RICHLAND, Wash. – The Richland City Council has unanimously approved a new sales tax to fund road repairs, replacing the current vehicle license fee starting April 1, 2026.
The council voted 7-0 in favor of the 0.1% sales and use tax, which will be dedicated to road maintenance. The city estimates this new tax will generate around $2.5 million annually, more than double the revenue from the existing $20 vehicle license fee.
Councilmember Kurt Maier expressed support for the change, highlighting the shared responsibility for road maintenance. “Up until now the people of Richland have had to shoulder this road maintenance burden alone, and we’re not the only ones who use these roads. There’s major employers in town, we’re shipping in and out. A lot of people benefit from the quality and condition of Richland’s roads, and I’m eager to let our friends and neighbors pay for it,” said Maier.
The funds from the new tax are earmarked solely for road repairs, ensuring they won’t be diverted to other uses. Councilmember Ryan Whitten noted, “I do understand that with this tax it’s earmarked for a specific purpose, and when things are earmarked in that way I have more support for them so that they can just go to the general fund and be used for other things,” said Whitten.
Some council members initially had reservations about shifting from a flat fee to a sales tax. Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Kent shared her internal conflict, saying, “My brain wants to vote yes, but my heart wants to vote no because I do not like additional taxes, raising taxes, raising fees. But the math says according to the presentations that have been provided to the council that this will be less expensive,” said Kent.
Council members also expressed satisfaction with the implementation timeline, stating that the April 2026 start date allows for a smoother transition than a rushed January start.
