Council adopts 0.1% sales-tax to fund Sumner Transportation Benefit District

The Sumner City Council on a unanimous vote approved Ordinance 2937 to fund the city's Transportation Benefit District (TBD) with a 0.1% local sales tax. The council established the TBD earlier and on Monday decided to use the state-authorized 0.1% sales-tax option to raise recurring revenue for road maintenance.

Communications Director Carmen Palmer told the council the TBD funding choice was intended to prioritize routine maintenance and preventative treatments — such as chip seal — rather than relying solely on occasional reconstruction grants. "Roads, like most things, are much cheaper and easier to keep in good shape if you keep doing routine maintenance," Palmer said. She noted the city limited the code language to the 0.1% sales-tax option because council had previously directed staff not to include higher sales-tax options or car-tab fees in the city's enabling code.

Palmer said the city chose the sales-tax approach because it spreads costs among users of Sumner's roads — including commuters and freight traffic — rather than placing the burden mainly on city residents. Council questions focused on eligible uses for the funds and whether impact fees would apply to projects. Palmer answered that TBD funds can be used for both maintenance and construction but that the council's intent in forming the district was to fund maintenance work not commonly eligible for state grants.

Several councilmembers voiced support. Councilmember Greg Elfers said the funding is "the best option" for the city at this time; Councilmember Andy Kennna emphasized the need to restore chip-seal and maintenance programs that had been reduced in prior years. Public commenters urged the council to use the funds primarily for preventative maintenance rather than as a plug for other shortfalls.

Clerk called the roll and the ordinance passed by unanimous vote. City staff estimated the measure would produce roughly $800,000–$850,000 annually under current sales patterns; staff materials presented tax-impact examples and a long-range maintenance rationale. Councilmembers said they will return to budget discussions and to prioritization of specific street segments and maintenance schedules as revenue becomes available.