City Looks At Sales Tax For Roads

WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg City Council is starting to get documents prepared for the process of taking the idea of a transportation benefit district to the ballot.

City Clerk Randy Hinchliffe said there is less and less money for roads and a transportation benefi t district, if approved by the voters, would give the council the ability to collect a small percentage of sales tax to raise money for street improvements.

The other option would be for the council to pass a $20 car tab fee, but the council members did not support that idea.

If voters agree to establish the transportation benefi t district, two-tenths of a percent of sales tax will go into a street fund. Currently, the city collects a small amount of sales tax that benefits public safety and infuses the fund with about $14,000 a year, Hinchliffe said.

Councilman Marty Dunn said he liked the sales tax collection idea because it would apply to visitors and residents, all of whom use the city streets. The election for the district could be held during the city's annual election, Hinchliffe said. And if the sales tax is increased the two-tenths of a percent, it will still be lower than Walla Walla's, he said.

Before the election, the city will need to hold a public hearing on the creation of the district and the city will need to demonstrate a need to improve city streets.

Dunn said the city should start preparing paperwork and for the public hearing and just see what happens.

"It probably won't make a lot of money, but it will be an easier pill to swallow (than the car tab fee)," Dunn said.