EVERETT — Some members of the Snohomish County Council want to tack on an admissions surcharge at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds and the Future of Flight museum.
An extra 5 percent per ticket could generate the county $400,000 per year, they say, which would be pumped back into improvements at both attractions.
The councilmen said they don’t believe a few extra cents will scare anybody away. And, they reason, the extra money could go a long way toward new buildings.
“The fairgrounds are in serious need of some repairs and upgrades,” Councilman Dave Somers said. “It’s an aging facility and there’s been a lot of deferred maintenance.”
The fairgrounds could be missing opportunities to host some events because the stadium and exhibition hall are in such bad shape, he said.
With the charge in place, the county might be able to get a $2 million bond, rather than waiting for money to trickle in, said Somers, whose district includes the Monroe fairgrounds.
He and fellow Councilman Brian Sullivan, whose district includes the flight museum, announced the proposal on Thursday. The idea could reach the full council in four to six weeks.
The proposed ordinance exempts school groups. If approved, it would take effect on July 1. State law allows counties to impose an admissions charge of up to 5 percent of a ticket price.
Tickets for the 2009 Evergreen State Fair are listed at $10 for adults and $6 for children. The tax would add 50 cents to an adult’s ticket and 30 cents to a child’s.
The 2008 fair drew 761,000 people.
The fairgrounds surcharge also would apply to every event held there during the offseason, which includes model train shows, pet shows and rodeos.
“I think with improvements at the fairgrounds we could actually increase revenue and the number of events they have out there,” Somers said.
An admissions charge would mean an extra 75 cents for adults and 40 cents for youngsters at the 3-year-old Future of Flight museum, where general admission tickets cost $15 for adults and $8 for children.
Last year, the museum saw 170,528 visitors, more than 90 percent of them from other countries, said Barry Smith, executive director of the nonprofit foundation that runs it. With people traveling such a distance, Smith didn’t think they would mind shelling out a little more change.
“It would be wonderful,” he said. “This is a good mechanism to help support the mission and the visitor experience.”
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
