2006 Seattle Elections

General Elections Voters' Guide

Proposition 1 - Transportation Funding - Ballot Title

Ballot Title

CITY OF SEATTLE
PROPOSITION NO. 1
Transportation Levy

The City of Seattle's Proposition No. 1 concerns allowing increased property taxes for nine years for transportation improvements.

If approved, this proposition would fund facilities and services, including: street and bridge maintenance; enhanced transit services; bicycle, pedestrian and safety programs; and a neighborhood street fund, under Ordinance 122232. It would authorize regular property taxes higher than RCW 84.55 limits, allowing collection of up to $36,650,000 in additional taxes in 2007 and up to $365,000,000 over nine years.

The 2007 total regular tax limit would be $3.69/$1,000 assessed value, including approximately $0.36 additional taxes.

Should this levy lid lift be approved?

Levy, Yes
Levy, No

Explanatory Statement

City Attorney's Explanatory Statement for
Transportation Property Tax Levy

Proposition No. 1 would approve a nine-year property tax increase for transportation purposes.

If approved, this proposition would fund facilities and services, including: street and bridge maintenance; enhanced transit services; bicycle, pedestrian and safety programs; and a neighborhood street fund. The levy lid lift would authorize regular property taxes higher than RCW 84.55 limits, allowing collection of up to $36,650,000 in additional taxes in 2007 and up to $365,000,000 in additional taxes over the nine-year duration of the levy. The 2007 total regular tax limit would be $3.69/$1,000 assessed value, including approximately $0.36 additional taxes.

The funding provided through Proposition No. 1 would be spent in four categories, consistent with the following limitations:

1. Neighborhood Street Fund. The first $1,500,000 each year would be appropriated for the Neighborhood Street Fund to fund the planning, design, and construction of new facilities or major maintenance projects that enhance pedestrian mobility or safety. (Examples are projects such as sidewalks, walkways, traffic calming devices, and pedestrian crossing improvements.)

After that, the amounts collected during the nine-year duration of the levy would be spent as follows:

2. Maintenance. Not less than 67% for Maintenance, which includes Street Maintenance (such as arterial maintenance and replacement, and sidewalks, trails, and walkways), Bridges and Structures (such as bridge maintenance and replacement, bridge seismic improvements, and stairways and structures maintenance), Traffic Management (such as signs and markings; signals, controllers, and Intelligent Transportation Systems; and safety and equipment), and Urban Forestry (such as landscaping maintenance and tree maintenance).

3. Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Safety Programs. Not less than 18% for Bicycle Programs, Pedestrian Programs, and Safety Programs.

4. Transit Service Enhancements. No more than 15% for System Additions/ Enhancements, which would include Transit Corridor Projects and Transit Operations and Capital.

The City adopted a 20-year spending plan in Resolution 30915. Subject to the constraints set out above, the City Council and Mayor will decide on the particular projects and services to fund, after considering any recommendations from an Oversight Committee.

None of the additional taxes that would be allowed by Proposition No. 1 could be used to fund the major repair of the Alaskan Way Viaduct or the seawall located to the west of Alaskan Way, or to fund any replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct or the seawall.

Proposition No. 1 approves the entire regular City property tax levy and if passed could exempt the City's property tax from future statewide tax-cutting initiatives.