2014/12/24 Council Agenda Packet

L---') — ' r — tl fitn Strong Cities ASSOCIATION 3 Great State OF WASHINGTON CiiiES Cities Action Agenda ._- Es ...-- Strong Cities make a Great State Washington's 281 cities and towns are where most residents live, work, learn, and play. Cities appreciate the serious funding challenges facing the state involving the need to adequately fund quality schools and maintain economically viable communities. Cities face many of these same challenges and pledge to partner with the Legislature and Governor to find ways to adequately fund both state and local priorities. For 2015, cities have identified the following priorities: Shared Revenue III Transportation III Maintain the revenue sharing partnership between Adopt a comprehensive Transportation Package. the state and cities, including restoration of The state is faced with insufficient funding for diverted liquor taxes and removal of the cap on maintenance and preservation, and for new liquor profits. Sharing of these revenues is the transportation projects that are important for product of a long standing partnership and without economic well-being. City transportation needs are the promise of this revenue, cities would have equally critical. Cities require ff sought other local options ( MAIN STREET ) additional tools to maintain more �� and authorities. The needs than 38,000 miles of local streets Iltj of growing and economically and we need the state to continue challenged cities require more important programs like the resources. Transportation Improvement Board. Revenue Authorities 1111 Infrastructure III Explore new revenue options and more flexible Cease raids on infrastructure funds and restore use of existing revenue sources, including the state commitment to investment in public adjusting the limit on property tax increases to infrastructure. Our infrastructure is aging and cities better reflect the costs of providing services. can't keep up with increasing demands without Like the state, cities have limited revenue options the strong partnership with the state. To keep to fund critical services and Washington moving forward and to Aegik support economic activity. onfilasli keep with demands and regulatory We must explore sustainable requirements, we need programs I I I funding opportunities that keep like the Public Works Assistance up with costs allowing locals to Account, the Centennial Clean meet their own service needs. Water Fund, and Model Toxics • Control Account. Marijuana 1111 Fund critical public safety and criminal justice needs by sharing a portion of the 75% excise — — ^� — tax on recreational marijuana. The state and -,_� Li ° L I � + r I El L F 1 I. c{-- local governments must partner effectively to respond to the history making legalization of marijuana, including support AWC Contact $iir for enforcement activities, $ prevention, and education Dave Williams $ efforts. We must also Director of Government Relations appropriately regulate medical davew@awcnet.org marijuana while maintaining 360.753.4137 • 1.800.562.0149 patient access. 11-5-14 Association of Washington Cities • 1076 Franklin St SE, Olympia, WA 98501 • awcnet.org 'age o