PASCO, Wash. – After months of discussion, the Pasco City Council voted 6-1 on Monday night in favor of creating a Transportation Benefit District, a decision that could lead to a new tax in the city.
The council is considering either a car tab fee or a sales tax, though, discussions have leaned toward implementing a sales tax. If enacted, the most they could impose without a ballot measure is one-tenth of a percent, which equates to a dime for every $100 spent.
The proposal suggests that Pasco’s current $2 million street fund is insufficient as the city continues to grow. The funds from the proposed tax would help cover the costs of maintaining additional roads.
Councilman Leo Perales spoke about the issue on Tuesday night, emphasizing other priorities for the city.
“We’ve got to legislate not from crisis to crisis, but by priorities. And right now, I do feel like we need to invest in public safety as a growing city. Roads and stuff: we can go get grants. You know, we can go get funding from the federal government,” Perales said.
Perales noted that Pasco police received 60,000 service calls last year. He advocated for directing new tax dollars toward public safety, citing recent state legislation that allows cities to increase sales tax for police and court staffing.
While the council did not decide on a tax during Monday’s meeting, Pasco city officials will now collaborate with state agencies to determine the next steps and timeline.
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