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Pasco council adopts 0.1% sales tax to fund road maintenance, 5–2 vote
Summary
The Pasco City Council adopted Ordinance 4843 to add a 0.1% sales and use tax for a Transportation Benefit District, projected to raise about $2.3 million for pavement preservation; the measure passed 5–2 after council debate about timing and regressive impact. Earliest implementation would be January 2027.
The Pasco City Council voted 5–2 to adopt Ordinance 4843, imposing an additional 0.1% sales and use tax within the city’s Transportation Benefit District to fund road preservation and other transportation projects.
Deputy City Manager Miss Signal explained the council’s options and two revenue paths: a vehicle license fee (city-imposed, estimated to generate about $1.3 million) or a sales-tax increment (a 0.1% increase that staff projected would yield roughly $2.3 million). She emphasized that Transportation Benefit District revenues are restricted to transportation-related capital and maintenance projects and audited for proper use.
Council members debating the ordinance cited staff findings that the city’s paved lane miles have grown about 43% since 2010 while the street crew size has not increased, driving a maintenance funding gap. Supporters said the dedicated revenue would prevent deferred-maintenance costs from ballooning into much larger reconstruction expenses; opponents said the sales tax is regressive and poorly timed for residents facing higher living costs.
A motion to adopt Ordinance 4843 passed on roll call: Hernandez — yes; Pales — no; Compos — yes; Kata — yes; Figura — yes; Mil — yes; Grim — no (result 5–2). The ordinance language (as moved on the floor) adds a new section to the Pasco Municipal Code imposing the tax under RCW 36.73.065 and RCW 82.14.0455. Staff said the earliest the tax could take effect is January 2027.
Supporters emphasized the ability to leverage grants with a steady local match and the high cost of delaying pavement preservation; opponents called for alternatives, questioned whether restricted or restricted-but-scarce grant programs could be used, and noted the economic stress on residents.
The council also discussed the vehicle license fee as an alternative funding approach and asked staff to continue pursuing grant opportunities. The measure passed and will move forward under the Transportation Benefit District’s implementation schedule.
