CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE imposing a revenue measure of 0.15 percent sales and use tax for transportation purposes as authorized by Seattle voters at the November 3, 2020 election; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
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WHEREAS, the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), Chapter 36.73, provides for establishment of transportation benefit districts by cities and counties and authorizes those districts to levy and impose various taxes and fees to generate revenues to support transportation improvements that benefit the district and that are consistent with state, regional, or local transportation plans and necessitated by existing or reasonably foreseeable congestion levels; and
WHERAS, City of Seattle Ordinance 123397 created the Seattle Transportation Benefit District for preserving and maintaining transportation infrastructure; improving public safety; 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, on August 7, 2016, 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 July 31, 2020, by Ordinance 126115, the City placed Proposition 1 on the November 3, 2020 ballot authorizing a 0.15 percent sales and use tax through March 31, 2027, as a replacement for the Seattle Transportation Benefit District measure that passed in 2014 and expires on December 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on November 3, 2020, City of Seattle Proposition 1 was approved by a majority of qualified Seattle electors; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle intends to implement programs necessary to implement Proposition 1, as defined in Ordinance 126115, including purchase of King County Metro Transit services with over 65 percent of stops within Seattle; transit access for low-income residents, workers, seniors, and youth; transit infrastructure maintenance and capital improvements; and emerging mobility needs related to COVID-19 response and recovery, and closure of the West Seattle High Bridge; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A 0.15 percent sales and use tax is established, as authorized by Ordinance 126115, and consistent with RCW 36.73.040 and 36.73.065, to be collected by the Washington State Department of Revenue, as set forth in RCW 82.14.0455. This sales and use tax will expire on March 31, 2027.
Section 2. The revenues generated by this sales and use tax shall be used in accordance with the purposes set forth in Ordinance 126115.
Section 3. The Finance Director is authorized to provide any necessary notice to the Department of Revenue in order to effectuate the sales and use tax enacted by this ordinance no later than April 1, 2021, in accordance with RCW 82.14.0455 and 82.14.055, and to execute, on and behalf of The City of Seattle, any necessary agreement with the Department of Revenue for the collection and administration of the tax enacted by this ordinance.
Section 4. Any notice given or agreement executed by the Finance Director as authorized by Section 3 of this ordinance prior to the effective date of this ordinance is ratified and confirmed. Action necessary to ensure collection of this sales and use tax starting April 1, 2021, is ratified and confirmed.
Section 5. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2020, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2020.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)