CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE related to the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD); authorizing a $40 vehicle license fee pursuant to RCW 36.73.065 and 82.80.140; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
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WHEREAS, The City of Seattle ("City") has a responsibility for the improvement, maintenance, and protection of public ways within the corporate limits of Seattle pursuant to RCW 35A.11.020 and chapter 35A.47 RCW; and
WHEREAS, chapter 36.73 RCW provides for the establishment of a transportation benefit district (TBD) by a city or county, and authorizes TBDs to levy and impose various taxes and fees to generate revenues to support transportation improvements within the TBD; and
WHEREAS, in 2010 the City Council passed Ordinance 123397, which established the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD), and although the STBD's governing board was comprised of City Councilmembers, the STBD was a legally separate entity; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, the STBD's governing board, by a majority vote, exercised its authority to impose a vehicle license fee of $20 pursuant to RCW 36.73.065 by adopting STBD Resolution 1; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, Seattle voters approved STBD Proposition 1, which imposed an additional $60 vehicle license fee pursuant to RCW 36.73.065 and resulted in a combined vehicle license fee of $80; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, the City Council passed Ordinance 125070, which absorbed the STBD, and vested the City Council with the STBD's duties and authority, including the authority to collect a $20 vehicle license fee and the voter-approved $60 vehicle license fee; and
WHEREAS, the voter-approved $60 vehicle license fee was passed in 2014 (via STBD Proposition 1) and expires on December 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.73.065 and 82.80.140, if a transportation benefit district has imposed a $20 vehicle license fee for at least 24 months, the governing board may, by majorit...
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