Vehicle owners in Burien will now pay an extra $10 a year for car tabs, to help pay for the city's new street overlay program.
After two years of no asphalt overlay on the roads Burien lawmakers voted borrow $8.6 million to bring 263 lane miles of roads up to a pavement condition index (PCI) of plus 80. For the next 20 years, Burien will spend $600,000 annually to maintain the 80 plus PCI.
To repay the debt service and maintain the asphalt overlay, the city had to find $1.25 million each year for the next 20 years. The city found savings of $750,000 by bringing the surface water management and transportation services in house, no longer contracting with King County.
Some $100,000 will come out of the capital reserve fund and another $100,000 will come from Seattle Light customers in lieu of fees.
City staff recommended a $10 Transportation Benefit District (TBD) after some council members expressed concern about how to ensure future councils continue to fund the street overlay program.
A TBD has specific rules attached to it, and the money from the TBD must be used to improve the City's streets.
A $10 TBD would raise over $300,000 annually, allowing the city to make the $1.25 million each year.
Councilman Brian Bennett spoke out against new taxes and asked if it was possible to only spend $950,000 a year. City Manager Mike Martin said the city could absolutely do that, but the streets would gradually begin to deteriorate.
"We need to acknowledge these are tough economic times, and I feel a $10 or $20 TBD would be a burden," Bennett said.
Mayor Joan McGilton said she was in favor of the program because waiting would not save any money in the long run.
"I do not see delaying this project is going to be cost effective in two to three years," McGilton said.
As the roads deteriorate the cost to bring them back to a high PCI goes up exponentially.
Councilman Jack Block Jr. said it is only fair the taxes come from people using the roads.
The measure passed 5-2, with Bennett and Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak voting against.
"Future generations are going to thank you for it, I guarantee it," Martin said, after the council passed the motion.
