against asking for any increases at this time.
Options include a sales and use tax of 0.2 percent, excess property taxes for one year, and raising the car tab fee to $100.
All revenue options, with the exception of the $20 fee, require the approval of the voters.
Councilman Dean Randall hopes that people will give their reasons in favor or against any increases so the council can make a decision.
He has not made up his own mind, but he is worried about shortfalls facing the city next year.
“I am concerned we have not kept up with needed maintenance of the streets,” Randall said.
The city has only fixed potholes over the past couple of years and hasn’t taken on any major projects.
If a car tab is imposed, the city would receive $115,000 a year for maintaining its 41 miles of roads. Road repairs are normally funded by construction sales taxes, but the money has fallen to historic lows.
Like many cities around the county, Snohomish faces steep budget problems. According to preliminary numbers, the city will be a half-million dollars in the red if nothing changes by next year.
If approved, the council will meet as the committee governing the transportation benefit district an hour before their usual meeting time and date. The earliest date they could meet would be Nov. 2, City Manager Larry Bauman said.
Hearing planned
Public hearing on the Transportation Benefit District is at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the George Gilbertson Boardroom, Snohomish School District Resource Center, 1601 Ave. D.
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