Port Angeles council to discuss street tax

PORT ANGELES — City council members have decided it’s not too early to talk about increasing the sales tax or boosting driver-license-renewal fees for 2018 to fund Port Angeles street maintenance and repairs.

Other options they will discuss at a 5 p.m. work session Tuesday at City Hall include increasing the property tax levy and imposing an annual vehicle fee of $40 to $100.

The funding avenues are being explored as part of mulling establishment of a transportation benefit district (TBD), which the city of Sequim has had in place for several years.

Port Angeles City Council members were advised in a 2017 staff preliminary budget report earlier this fall that they should consider establishing the district in 2018.

On Tuesday, they will begin fleshing out options that include a $20 license renewal fee and a 0.2 percent sales and use tax, which is Sequim’s funding mechanism of choice.

The sales tax increase must be approved by a simple majority of voters.

“The status quo will just continue with the deterioration of the streets,” Craig Fulton, public works and utilities director, said last week.

“We’re looking for some guidance from the council on which way to proceed.”

Fulton said a TBD would not solve all of the street and alley issues facing the city.

But he said it would help improve city byways that are replete with “poor” ratings under the widely employed “StreetSaver” computer-based street management system, which uses a Pavement Condition Index.

“When you get into the PCI category of poor and very poor, you are in a situation where extensive rehabilitation or complete replacement of pavement is required,” Fulton said Friday in an email.

Sequim’s 10-year, 0.2 percent sales tax that funds its TBD generated $488,000 in 2016, about half of overall street funding, City Manager Charlie Bush said Friday.

“It’s almost like a user fee for people who come here and shop, to help offset the impact they have on our streets,” Bush said.

Sequim City Engineer Matt Klontz also said the city uses the sales tax proceeds as leverage to gain grants for paving and fixing roads that the city has difficulty funding.

Bush said Sequim residents could vote on renewing the 0.2 percent sales tax in 2018 for collection beginning anew in 2019.

Port Angeles Chief Financial Officer Byron Olson said 0.2 percent sales tax imposed in Port Angeles would generate about $600,000 to $700,000 in 2017 based on 2016 sales tax revenues.

________

Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Tamara Clinger decorates a tree with the theme of “Frosted Cranberries” on Monday at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The helping hand is Margie Logerwell. More than three dozen trees will be available for viewing during the 34th annual Festival of Trees event this weekend. Tickets are available at www.omhf.org. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Finishing touches

Tamara Clinger decorates a tree with the theme of “Frosted Cranberries” on… Continue reading

Grants to help Port Angeles port upgrades

Projects, equipment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Joseph Molotsky holds Jet, a Harris’s hawk. Jet, 14 or 15, has been at Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue for about seven years. Jet used to hunt with a falconer and was brought to the rescue after sustaining injuries while attempting to escape an attack from a gray horned owl in Eastern Washington. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Wild bird rescue to host open house

Officials to showcase expanded educational facilities

Jaiden Dokken, Clallam County’s first poet laureate, will wrap up their term in March. Applications for the next poet laureate position, which will run from April 2025 to March 2027, are open until Dec. 9. To apply, visit NOLS.org/NextPoet. (North Olympic Library System)
Applications open for Clallam poet laureate

Two-year position will run from April 2025 to March 2027

The YMCA of Port Angeles was May recipient of Jim’s Cares Monthly Charity at Jim’s Pharmacy in Port Angeles.
Staff and customers raised more than $593 to support the YMCA.
Pictured, from left, are Joey Belanger, the YMCA’s vice president for operations, and Ryan French, the chief financial officer at Jim’s Pharmacy.
Charity of the month

The YMCA of Port Angeles was May recipient of Jim’s Cares Monthly… Continue reading

Festival of Trees QR code.
Contest: Vote for your favorite Festival of Trees

The Peninsula Daily News is thrilled to announce its first online Festival… Continue reading

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office uses this armored vehicle, which is mine-resistant and ambush protected. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)
OPNET to buy armored vehicle

Purchase to help with various situations

Lincoln High School students Azrael Harvey, left, and Tara Coville prepare dressing that will be part of 80 Thanksgiving dinners made from scratch and sold by the Salish Sea Hospitality and Ecotourism program. All meal preparation had to be finished by today, when people will pick up the grab-and-go meals they ordered for Thursday’s holiday. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Students at Wildcat Cafe prepare Thanksgiving dinners

Lincoln High School efforts create 80 meals ready to eat

D
Peninsula Home Fund celebrates 35 years

New partnership will focus on grants to nonprofits

A mud slide brought trees down onto power lines on Marine Drive just each of the intersection with Hill Street on Monday. City of Port Angeles crews responded and restored power quickly. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Downed trees

A mud slide brought trees down onto power lines on Marine Drive… Continue reading

Photographers John Gussman, left, and Becky Stinnett contributed their work to Clallam Transit System’s four wrapped buses that feature wildlife and landscapes on the Olympic Peninsula. The project was created to promote tourism and celebrate the beauty of the area. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Iconic Peninsula images wrap Clallam Transit buses

Photographers’ scenes encompass community pride

Housing identified as a top priority

Childcare infrastructure another Clallam concern