Point Roberts schedules town hall on proposed 2¢/gallon TBD tax increase

The Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee announced a town hall for Saturday at 2 p.m. to gather community input on a taxpayers' proposal to ask the county to place a TBD gas‑tax increase (from 1¢ to the statutory 2¢/gallon limit) on the ballot.

Chair (PRCAC) said the town hall will gauge whether residents support increasing the TBD tax and to gather preferences for how additional revenue, if approved, should be spent. Committee members debated operational options if the tax passed: dedicating a full‑time county employee to Point Roberts (estimated at over $100,000 a year once equipment and other costs are included) versus contracting local vendors to provide mowing, roadside cleanup and other services.

Members discussed revenue volatility tied to cross‑border gasoline purchases and the Canadian dollar, and whether short‑term investment returns could outpace current gas‑tax receipts. As one participant explained the taxpayers' rationale, "It would be nice if that was $55,000 instead of $27,000," noting recent revenue decline and the desire to preserve and modestly increase the community's funding stream.

The committee stressed the need to present clear options at the town hall — including realistic project lists and cost estimates — and to avoid giving the impression that an increased tax would immediately fund large capital projects. The chair said that if the community supports placing the increase on the ballot, further meetings would outline concrete spending scenarios and priorities.