County staff recommend phased vehicle-registration fee; ordinance scheduled for August readings

County staff presented the Resilient Transportation Funding Options project to the coordinating committee on June 23, outlining outreach, evaluation and two phasing scenarios for a proposed countywide vehicle registration fee increase intended to provide stable capital funding for transportation projects.

Jessica, the county project lead, said staff conducted outreach from February through April and discussed a proposed $30 one-time increase as a framing exercise. "We identified a range of options, defined evaluation criteria and then evaluated those options," Jessica said, noting the county also ran an implementation viability analysis to identify administrative burden and whether public votes would be required.

At the board's request staff returned with two scenarios: Scenario 1 ("10/10/10") would add $10 every other year for three cycles and be fully implemented over five years; Scenario 2 ("15/15") would raise $15 in two consecutive years. Staff presented charts that model how each scenario phases in revenue at county and city levels and explained the statutory 60/40 split between county and cities and population-based city allocations.

Jessica said the board indicated a preference for Scenario 1 and staff will prepare an ordinance to advance that scenario. "We are preparing an ordinance to advance the vehicle registration fee scenario number 1 for board consideration with a first reading tentatively scheduled for August 4 and then a public hearing and potential ordinance adoption generally scheduled for August 25 board meeting," she said.

Committee members asked about affordability concerns and ways to reduce impacts on low-income residents; staff noted they will continue to explore mitigation options and implementation details. The committee did not take a formal vote at this meeting; staff will bring the ordinance forward for board consideration and public hearing per the schedule.