The City of Burien has not done any asphalt overlay to its streets for the last couple of years, a situation which Burien City Manager Mike Martin said is not sustainable.

City staff presented a plan to the Burien City Council to spend $8.6 million to bring their roads up to high standards over the next couple of years, and spend $600,000 each year after for 20 years for overlay on the City streets.

The initial $8.6 million would be raised through bonds, which would be paid back over 20 years. To pay back the bond and overlay the streets each year the City would have to pay $1.25 million dollars a year.

Martin described this as a legacy project, something that would go on for a very long time. As soon as the City gets Council approval they plan on moving forward with the bonds and beginning work on roads late summer or early fall.

Public Works Director Larry Blanchard showed the council if they keep the City roads at an 80+ on the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) it would cost them $19.4 million by 2029. If the City maintained their streets to PCI of 70 it would end up costing the City approximately $231 million by 2029.

The numbers are based upon Build America Bonds of a 4 to 4.25 percent interest rate, which was how the City was rated a month ago.

Blanchard explained the more work that needs to be done to repair a road the cost goes up exponentially. He told the Council it the most cost affective option would be to spend the money now and maintain the streets.

While specifics are still being looked, at Mayor Joan McGilton made it clear the community will have to choose between additional taxes and fees or lower levels of service, because the money simply is not there.

Increasing the Electric Utility Tax from three to six percent, as well as including a recycling in their solid waste program were two ways that staff proposed to come up with the money each year to pay back the bond and have enough money to pay for the overlay each year.

The Electric Utility Tax increase would only affect Puget Sound Energy customers in Burien, as Seattle City Light customers already pay a six percent utility tax. On average this would mean an extra $3 a month per household.

A recycling program in Burien would result in an additional $2 a month in garbage fees per household.

Combined the measures are estimated to raise approximately $400,000 a year. The taxes would not take affect until 2012, when the overlay program for the roads would begin.

Councilmember Jack Block Jr., with his Starbucks sitting next to him, suggested a beverage tax of $.25 on every beverage not bought at a grocery store. He also suggested getting revenue from for profit check cashing firms, requiring them to pay extra fees for a business license.

Creating a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) was discussed as another way to get the required revenue. The TBD would raise money by adding a $20 fee to car tabs. Burien Finance Director Tabitha Miller said a TBD would raise $600,000 a year.

Council Member Lucy Krakowiak had concerns with the electrical utility tax and recycling program. She said she did not like the utility tax because it hit people in their homes and she was worried about getting fees from recycling because local businesses are just starting to recycle and she did not want to undermine that.

Street overlay will be discussed at the next council meeting, Monday April 5.