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Subjects › Governance › Special Purpose Districts › Transportation Benefit Districts
Updated 04/2012

Transportation Benefit Districts

Contents

Introduction

This page provides information on Transportation Benefit Districts (Transportation Benefit District) created in Washington State. It includes links to legislation, a quick table view of jurisdictions that have created districts, and sample documents. An attempt is being made to list all districts as they are being formed. If your jurisdiction is not listed, please contact MRSC.

About Transportation Benefit Districts

Transportation benefit districts (Transportation Benefit Districts) are quasi-municipal corporations with independent taxing authority, including the authority to impose property taxes and impact fees for transportation purposes. RCW 36.73.020 governs formation by counties, and RCW 35.21.225 governs formation by cities.

In 1987, the Legislature created Transportation Benefit Districts as an option for local governments to fund transportation improvements.1 In 2005, the Legislature amended the Transportation Benefit District statute to expand its uses and revenue authority. In 2007, the Legislature amended the Transportation Benefit District statute to authorize the imposition of vehicle fees and transportation impact fees without a public vote. In 2010, the Legislature amended the Transportation Benefit District statute again to clarify project eligibility, the use of impact fees, and sales tax expenditures, and make Transportation Benefit District governance more flexible. For an overview, see the following items:

Transportation Benefit District Legislation

Quick View of Jurisdictions with Transportation Benefit Districts

Jurisdictions are listed in the table below by the year the transportation benefit district was created. The funding source is noted as vehicle license fees or sales tax. The date the funding was first collected is noted in parenthesis. The name of each jurisdiction is linked to related documents and websites listed in the next section.

Jurisdiction Vehicle License Fee Sales Tax
Transportation Benefit Districts Passed in 2012
Royal City
Toppenish
Waitsburg
Yakima
Transportation Benefit Districts Passed in 2011
Auburn
Ferndale $0.002 sales tax (passed, election 02/14/2012)
Grandview $20 (02/01/2012)
Mabton $20 (12/01/2011)
Mountlake Terrace $20 (passed 12/05/2011, effective 08/01/12)
North Bend $0.002 sales tax (passed, election 11/08/2011)
Orting
Snohomish County $0.002 sales tax (passed 08/16/2011)
Spokane $20 (09/01/2011)
Walla Walla $0.002 sales tax (passed, election 02/14/2012)
Wenatchee $20 (passed 01/26/2012, effective 08/01/12)
Zillah $20 (passed 12/19/2011, effective 7/12/2012)
Transportation Benefit Districts Passed in 2010
Bellingham $0.002 sales tax on car dealers and leasing companies (04/01/2011)
King County
Leavenworth $0.002 sales tax (04/01/2011)
Lynnwood $20 (07/01/2011)
Seattle $20 (05/01/2011)
Snohomish $0.002 sales tax (01/01/2012)
Snoqualmie $20 (03/01/2011)
Transportation Benefit Districts Passed in 2009
Bremerton $20 (12/07/2011 passed, effective 01/01/12)
Burien $10 (02/01/2010)
Prosser $20 (11/01/2009)
Shoreline $20 (02/01/2010)
University Place
Transportation Benefit Districts Passed in 2008
Des Moines $20 (09/01/2009)
Edmonds $20 (09/01/2009)
Lake Forest Park $20 (09/01/2009)
Olympia $20 (10/01/2009)
Ridgefield $0.002 sales tax (04/01/2009)
Sequim $0.002 sales tax (04/01/2010)
Transportation Benefit Districts Passed Prior to 2008
Liberty Lake (2002)
Point Roberts, Whatcom County (1992) Special gas tax $0.01/gallon (1992)

