2013/12/11 Council Agenda Packet

El/& -ETT Resolution A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF Everett AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT TO . ESTABLISH THE WASHINGTON MULTI-CITY BUSINESS LICENSE AND TAX PORTAL AGENCY AND APPROVING OTHER ACTIONS RELATED THERETO. WHEREAS, the City is authorized by state law to issue city business licenses and collect business and occupation and other city taxes; and WHEREAS, the Cities of Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue and Everett (collectively, the "Original Principals") have worked for over two years to investigate and develop a mechanism by which to make it easier and more efficient for businesses to apply for local business licenses and file local taxes, while retaining local control over local licensing and tax collection functions and policies; and WHEREAS the Original Principals seek to accomplish these goals by jointly facilitating the creation of an internet web application gateway (the "Portal") where tax collection and business licensing functions can be collectively administered, and where businesses operating in multiple cities can use a "one-stop" system for tax payment or business license application filing; and • WHEREAS the Original Principals have engaged in extensive outreach with other cities, state legislators, taxpayers and the business community to understand the interests of these stakeholders in relation to development of the Portal; and WHEREAS, the Original Principals have negotiated the terms of an interlocal agreement (Agreement) that will, if approved, establish an intergovernmental entity in the form of a governmental nonprofit corporation as authorized by the Interlocal Cooperation Act, Ch. 39.34 RCW, to be known as the "Washington Multi-City Business License and Tax Portal Agency" ("Portal Agency"); and WHEREAS, the Portal Agency will oversee-the development and operation of the Portal, promote economies of scale in the provision of an exclusively governmental function, and ensure continued control by each participating City of its tax and licensing policy and local tax collection activities; and WHEREAS, the initial signatories to the Agreement and the initial members of the Portal Agency will be the four Original Principals which will serve on the Executive Board of the Portal Agency and oversee its operations and finances; and WHEREAS, it is contemplated that over time, additional cities may seek to join the Portal Agency as principals and signatories to the Agreement, or may seek services of the Portal Agency as subscribers through contracting with the Portal Agency; and . WHEREAS, pursuant to a competitive procurement process in which staff from all the Original Principals participated, the City of Seattle has entered into a contract with eGov 2