Public Facilities Districts (PFDs)
Contents
Introduction
This page provides information on the formation and operation of Public Facilities Districts. The existing districts are listed by county. For historical information on this topic, see the Bellingham Public Facilities District's document, Public Facilities Districts Statewide History. In December 2011 the Greater Wenatchee PFD was unable to refinance short-term bonds issued in 2008 and it defaulted on its obligation. Legislation was passed during the 2012 session to allow an anchor Public Facilities District that has defaulted on debt to impose a councilmanic sales tax of two-tenths of 1 percent for the purpose of refinancing the debt in addition to any sales tax imposed by the PFD. See summary of the 2012 legislation below.
About Public Facilities Districts
Public facilities districts (PFDs) are municipal corporations with independent taxing authority and are taxing districts under the state constitution. There are two enabling statutes, Ch. 36.100 RCW for counties and Ch. 35.57 RCW for cities, towns, and contiguous groups of cities and towns. A PFD may charge fees for the use of its facilities, levy an admissions tax not exceeding 5 percent, and impose a vehicle parking tax not exceeding 10 percent. In addition to these revenue sources, state law allows PFDs to impose two different types of sales and use taxes. Public facilities districts may impose a local sales and use tax of up to 0.033 percent to finance regional centers and with voter approval, PFDs may also impose a local sales and use tax up to 0.2 percent to finance, design, construct, remodel, maintain, or operate public facilities. For additional discussion see, City and County Options for Creative Financing: PFDs, PDAs and 501(c)(3)s (
), Preston Gates Ellis,Washington Economic Development Association’s Spring Conference, April 15-16, 2003
In 2009 SHB 1692, Laws of 2009, ch. 167 (), was passed which requires a public facilities district to identify, in its annual budget, proposed expenditures for promotional activities and to adopt rules governing promotional hosting.
The Laws of 2012, Ch. 4 SB 5984,effective March 1, 2012, amends chapter 35.57 RCW. SB 5984 was introduced in response to the Wenatchee Public Facilities District bond default. It would require an independent financial feasibility review to be performed prior to any of the following events: the formation of a public facilities district, the issuance of any indebtedness by a public facilities district, or the long-term lease, purchase, or development of a facility. See Legislative Summary in House Bill Report 5984 ().
Adams | Asotin | Benton | Chelan | Clallam | Clark | Columbia | Cowlitz | Douglas | Ferry | Franklin | Garfield | Grant | Grays Harbor | Island | Jefferson | King | Kitsap | Kittitas | Klickitat | Lewis | Lincoln | Mason | Okanogan | Pacific | Pend Oreille | Pierce | San Juan | Skagit | Skamania | Snohomish | Spokane | Stevens | Thurston | Wahkiakum | Walla Walla | Whatcom | Whitman | Yakima
Kennewick Public Facilities District
Three Rivers Convention Center and Coliseum
- Kennewick Ordinance No. 3966 () - Creates the Kennewick Public Facilities District, passed 12/2000
- Kennewick Resolution No. 01-10 () - Appoints a board of directors to the Kennewick Public Facilities District, passed 03/2001
Richland Facilities District
- Richland Ordinance No. 18-02 () - Creates the Richland Facilities District to acquire, construct, operate, and/or finance a regional center in Richland, including any related parking facilities, passed 07/2002
- Charter of the Richland Public Facilities District ()
- Bylaws of the Richland Public Facilities District ()
- Public Facilities District Board
- The Reach - A project of the Richland Public Facilities District. The facility features exhibitions and programs that celebrate the region's history and culture.
Greater Wenatchee Public Facilities District
See Legislative Summary of Laws of 2012, ch. 4 (SB 5984) in House Bill Report 5984 () regarding the Greater Wenatchee Public Facilities District December 31, 2011 bond default. Pursuant to the legislation, Proposition 1 is before the district's voters on the April 17, 2012 special election: Greater Wenatchee Regional Events Center Public Facilities District Sales and Use Tax For Public Facilities District. The Board of Directors of the Greater Wenatchee Regional Events Center Public Facilities District adopted Resolution No. 2012-02, concerning a proposition to finance the Greater Wenatchee Regional Events Center. This proposition would authorize the District to impose a sales and use tax equal to one-tenth of one percent (0.1%), for support of the operations of the Greater Wenatchee Regional Events Center and to refinance existing debt, all as provided in Resolution No. 2012-02. This sales and use tax must terminate one year after such refinancing debt is repaid. Should this proposition be approved?
The Greater Wenatchee Public Facilities District was formed via an Interlocal Agreement between Chelan and Douglas Counties, the Cities of Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Chelan, Cashmere, Entiat, and Rock Island, and the Town of Waterville.
