CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to Admission Tax revenue; amending Section 5.40.120 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, Ordinance 121006 reorganized the Seattle Arts Commission (SAC) into a new Executive department, the Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs (now called the Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS)); recreated SAC as an advisory body; set forth duties of ARTS and SAC, and the budget role of SAC; and affirmed ARTS use of 20 percent of the City's Admission Tax revenues; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 123155 increased the portion of the Admission Tax revenue directed to ARTS from 20 percent to 75 percent, and established these revenues, rather than General Fund resources, as the key source for ARTS funding; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 123155 clarified that the City Council's dedication of a portion of the City's Admission Tax revenues to arts and culture was intended to provide a "relatively stable, reliable and dedicated revenue stream to fund [ARTS] core programs"; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 125496 allocated all Admission Tax revenue to ARTS; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 125672 added payment of the City's rent adjustment obligation to Seattle Arena Company, LLC to the purposes for which Admission Tax revenue would be appropriated; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 125695 clarified that payment of the City's contractual obligations is not the only purpose for which Admission Tax revenue would be appropriated; and
WHEREAS, for simplicity of administration, depositing Admission Tax receipts where the great majority of the revenues will be spent, namely the Arts and Culture Fund, would be best;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 5.40.120 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125695, is amended as follows:
5.40.120 Receipts to ((General)) Arts and Culture Fund
A. Beginning January 1, ((2018)) 2022, all receipts from the admission tax lev...
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