Cities want more revenue

If the Association of Washington Cities has its way, residents will be paying more taxes.

That’s the assessment given to members of the Lacey City Council by their legislative lobbyist Mark Brown, former mayor of the city and a contract lobbyist.  Brown is also on the AWC board.

Brown told the councilmembers that the association wanted the state legislature to give cities the authority to raise local vehicle license fees and a one percent local option for a Motor Vehicle Excise Tax.   Currently cities, which have adopted a Transportation Benefit District, can raise car tabs to $20.   If the new proposal is approved, they will be able to raise the fees to $40.   Currently only the City of Olympia has created a TBD in Thurston County.   The motor vehicle excise tax would be a new tax.

If approved by the legislature the proposal of the AWC would be to give cities the option of raising these new taxes, not requiring them.

Members of the Lacey City Council were given the information as well as other legislative priorities at an hour-long briefing following Thursday’s regular council meeting.