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Milton council hears ordinance to create traffic safety camera fund; staff to show allowable uses before adoption
Summary
Interim city staff told the Milton City Council on July 21 that a new special revenue fund is proposed to account for automated traffic-safety camera revenues because state law limits how those revenues may be used. Council members asked staff to clarify allowable uses and to publish specific examples before the ordinance returns for adoption.
Interim city staff told the Milton City Council on July 21 that the city plans to establish a special revenue fund to account for revenues and expenditures from a newly authorized automated traffic-safety camera program.
Interim Director Robec said an ordinance establishing the City’s automated traffic safety camera program was adopted in November 2023 and that state law limits how revenue from new camera programs may be spent. "Per RCW 46.63.022, revenue generated by an automated traffic safety camera program in effect after 01/01/2024 may only be used for certain program costs and specified traffic safety activities," Robec said.
Why it matters: State statute constrains allowable uses for jurisdictions that implement automated traffic-safety cameras on or after Jan. 1, 2024. Because of those legal restrictions, staff recommended creating a designated special revenue fund so camera receipts and related expenses are tracked separately rather than in the general fund.
Council discussion focused on transparency and on what counts as an allowable use. Council member Seeder asked whether the statutory definition of "complete streets" governs allowable spending; Robec replied that the RCW’s definition controls. Mayor Pro Tem Whitaker and Council member Whelan asked staff to provide clearer examples of projects — sidewalks, bike lanes, paving tied to traffic-safety features — so the public understands how camera revenues would be used.
Robec said he interprets the RCW and the agenda bill to allow spending on traffic-calming features and complete-streets work, which could include sidewalks and bike lanes, and potentially paving where sidewalks and bike lanes are installed. Several council members requested that staff list specific items in the next packet so residents can see how fines and revenues might translate to visible improvements.
Budget amendment: At the same meeting staff also presented a first-read budget-amendment ordinance that would (among other updates) transfer the camera program’s revenues and expenditures from the general fund into the new special revenue fund if the council adopts that ordinance in the future. The amendment also aligns American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) revenues with the most recent federal compliance report and lists unexpended carryforward appropriations from 2024 pursuant to RCW (citation in packet).
Next steps: Staff said both the traffic-safety camera fund ordinance and the budget-amendment ordinance will return at the council’s next regular meeting for adoption. Council members asked staff to delineate specific allowable uses in the packet that accompanies the adoption reading.
Ending: No formal adoption occurred at the July 21 meeting; staff will return with clarified allowable-use examples and the budget amendment for formal action at the next regular meeting.
