Ellensburg council approves placing 0.2% transit sales tax on November ballot; contingent repeal of existing TBD tax also approved
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Summary
The Ellensburg City Council voted July 7 to place a 0.2% sales-and-use tax for Ellensburg Public Transit on the Nov. 4 ballot and to adopt a contingent repeal of the existing 0.2% Transportation Benefit District sales tax if voters approve the new measure.
The Ellensburg City Council voted July 7 to send a proposed 0.2% sales-and-use tax for Ellensburg Public Transit to the November 4 ballot and to adopt a contingent repeal of the city’s existing 0.2% Transportation Benefit District (TBD) tax if voters approve the new measure.
What the council approved: Resolution 2025‑14 places a voter‑authorized 0.2% sales tax dedicated to funding the city’s public transit service on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot. Resolution 2025‑15 directs a contingent repeal of the existing 0.2% TBD transportation sales tax if voters approve the new, city‑administered transit tax, so the tax rate to consumers would not increase if the ballot proposition passes.
Staff and legal explanation: City Manager Heidi Baron Starnway and City Attorney Chris Horner said the approach is intended to preserve transit funding while moving the revenue to the appropriate legal vehicle. Horner explained the contingent repeal is intended to synchronize repeal of the TBD tax with the voter‑approved measure to avoid double collection. If the council adopts the resolution at the next meeting, state law requires appointment of two pro/con public committees (up to three members each) to prepare official pro and con statements for the ballot materials.
Public testimony and council questions: Public commenters and some council members asked whether the proposed tax includes a sunset clause. Staff said the state statute authorizing transit sales taxes does not require a sunset; the draft measure before the council does not include one, but council retains authority to revisit or add a sunset as part of the ballot language. Staff also explained that council could appoint members to pro and con committees if the resolution is approved and that the county auditor would appoint committees if council declined to do so.
Vote and next steps: After public testimony and deliberation, the council moved, seconded and voted to adopt Resolutions 2025‑14 and 2025‑15, advancing the measure to the November ballot. The council asked staff to return with the formal ballot language and to post a public invitation for applications to serve on the pro and con committees.
