The Kirkland City Council approved legislation that establishes a Transportation Benefit District for the purposes of having a future option to fund transportation improvements following a public hearing held on Feb. 10.
At the public hearing Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen emphasized that the creation of the district “is not a current tax proposal but a placeholder for future needs.”
The ordinance also establishes the Kirkland City Council as the governing board and specifies Kirkland city limits as the boundaries of the district. Further, the ordinance requires that a public hearing be held prior to the city enacting a district fee or charge that does not require voter approval. The Council’s action does not enact any funding options at this time.
A Transportation Benefit District is a funding tool for cities, towns and counties to pay for transportation improvements and provides for a variety of funding options; several which require voter approval. Several King County cities have enacted benefit districts.
The Ordinance passed unanimously.
The Ordinance passed unanimously.