List of Transportation Benefit Districts, Including Proposals

  • Auburn Transportation Benefit District
  • Bellingham Transportation Benefit District - Funded by $0.002 sales tax
    • Bellingham Ordinance No. 2010-07-240 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes a Transportation Benefit District; specifying that the boundaries of the district will coincide with city boundaries; and specifying the transportation improvements to be funded by the district, passed 07/2010
    • Bellingham Transportation Benefit District No. 1 Resolution No. 2010-1 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Concerning a sales and use tax to fund transportation improvements - Proposition No. 1 (11/2010 ballot)
  • Bremerton Transportation Benefit District - Funded by vehicle license Fee
    • Bremerton Ordinance No. 5076 (Adobe Acrobat Document), passed 02/04/2009
    • Proposal to impose an annual $30.00 vehicle fee to finance transportation improvements for a period of three years was voted down in November 2009 general election.
    • Bremerton Resolution No. 005 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Authorizes a $20 vehicle license fee, passed 12/07/2011
  • Burien Transportation Benefit District - Funded by vehicle license Fee
    • Burien Ordinance No. 516 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Creates district and provides for election to pass a $30 vehicle license fee, passed 07/20/2009
    • Vehicle license fee of $30 voted down at November 2009 election.
    • Vehicle license fee of $10
  • Covington Transportation Benefit District - Proposed
  • Des Moines Transportation Benefit District - Funded by vehicle license fee
  • Edmonds Transportation Benefit District - Funded by vehicle license fee
  • Ferndale Transportation Benefit District - Funded by 0.002% Sales Tax, passed 02/14/2012
  • Grandview Transportation Benefit District
  • King County Transportation Benefit District - Funded by vehicle license fee
    • King County Ordinance No. 16742 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Created a Transportation Benefit District in unincorporated King County, passed 01/04/2010
    • Documents relating to formation of King County Transportation Benefit District
  • Lake Forest Park Transportation Benefit District - Funded by vehicle license fee
  • Leavenworth Transportation Benefit District - Funded by $0.002 sales tax
  • Liberty Lake Transportation Benefit District
  • Lynnwood Transportation Benefit District - Funded by vehicle license fee
    • Lynnwood Ordinance No. 2837 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes a Transportation Benefit District, passed 05/2010
  • Mabton Transportation Benefit District - Vehicle license fee
    • Mabton Ordinance No. 954 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes a Transportation Benefit District; adds Ch. 3.30 to the Mabton City Code, passed 12/23/2010
    • Mabton Ordinance No. 955 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Imposes a $20 vehicle licensing fee, passed 01/11/2011
  • Mountlake Terrace Transportation Benefit District - Funded by vehicle license fee
    • Mountlake Terrace Ordinance No. 2584 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes a Transportation Benefit District, adds Ch. 3.85 to the Mountlake Terrace Municipal Code, passed 12/05/2011
    • Mountlake Terrace Transportation Benefit District Ordinance No. 1 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Authorizes a $20 vehicle license fee, passed 01/03/2012
  • North Bend Transportation Benefit District No. 1 - Created July 19, 2011 - Proposition to voters to increase sales tax two tenths of one percent (0.002) in the November 2011 General Election. Measure passed: Yes 60.53%, No 39.47%
  • Olympia Transportation Benefit District - Funded by vehicle license fee
  • Orting Transporation Benefit District
    • Orting Ordinance No. 920 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes the Orting Transportation Benefit District, passed 11/30/2011
  • Point Roberts (Whatcom County) Transportation Benefit District - Funded by $0.01 gas tax available to border towns
    • Whatcom County Resolution No. 91-036(Adobe Acrobat Document) - Sets hearing on proposed Point Roberts Transportation Benefit District, passed 06/11/1991
    • Whatcom County Ordinance No. 91-043 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Creates Point Roberts Transportation Benefit District, passed 07/09/1991
    • Whatcom County Resolution No. 91-059 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Proposition to voters to impose gas tax on the retail sale of fuel within the Point Roberts Transportation Benefit District, passed 08/13/1991
    • Whatcom County Resolution No. 92-002 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Adopts gas tax on the retail sale of fuel within the Point Roberts Transportation Benefit District, passed 01/07/1992
    • Whatcom County Resolution No. 92-013(Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes bylaws for governing body of the Point Roberts Transportation Benefit District, passed 01/28/1992
  • Prosser Transportation Benefit District - Funded by vehicle license fee
    • Prosser Municipal Code Ch. 3.90, passed 01/20/2009 - Transportation Benefit District
  • Ridgefield Transportation Benefit District - Funded by $0.002 sales tax
  • Royal City Transportation Benefit District
    • Royal City Municipal Code Ch. 3.30 - Royal City Transportation Benefit District (Ordinance No. 12-02, passed 03/06/2012)
  • Seattle Transportation Benefit District - Funded by vehicle license fee
    • Seattle Ordinance No. 123397 - Creates a Transportation Benefit District, passed 09/2010
    • Seattle Transportation Benefit District Resolution No. 1 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Authorizing a $20 vehicle license fee pursuant to RCW 36.73.065
