Pateros Transportation Benefit District helps fund city street projects

PATEROS – Entering its sixth year as part of the city’s financial funding vehicle, the Transportation Benefit District (TBD) has been gradually building revenues to help the city maintain its city transportation network.

At the most recent February Pateros City Council meeting the treasurer’s report listed $1,846.30 collected in January 2023 in TBD taxes that joins the $25,897.54 in the city’s current TBD account.

Per state RCW 36.73.030 the city created its TBD in 2018 to, in the language of the RCW, “…establish transportation benefit districts in order to respond to the special transportation needs and economic opportunities resulting from private sector development for the public good.” Voters added their stamp of approval of the sales and use tax levy in August 2021. State law mandates that TBD funds can only be used to maintain and improve the city’s transportation infrastructure. The city’s streets, alleys, sidewalks, and gutters require continuous upkeep to remain both usable and safe. Any driver who has had the unfortunate experience of blowing a tire after hitting a deep pothole found in a paved highway or street can appreciate the need for a diligent maintenance program.

Pateros has more than:

• Seven miles of roads.

• More than a mile of sidewalk.

• More than a half-mile of trail.

• More than 100 street and trail lights.

• More than 180 traffic signs.

This infrastructure is valued at an estimated $23 million. The typical maintenance budget for the street department is $100-125,000.

The city included transportation projects in its six-year plan, in the transportation element of the comprehensive plan, in the Americans with Disabilities Act plan, and in its parks and recreation plan. The transportation element of the comp plan identified 14 goals and 23 policies that prioritize these projects. While it continues to source federal and state transportation funds where available the city still must pay its share of costs. Effective July 1, 2022, the TBD collects a 0.3 percent (formerly .02%) sales tax on each retail dollar spent by residents and visitors in Pateros. Retail sales include goods and services with the exception of food, prescription drugs, newspapers, and a few other categories. The TBD annually collects an estimated $40,000.