Clark County Public Facilities District - Created by Ordinance 2002-07-21 () on 07/30/2002. The PFD was formed for the purpose of participating in the study, planning, and development of two regional centers in Clark County: the Vancouver Convention Center and the Exhibition Hall at the Fairgrounds.
Vancouver Public Facilities District
- Vancouver Conference Center and Hotel
- Vancouver Ordinance No. M-3461 () - Creates the Vancouver Public Facilities District under Ch. 35.57 RCW. Charter of the Vancouver Public Facilities District attached as Exhibit "A," passed 10/1999
- Vancouver Ordinance No. M-3541 () - Approves changes on the Public Facility District Amended Charter attached as Exhibit "A," passed 03/2001
- Vancouver Resolution No. M-3251 () - Appoints board of directors, passed 11/1999
- Vancouver Ordinance No. M-3461 (
Cowlitz County Public Facilities District
- Cowlitz County Resolution 99-240 () - Creates the Cowlitz County Public Facilities District, passed 12/1999
- Expo Center - A multi-purpose facility, used for a broad spectrum of events
Pasco Public Facilities District
Part of the regional Three Rivers Convention Center and Coliseum
Grays Harbor Public Facilities District
Kent Special Events Center Public Facilities District
- ShoWare Center
- Kent Ordinance No. 3852 () - Creates the Kent Special Events Center Public Facilities District - File includes interlocal agreement and bylaws of PFD, passed 08/2007
- Kent's ShoWare Center Loses $1 Million, but Officials Remain Hopeful, Seattle Times, March 10, 2012
- Kent Ordinance No. 3852 (
Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District
- Safeco Field
- King County Code Ch. 2.38 (
) - Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District
- King County Code Ch. 2.38 (
Kitsap Public Facilities District
- Kitsap Public Facilities District
- Kitsap County Resolution No. 093-2000 () - Creates a public facilities district and provides for the appointment of members to the district, passed 05/2000
- Kitsap County Resolution No. 139-2000 () - Establishes the terms and duties of the Kitsap County Public Facilities District board of directors, 07/2000
- Kitsap Conference Center - The Conference Center and parking garage below it were initially funded by a partnership of the City of Bremerton, Kitsap County and the Kitsap Public Facilities District. Subsequent public/private development partnerships added the many other elements to the Harborside Plaza complex.
Lewis County Public Facilities District
- Lewis County Resolution No. 07-247 (), passed 08/2007
- Laws of 2007, ch. 48 (HB 3151) () and House Bill Report 3151 () - Extended commencement-of-construction date for a sales and use tax for public facilities districts in national disaster counties.
- Lewis County Event Center and Sports Complex - A joint partnership between the City of Centralia, Lewis County Public Facilities District, and the Centralia School District
- Lewis County Lewis County Event Center and Sports Complex LLC Umbrella Agreement (), 03/2010 - Agreement with the Lewis County Public Facilities District, Centralia School District, and Lewis County Event Center and Sports Complex LLC to construct and operate a new multi-use regional multi-million dollar facility in historic Fort Borst Park and on adjacent Centralia School District land. This project will channel economic development benefits in many ways for Centralia and all of Lewis County. It will bring new tournaments for baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball, and other special events to the city. This influx of tournaments and visitors will then provide additional income for restaurants, retail establishments, and overnight facilities.
