Moses Lake to put sales tax increase on November ballot

MOSES LAKE — Registered voters in Moses Lake will be seeing a proposition for a .20 percent sales tax increase on their November general election ballots.

The Moses Lake City Council passed an ordinance a few of months ago to create a Transportation Benefit District (TBD), which has the authority to impose a .20 percent sales tax, which requires a simply majority via referendum vote to be instituted, and impose an additional vehicle licensing fee. All funds collected through the increases go to fund street maintenance projects and pedestrian improvements in the city.

The board went the extra tab fee route in late February and imposed a $20 vehicle licensing fee, which the city will start collecting in October. The fee is projected to raise $333,600 in revenue annually. During the same February meeting, the board passed a resolution that stated upon approval of the sales tax measure by voters, which is projected to raise around $1.4 annually for street projects, the $20 fee will no longer be in effect and no longer be collected.

During a late May study session the council directed city staff to bring back a resolution that, if passed, would place the sales tax measure on the November general election ballot. The measure passed unanimously during Tuesday night’s council meeting. In addition, the council unanimously passed another resolution that declares the council’s support for the sales tax proposition.

“The City Council of the City of Moses Lake supports Proposition No. 1, which if it passes, will raise monies in a more equitable manner to fund costs associated with transportation improvements within the City of Moses Lake,” reads the resolution.

City Manager John Williams explained under Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) rules, the council is restricted to providing information and facts about the proposition, not whether or not it should be voted for or against.

“But it does allow for you as a body to adopt a resolution that states you do support the passage of such resolution. So it’s allowable in the rules,” Williams told the council.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.