Monroe City Council supports Transportation Benefit District ballot proposition
CITY OF MONROE NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Jakeh Roberts, Public Works Director, jroberts@monroewa.gov, 360-863-4502
MONROE, Wash. – At its Oct. 10 meeting, the Monroe City Council held a public hearing on a resolution of support for Transportation Benefit District (TBD) Proposition No. 1 to receive comments in favor of and opposition to the sales tax renewal that will appear on the Nov. 7 General Election Ballot. Following the hearing, the Council unanimously approved Resolution 2023-014 in support of Proposition No. 1. Monroe’s TBD is an independent taxing district, allowed by State law, that can raise revenue for specific transportation projects. In 2014, Monroe voters approved a 0.2% local sales tax increase that funds Monroe’s TBD for 10 years, unless renewed by voters.
“The costs to meet Monroe’s transportation improvement needs far exceed available funding,” notes Mayor Geoffrey Thomas. “TBD funds can help fill this gap by contributing approximately $1.5 million in revenue each year.”
On June 6, 2023, the Monroe TBD passed Resolution No. 2023-001, placing Proposition No. 1, a request to renew the current 0.2% sales and use tax collection to fund Monroe transportation projects, on the November 2023 General Election ballot.
For every $10 spent in Monroe, two cents of sales tax support roadway rehabilitation and reconstruction (e.g. paving, crack sealing) and sidewalk repair and installation to meet federal accessibility standards. Additionally, TBD funds support pothole repair, city-wide striping and pavement markings, and a pavement management tool that tracks road conditions.
To learn more about Monroe’s TBD and Proposition No. 1, go to MonroeWA.gov.