Greater Tacoma Regional Convention Center Public Facilities District
- Greater Tacoma Regional Convention and Trade Center
- Tacoma Substitute Resolution No. 34548 () - Creates Greater Tacoma Regional Convention Center Public Facilities District by Interlocal Agreement, passed 10/1999
- Charter of Greater Tacoma Regional Convention Center Public Facilities District ()
- Bylaws of Greater Tacoma Regional Convention Center Public Facilities District ()
- Tacoma Resolution 34561 () - Authorizes the city to enter into agreement with the Greater Tacoma Regional Convention Center Public Facilities Districts for design, development construction, and operation of the convention center, passed 10/1999
- Interlocal Operating Agreement between the Greater Tacoma Regional Convention Center Public Facilities District and the City of Tacoma (), dated 11/01/1999
- Fife Resolution No. 673 () - Authorizes the mayor to enter an interlocal agreement with the city of Tacoma, University Place, and Lakewood for the creation of a Tacoma Convention Center Public Facilities District, passed 1999
- Pierce County Resolution No. R2002-85 () - Authorizes an agreement to form and operate a public facilities district with the cities of Tacoma, Fife, Lakewood, and University Place to construct and operate a Regional Convention Center (agreement attached), passed 05/2002
Skagit County Regional Public Facilities District
- McIntyre Hall Performing Arts and Conference Center
- Skagit County Resolution No. 18364 () - Forms the Skagit County Regional Public Facilities District, passed 08/2001
- Skagit County Resolution No. 20020048 () - Amends the charter of the Skagit County Regional Public Facilities District, passed 02/2002
- Anacortes Resolution No. 1573 - Authorizes an interlocal agreement regarding financing, development, and operation of a regional center facility, passed 09/2001 (Available through MRSC Library Loan)
Snohomish County Public Facilities District
- Snohomish County Public Facilities District
- Snohomish County Amended Ordinance No. 01-041 () - Creates the Snohomish County Public Facilities District, passed 06/2001
- Charter of the Snohomish County Public Facilities District ()
- Bylaws of the Snohomish County Public Facilities District ()
Edmonds Public Facilities District
- Edmonds Center for the Arts
- Edmonds Ordinance No. 3358 () - Creates a Public Facilities District, passed 04/2001
- Edmonds Ordinance No. 3361 () - Grants a charter to the Edmonds Public Facilities District, passed 05/2001
- Charter of Edmonds Public Facilities District
Everett Public Facilities District
South Snohomish County Public Facilities District
- Lynnwood Ordinance No. 2266 () - Creates a public facilities district pursuant to Ch. 35.57 RCW including the authority to acquire, construct, own, finance, and operate a regional center, passed 08/1999
- Bylaws of South Snohomish County Public Facilities District (), 01/2000
- Lynnwood Convention Center
Spokane Public Facilities District
- Spokane Public Facilities District
- Spokane County Resolution No. 89-1034 () - Creates a public facilities district under Ch. 36.100 RCW within the county, contingent upon the City of Spokane adopting a similar resolution, passed 09/1989
- Spokane Resolution No. 89-68 () - Creates a public facilities district under Ch. 36.100 RCW with boundaries co-extensive with Spokane County, passed 09/1989
- Spokane Boards & Commissions Public Facilities District
- Spokane Convention Center - Spokane Performing Arts Center
- Center Place at Mirabeau Point Park, Spokane Valley - Project of city of Spokane Valley, Spokane County, and Spokane Public Facilities District (Regional event center)
Capitol Area Regional Public Facilities District
This district encompasses Olympia, Lacey, and Thurston County in a Joint Public Facilities District.
- Olympia Ordinance No. 6194 () - Adopts an interlocal agreement regarding the creation of a public facilities district for a regional center, with attached Charter; and adopts a Charter of the Olympia Public Facilities District and the Charter of the Capitol Area Regional Public Facilities District, passed 06/2002
Lacey
- Lacey Ordinance No. 1183 () - Adopts an interlocal agreement for creation of a public facilities district for a regional center and charter of a Lacey Public Facilities district, passed 07/2002. File includes Lacy Ordinance No. 1196 amending Ordinance No. 1183 dated 12/19/2002
- Lacey-Thurston County Regional Athletic Complex
- Sports Complex Memorandum of Understanding () between Thurston County and the city of Lacey Regional Sports Complex joint purchase, ownership, use and maintenance, 1999
- Sports Complex Memorandum of Understanding (
Olympia Public Facilities District
- Olympia Ordinance No. 6194 () - Adopts an interlocal agreement regarding the creation of a public facilities district for a regional center, with attached Charter; and adopts a Charter of the Olympia Public Facilities District and the Charter of the Capitol Area Regional Public Facilities District, passed 06/2002
Walla Walla County Public Facilities District
- Walla Walla County Unnumbered Resolution - Creates the Walla Walla County Public Facilities District, passed 07/2003
Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District
- Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District Website
- Whatcom County Ordinance No. 2002-041 () - Creates a joint public facilities district known as the Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District to undertake the design, construction, operation, promotion, and financing of a regional center and/or related parking or other related facilities, passed 07/2002
- Bellingham Ordinance No. 2002-02-015 - Creates the Bellingham Public Facilities District, passed 03/2002
- Interlocal Agreement () to include all Whatcom County cities and towns in District, Contract No. 2002070261, dated 10/2007
Yakima Regional Public Facilities District
This district encompasses the cities of Yakima, Selah, and Union Gap.
- Yakima Convention Center - The District was established to lease and operate the Yakima Convention Center
- Yakima Ordinance No. 2001-28 - Approved formation of regional public facilities district, passed 06/2001
- Yakima Ordinance 2002-36 () -Creates a public facilities district revenue fund, passed 06/2002
- Yakima Resolution No. R-2001-102 () - Authorizes execution of design development, construction, financing, and operations agreement, and authorizing execution of lease of convention center to the public facilities district, passed 06/2002
Related MRSC Resources
MRSC Index – Public facilities district (PFD), (Ch. 35.57 and Ch. 36.100 RCW)