    • Proposition No. 1, a measure to authorize a $60 increase in the Vehicle License Fee beginning in 2012, at the November 2011 General Election. Measure failed: Yes 43.88%, No 56.12%
  • Sequim Transportation Benefit District - Funded by $0.002 sales tax
    • Sequim Municipal Code Ch. 2.70 - Transportation Benefit District
    • Proposition 1 (Adobe Acrobat Document), the sales and use tax levy for the Transportation Benefit District did not pass, 11/05/2008 (49.08% Yes/50.92% No)
    • Sequim Transportation Benefit District Resolution No. 2009-10 (Adobe Acrobat Document), passed 07/2009 - Sales and use tax levy proposition
  • Shoreline Transportation Benefit District - Funded by vehicle license fee
  • Snohomish Transportation Benefit District - Includes documents
    • Snohomish Municipal Code Ch. 12.52 - Transportation Benefit District (Ordinance No.2197, passed 09/2010)
  • Snohomish County Transportation Benefit District - Funded by $0.002 sales tax
    • Snohomish Ordinance No. 10-103 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes a Transportation Benefit District, passed 07/13/2011
  • Snoqualmie Transportation Benefit District - Funded by vehicle license fee
    • Snoqualmie News Release, 06/15/2010
    • Snoqualmie Ordinance No. 1061 (Adobe Acrobat Document), passed 06/14/2010
    • Snoqualmie Agenda(Adobe Acrobat Document) for meeting of August 9, 2010 and Transportation Benefit District Draft Agenda Bills: AB 10-001 Adobe Acrobat Document) - Resolution No. 001, approving Charter; AB 10-002 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Resolution No. 002, approving bylaws; AB 10-003 (Adobe Acrobat Document) setting a hearing date on $20 license fee; AB 10-004 (Adobe Acrobat Document) setting a hearing date on Transportation Benefit District projects; AB 10-005 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Resolution No. 003, adopting the $20 license fee; AB-10-006 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Resolution No. 04, approving interlocal agreement between Transportation Benefit District and the Washington State Department of Licensing; AB 10-007 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Resolution No. 005, approving certain transportation improvement projects; AB 10-008 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Resolution No. 006, approving interlocal agreement between Transportation Benefit District and city, for city to provide staff support; AB 10-009 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Resolution 007, approving a material change policy; and AB 10-010 (Adobe Acrobat Document), approving appendix No. 88-10 of interlocal agreement creating the Washington Cities Insurance Authority wherein Transportation Benefit District agrees to be bound by that agreement.
  • Spokane Transportation Benefit District
    • Spokane Municipal Code Ch. 08.16 - Transportation Benefit District
  • Spokane County Regional Transportation Benefit District (Proposed)
  • Toppenish Transportation Benefit District
    • Toppenish Ordinance No. 2012-2 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes a Transportation Benefit District, passed 03/26/2012
  • University Place Transportation Benefit District
    • University Place Ordinance No. 562 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes a Transportation Benefit District, passed 12/07/2009
  • Waitsburg Transportation Benefit District
    • Waitsburg Ordinance No. 2012-994 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes a Transportation Benefit District, passed 02/15/2012
    • Waitsburg Transportation Benefit District Resolution No. 2012-593 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Calls for election April 17, 2012 to authorize a sales and use tax of 0.001%, passed 02/15/2012
  • Walla Walla Transportation Benefit District - Funded by 0.002% Sales Tax
    • Walla Walla Ordinance No. 2011-19 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes a Transportation Benefit District, passed 11/02/2011
    • Walla Walla Transportation Benefit District Resolution No. 2011-04 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Calls for a special election and provids a ballot proposition to be submitted to the qualified electors of the district on February 14, 2012 to authorize a sales and use tax of 0.02% for a period of 10 years, passed 12/04/2011
  • Wenatchee Transportation Benefit District - Includes bylaws, ordinances and resolutions - Funded by vehicle license fee
  • Woodland Transportation Benefit District - Proposed ordinance tabled by the city council until January 2012
  • Yakima Transportation Benefit District
    • Yakima Ordinance No. 2012-12 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes a Transportation Benefit District, passed 03/20/2012 - Replaces Ordinance No. 2012-08
    • Yakima Ordinance No. 2012-08 - Establishes a Transportation Benefit District, passed 02/07/2012
    • Yakima Notice of Public Hearing (Adobe Acrobat Document), 02/07/2012 - Creation of Transportation Benefit District
    • Yakima County conducted an advisory vote November 2007; based on the vote, the county did not form the Transportation Benefit District
  • Zillah Transportation Benefit District
    • Zillah Ordinance No. 1282 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes a Transportation Benefit District, passed 11/07/2011

1. Historical Note: Prior to the 2007 legislation, only three Transportation Benefit Districts had been formed - Fords Prairie (Centralia and Lewis County) in 1993, Point Roberts (Whatcom County) in 1992, and Liberty Lake in Spokane County in 2002. Fords Prairie was dissolved after two attempts to obtain voter approval of the funding package. Funding was approved by the majority of the voters, but the requirement of a three-fifths majority was not met. See history in Transportation Benefit Districts Analysis and Report (Adobe Acrobat Document), Washington State Department of Transportation, 1998, and Centralia Transportation Benefit District Ordinances (Adobe Acrobat Document).