(UPDATE FEB 5th, 2022)
Remember to vote by February 8th! Review the information below to learn why this is on the ballot and how it impacts the City.
(UPDATE FEB 1st, 2022)
Remember to vote by February 8th! Review the information below to learn why this is on the ballot and how it impacts the City.
(UPDATE JAN 27th, 2022)
City Engineers, Gray and Osborne, provided a comprehensive review of the state of City Infrastructure with an emphasis on street projects, accomplishments, maintenance, and funding. See the whole presentation here, or supplement the Street FAQ’s below with just the transportation section here.
(ORIGINAL POST JAN 20th, 2022)
This February 8th, there will be a special election, with a City of Soap Lake ballot measure requesting approval of a 0.2% Transportation Benefit District (TBD) Sales Tax. Please read the following frequently asked questions (FAQs) to get familiar with why this ballot measure has been approved by City Council for your consideration. Additional resources are available at the bottom of this posting too.
ABOUT CITY STREETS
What is the TBD?
The TBD is a fund that can only spend its revenue on street improvements and maintenance.
What is the City Street Fund?
The Street Fund pays for street operational expenses.
The Street Fund’s only earmarked revenue is from multimodal and motor fuel tax, and the TBD.
How important are City Streets to the Community?
Out of 80 participants in an online survey:
Over 80% of poll participants values streets highly (4&5 out 5 stars)
Over 75% of the poll were willing to pay more for streets (3-5 out of 5 stars)
ABOUT STREET REVENUE SOURCES
What about State and Federal funding sources?
The City already utilizes these funding sources through competitive grant processes. Through TIB, FEMA, QUADCO, and WSDOT, the City has been awarded $5.5 Million from 2016-2023. See the Data.
What about using the existing tax base (property tax, REET, utility tax, sales tax)
These tax revenues must be shared with general administration, City facility maintenance, public safety, parks & recreation, and cultural & social service operations. The City has budgeted to use a portion of property tax and REET funds to correct the Street Fund deficit, which takes away from these other municipal services.
What about increased vehicle tab fees?
While the City Council has the authority to raise vehicle tab fees to help generate street revenues, it was decided against, since vehicle fees put the increased burden of street maintenance only on Soap Lake Residents. Vehicle Tab fees are also an uncertain revenue and could be voted away at the state legislative level.
What about Local Improvement Districts (LIDs)?
LID’s are a financing option for local areas to pool resources and afford street repairs on streets that are not eligible for state and federal grants (such as improving gravel roads into paved ones).
Click on the link to this page, to learn more about LID’s.
What about creating a stormwater fund?
Currently the Street Fund must also support storm water maintenance. A new stormwater fund and city service could take over those expenses, but that would be a direct cost to residents similar to other utility bills. See the Stormwater Plan on this page.
ABOUT THE SALES TAX
Why choose a sales tax?
To share the cost of street maintenance with visitors and residents. See the section ABOUT STREET REVENUE SOURCES too.
Does the 0.2% sales tax replace the $20 vehicle tab fees?
No, this will be in addition to the vehicle tab fees. The City is also concerned those tab fees are not guaranteed as state legislation has looked at removing those (like the recent Initiative I-976).
How much is a 0.002 tax rate increase?
20¢ per $100 sale. This would make The City of Soap Lake’s total sales tax rate equal 0.084.
How does Soap Lake’s sales tax compare with local cities?
5 other cities in Grant County have 0.084 tax rates already (Including our closest neighbors Ephrata & Moses Lake). The rest of Grant County has a 0.082 tax rate. The state ranges from 0.075 - 0.105. See the Data.
How much revenue will the 0.2% tax generate for the City?
The City is planning for approx. $30k per year to start, based on historic growth of tax revenues. See the Data.
Will this sales tax be forever?
No. The TBD sales tax is limited to 10 years.
ABOUT CURRENT CITY STREET MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS
How has the City used the existing $20 car tab fees?
How much does street maintenance and improvements Cost?
What current street maintenance and other expenses are covered by the Street Fund?
Are there ways to save street expenses?
Due to the high level of maintenance and street improvements needed, cutting street expenses to match existing revenues would lead to further street disrepair.
ABOUT FUTURE STREET MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS
What is the City’s transportation improvement plan and expense?
What is the impact on this plan without the 0.2% TBD sales tax?
The plan will have to be put on hold, delaying street improvements. Based on projections, that could mean a hold on street projects until 2035. See section ABOUT THE STREET FUND HEALTH.
How will the 0.2% tax help achieve the plan?
There may still need to be a year or two delay to assure funding corrects the deficit, but otherwise the City is better situated to follow through with and expand on improvements.
ABOUT THE STREET FUND FINANCIAL HEALTH
What is the Street Fund deficit?
The cost to maintain the City streets (see street maintenance list) and pay for improvements is greater than the funds revenue (multimodal & motor fuel tax, and $20 vehicle tab fees)
What is the funds projection if current street funding doesn’t change?
What is the funds projection with the 0.2% sales tax?
What is the funds projection if the 0.2% sales tax fails?
Where can I learn more about the financial history of the City of Soap Lake?
The State Auditors Office has a tool to research and compare municipalitie’s financial health here!
ABOUT VOTING
When is the election?
February 8th, 2022
Where can I vote?
Ballots can be mailed if postmarked by the 8th, or the City has a voter dropbox right next to City Hall’s utility billing drop box.
Where can I learn more about this special election and voting in Grant County?
What does it take for the Ballot Measure to Pass?
A majority vote of total votes received in favor of the ballot measure. If only 11 people voted, 6 votes in support of the measure would be needed.
Should I Vote?
YES! In small City’s during special election cycles, voter turnout can be low. A handful of votes will make a difference in whether the measure passes or fails.
This is just a quick overview of information on the City’s Streets and Finances. To learn more about City infrastructure and the City’s streets, a public meeting will be held on Wednesday January 26th, at 5:30 PM. Please attend!
Posters, flash cards, and other information packets will be released to the public that can be shared with neighbors too.