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Snohomish County staff says vehicle-fee TBD needed to protect $66.5M in grants and avoid layoffs
Summary
County public-works officials told the Snohomish County Council committee that creating a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) with a $20 annual vehicle license fee could help avert reductions to maintenance crews and protect roughly $66.5 million in awarded grants; council staff moved three related ordinances to set a public hearing for May 13, 2026.
County public-works leaders told the Snohomish County Council Public Infrastructure and Conservation Committee on April 21 that a proposed Transportation Benefit District (TBD) — starting with a $20 annual vehicle license fee — is a near-term tool to shore up road and bridge maintenance and preserve about $66.5 million in grant-funded projects.
"Transportation benefit district as proposed is a license fee. It's $20 per vehicle," said Kelly Stai, Snohomish County public works director, who presented the department's inventory of assets and shortfalls. Stai said the $20 fee would yield roughly $26,000,000, and that the county faces a combination of inflation, declining gas-tax revenue and an expanding asset base that have produced a multi-year capital shortfall.
Stai told the committee the county manages roughly 1,600 miles of roads, about 210 bridges (several with lane or weight restrictions) and about 500 miles of sidewalk. She said 14 grant-funded projects are at risk "for $66,500,000" if the county cannot demonstrate the…
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