Sumner staff to pursue citywide transportation benefit district; council backs 0.1% sales-tax option as a first step

City staff told the Sumner City Council they will begin steps to form a citywide Transportation Benefit District (TBD) and recommended a 0.1% sales tax as an initial funding mechanism that the council could adopt without a public vote.

Communications Director Carmen Palmer and Public Works staff summarized pavement-condition maps, funding gaps and the TBD options. “The staff recommendation is that you pursue looking at forming a transportation benefit district for all of Sumner, not just a portion. We recommend the 0.1% sales tax option that is available with a council vote. That would generate an estimated 800 to $850,000 per year,” Palmer said.

Why it matters: staff showed that approximately 10% of the city’s roadways currently require maintenance or full reconstruction (the presentation identified those segments in yellow and red on a road-condition map). Staff estimated a 15‑year preservation budget need of about $13.7 million and said the proposed 0.1% TBD over 15 years would yield roughly $12.75 million. Council members and staff noted that the city’s current annual road budget is about $400,000 and sidewalk tree‑repair funding is budgeted at $250,000 per year.

Program details and trade-offs: staff explained the TBD sales-tax option is regressive by design because it is not based on income, but that vehicle fees are also regressive. The presentation noted the state does not permit an income-based local option. Staff also said the TBD revenue can be used for construction, maintenance and operations, and that pursuing a roundabout earlier in the meeting could improve grant competitiveness for construction funding on projects such as the Tacoma–Puyallup intersection.

Council feedback and direction: several council members expressed support for a modest initial 0.1% TBD as a “baby step,” while others emphasized the importance of clear public messaging about how the funds would be used and the long‑term consequences of underfunding roads. Council members asked about the maximum levy rate available without a public vote, and staff replied that the council can set up to 0.1% by council action and can go up to 0.3% only by voter approval.

Next steps and timing: staff said formation of a TBD involves three steps—forming the district, assuming the powers of the district (recommended), then adopting an ordinance to fund the TBD—and that they will return with implementation materials. Council directed staff to begin the steps outlined in the presentation and to bring the TBD back for scheduling and ordinances within roughly 45–60 days. No formal vote was recorded during the study session.