Council updates municipal code to match state law on transportation benefit district fees

Dr. Ken Quarter explained proposed changes to Normandy Park Municipal Code chapter 10.64 on March 10 so the city’s code aligns with current state RCW governing Transportation Benefit Districts (TBDs). He said the existing local ordinance capped the vehicle fee at $20 but that RCW now allows higher council‑imposed fees (up to a $50 cap in increments) or a 0.1% sales tax option, subject to statutory waiting periods. The draft ordinance removes the local $20 cap so council retains the authority to act within RCW limits in the future; Dr. Quarter emphasized the change is a code cleanup and not a decision to impose new fees now.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the mechanics, whether the change would automatically secure county-shared funding, and whether an ordinance cleanup could affect timing in light of a potential King County TBD action. Staff said adopting the code correction gives the city the ability to adopt later councilmatic resolutions to exercise TBD options and, because funding allocation can be first‑come, first‑served, an up‑to‑date local ordinance could help secure share of a pooled vehicle-fee funding stream.

Council moved to waive the second reading and approve Ordinance 10-86 to align the municipal code with RCW; the motion carried by voice vote. Council did not impose any new fees at the meeting; the action only updates code language to reflect state law and preserve future options.