CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the Seattle Transportation Benefit District; authorizing material scope changes to City of Seattle Proposition 1 to expand uses of revenues for transit security.
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WHEREAS, City of Seattle Ordinance 123397 established the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) for preserving and maintaining transportation infrastructure; implementing elements of the Seattle Transportation Strategic Plan and other planning documents; investing in bicycle, pedestrian, freight mobility, and transit enhancements; and providing people with choices to meet their mobility needs; and
WHEREAS, Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 36.73.160 requires the STBD to adopt a policy to address material changes to a project’s cost, scope, and schedule; and
WHEREAS, in STBD Resolution 3, the Governing Board of the STBD approved a material change policy that addresses the procedures for approving changes to project cost, scope, and schedule; and
WHEREAS, in STBD Resolution 12, the Governing Board of the STBD submitted a ballot measure (“STBD Proposition 1”) to the qualified electors of the STBD to authorize up to a 0.1 percent sales and use tax, and an annual vehicle license fee of up to an additional $60 per registered vehicle with a $20 rebate for low-income individuals, for the purposes of funding King County Metro Transit service in Seattle; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2014, STBD Proposition 1 was approved by a majority of qualified electors of the STBD; and
WHEREAS, by Ordinance 125070, The City of Seattle (City) assumed the rights, powers, immunities, functions, and obligations of the STBD as authorized under RCW 36.74.030; and
WHEREAS, on June 25, 2018, by Ordinance 125606, the Seattle City Council authorized material scope changes to STBD Proposition 1, including provisions to provide transit passes to Seattle Public School students and authorizing funding for capital improvements that improve transit speed and reliability; and
WHEREAS, in Ordinance 126115, the City submitted a ballot measure (“the Seattle Transit Measure”) to the qualified electors of the City of Seattle to authorize a sales and use tax increase for the purposes of supporting transit service benefitting Seattle residents, including frequent transit network maintenance and associated capital improvements; low-income fare programs; and transportation needs related to COVID-19 recovery and the West Seattle Bridge closure; and
WHEREAS, on November 3, 2020, City of Seattle Proposition 1 (the Seattle Transit Measure) was approved by a majority of qualified electors, and its tax expires April 1, 2027; and
WHEREAS, on November 21, 2024, by Ordinance 127138, the Seattle City Council authorized material scope changes to STBD Proposition 1, including provisions to support staffing resources necessary for implementation of the Sound Transit 3 program and potential third-party funding contributions to deliver the City of Seattle’s Preferred Alternative for the West Seattle Link Extension and Ballard Link Extension projects; and
WHEREAS, on December 18, 2024, King County Metro Bus Operator Shawn Yim (Operator 21882) was murdered on duty, while operating the Route 70 through the University District; and
WHEREAS, the King County Regional Transit Safety Task Force was created to confront urgent safety challenges on transit and deliver a unified, countywide effort; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle is a stakeholder and regional partner in safety of the King County Regional Transit Safety Task Force; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle City Council wishes to improve the safety and security of the regional public transit system, and utilize Seattle Transit Measure funding to support a Chief Transit Security Officer; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Pursuant to the material change policy adopted by Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) Resolution 3, later subsumed by The City of Seattle, the scope of the project authorized by the Seattle Transit Measure is expanded to allow its revenues to fund:
A. Staffing resources and consultant services to advance and support transit safety and security efforts, including coordination with public safety jurisdictions and public transit operators, and implementing recommendations of the King County Regional Transit Safety Task Force.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Sections 1.04.020 and 1.04.070.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2025, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved / returned unsigned / vetoed this ____day of _______________, 2025.
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Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk
(Seal)