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La Center approves 0.1% TBD sales tax to fund road maintenance and projects
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 2024-12 to impose a one-tenth of 1% sales and use tax for 10 years for the La Center Transportation Benefit District, projected to raise about $65,000 annually for transportation maintenance and projects; council and public debated transparency and future tax options.
The La Center City Council voted on Nov. 20, 2024, to adopt Ordinance 2024-12, imposing a 0.1% (one-tenth of 1 percent) sales and use tax within the La Center Transportation Benefit District for a period of 10 years. Staff estimated the tax would generate about $65,000 a year to support transportation projects and maintenance.
City attorney Janine Parker summarized the ordinance as the funding step following the council’s earlier action to form a TBD. “It is a 0.1% or a 0.001 of taxable retail sales within the city, and it is for a period of 10 years,” Parker said. She added the ordinance’s language is broad enough to allow both capital improvements identified in the transportation improvement plan and maintenance, and staff noted the funds could be used as grant-match money for larger road projects.
Council and staff described the local need for additional maintenance funding: the mayor and council cited a study indicating a large portion of city roads require significant repair. “You’ve got to remember at this point in time… 74% of our roads are 50% or less in disrepair,” a council member said during discussion, arguing the new revenue would help leverage grants and address long-deferred maintenance.
Members of the public raised objections. Al Fila and caller Kimberly questioned timing and outreach; Kimberly asked where business representatives were and urged more public engagement, saying she did not think the process had been sufficiently visible to local business owners. The city attorney clarified that any increase above the authorized tax rate or any extension beyond the 10-year term would require voter approval; she also noted vehicle-tab alternatives exist but are rarely used by cities and that additional fee forms would typically be put to voters if expanded.
Council moved and adopted the ordinance by roll-call vote; the levy is scheduled to be collected for 10 years unless altered by later voter approval. Staff will incorporate the TBD revenue into the roads and streets fund and align disbursement to projects identified in the transportation plan.
