Congratulations to Snohomish County Executive Bob Drewel for refusing to sign the road mitigation fee ordinance passed by the Snohomish County Council. The ordinance, as passed by the Republican dominated council, lets new development off the hook for paying its fair share of road building costs, and places the burden squarely on the backs of everyone who already lives in Snohomish County and pays property taxes.

Council Chair Gary Nelson claims to be concerned about affordable housing. How about affordable taxes for those who already live here and how about fixing our road problems? Nelson has voted every year since he has been on the council for the maximum legal increase in road fund property tax – in most years 6 percent. Two weeks ago the county council passed a 30 percent increase in road mitigation fees on new development, however these fees had not changed since 1991! Your road fund property taxes over the same period have increased on the average of 88 percent!

John Koster and Jeff Sax campaigned as “The Road Crew.” “Fix this road” signs were everywhere during the election. Why did they vote to let new development pay far less than its fair share? They voted for the increase that was acceptable to the Master Builders and Realtors. How about the citizens who elect them? How about getting new development to pay more for the traffic problems that are driving businesses like Boeing out of the county?

Every taxpayer who gets stuck in traffic just got hit with a double whammy. Every business that is suffering because of traffic also got it. Thanks again, Bob, for standing up to this unfair action by the county council.

Former member, Snohomish County Council

Monroe