Voters approve Pateros Transportation Benefit District

PATEROS – Certified results from the Okanogan County Auditor’s Office regarding the August 3 primary election show that voters approved the Transportation Benefit District (TBD) for the City of Pateros by the simple majority the measure required. By a vote of 75-65 more than 53 percent of Pateros voters support the TBD which allows the city to collect .2 percent sales and use tax to apply toward transportation improvement projects.
State RCW (Chapter 36.73) permits cities to create TBDs for the purpose of financing their transportation improvements. Pateros created its TBD in 2018.
Valued at an estimated $23 million, the city’s transportation infrastructure includes more than:
● Seven miles of roads
● A mile of sidewalks
● One-half mile of trail
● 100 street and trail lights
● 180 traffic signs
All the above need annual repair or replacement by the street department that typically operates on a budget of $100,000 to $125,000.
“Unlike water and sewer utilities, which are required by law to pay for themselves through fee collection, streets do not have a mechanism to generate funds for maintenance and operation costs,” city administrator Jord Wilson said.
Mayor Carlene Anders said the city had a revenue shortfall when it came to transportation infrastructure upkeep so general funds were used. The general fund is supported by property, sales, and state taxes.
“TIB (Transportation Improvement Board) assists us with major street projects with grant funds,” said Wilson. “TIB funds are collected from statewide gas taxes and are very competitive.” 

A .2 percent tax on each dollar a visitor or resident spends on Pateros retail sales will generate an estimated $40,000annually for the next 10 years.
Taxable retail sales mean goods and services such as buying household wares or getting a car’s oil changed,” a TBD fact sheet explained. “Food, prescription drugs, and some other items are exempt.”
Herbert vs Poole
In other Pateros primary results, city council member Frank Herbert, appointed to fill the Position 1 vacancy left by Christine Perry earlier this year, will face Chantel Poole in the November general election. Poole got 40.6 percent of the vote and Herbert 36.09 percent. A third candidate, former city council member Adam Fritz did not make the cut with 21.05 percent.
TRH levy passes
Voters approved the renewal of the one-year levy for Three Rivers Hospital (Hospital District No. 1) by a wide margin, 74.7 percent to 25.83 percent. The levy will collect 33 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value or about $66 for a $200,000 home to help fund hospital operations in 2022.