Resolution 4386 - Laserfiche WebLink

WHEREAS, projects representing only $44 million of the total $322 million of capital needs cited in the City's capital 6-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP are eligible for gas tax funding under the current 23-cent gas tax; and WHEREAS, in Everett, gas tax revenues to finance and provide matching dollars for arterial needs have been flat - and in some cases, decreased - from year to year ($559,579 in 1994, $572,941 in 1995, and$545,250 in 1996), due to, for example, higher fuel-efficiency in automobiles, more cities and agencies splitting up gas tax revenues, etc.); and WHEREAS, all cities have similar needs to Everett's, as evidenced by the fact that the Association of Washington Cities estimates that the transportation funding shortfall for cities statewide amounts to approximately $1.7 billion over the next six (6) years; and WHEREAS, the gas tax at the state level is not indexed for either inflationary factors or population and growth factors associated with Initiative 601, and it would be much closer to 50 cents than 23 cents if it was placed within either formula; and WHEREAS, the five-cent increase in the gas tax in 1990 has been absorbed by inflation and no longer is enough to sustain any new project funding for the State Department of Transportation; and WHEREAS, it is critical to Everett, Snohomish County, and the Puget Sound region as a whole to have new funding available for critical transportation corridors such as Interstate 5 at least as far north as SR 2; the Bothell-Everett Highway (SR 527) from 112th Street to 132nd Street and beyond; and the SR 525 projects. NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Everett does hereby declare: 1. That it consider an increased funding package for transportation needs one of its top priority needs at the state level. 2. That such a package must contain a significant increase in the gas tax to fund these projects and, just as importantly, an increase in direct distributions to local governments. 3. That any transportation package must contain enough funding to address critical new projects in the Everett area which, at a minimum should include all of the following: I-5 HOV lanes to SR 2; Bothell-Everett Highway improvements from 112th Street to 132nd St.; and the SR 525 projects. C s ncilmember Introducin.-•esolution Passed and approved this 19th day of February, 1997. /7" / Co' ncil President