HomeMy WebLinkAboutFS 2013-12-03 Item 2A - Discussion - Status of Options to Enhance RevenuesTO:
City of Tukwila
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
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Mayor Haggerton
Finance & Safety Committee
FROM: Peggy McCarthy, Finance Director
BY: Vicky Carlsen, Deputy Finance Director
DATE: November 26, 2013
SUBJECT: Status of Options to Enhance Revenues
ISSUE
Provide status of false alarm and billing for hazardous materials cleanup revenue option and
update on Transportation Benefit Districts.
BACKGROUND
At the January 14, 2013 City Council Committee of the Whole Councilmember Robertson, as
Chair of the Finance and Safety Committee, distributed a draft of committee goals that included
researching revenue increases and expenditure decreases.
An Info Memo identifying 3 potential revenue sources was distributed at the June 12, 2013
Finance and Safety Committee meeting. One option proposed was to review current false
alarm fees and the feasibility of increasing the fees.
On September 4, 2013' information on Transportation Benefit Districts was presented to
Finance & Safety.
DISCUSSION
Transportation Benefit Districts (TBD)
Information on TBDs was presented at the September 4, 2013 Finance & Safety Committee
meeting. A question was asked regarding the how many commercial vehicles versus personal
vehicles were registered in the City.
This question was posed to Department of Licensing and the response provided did not include
the split between commercial and private vehicles but they did provide the total number of
vehicles. As of September 2013, there are 25,089 vehicles registered to the City that could be
subject to a TBD fee. However, they did indicate that per RCW 36.73.065 if a City would like to
impose a $20 fee without a vote of the people, the boundaries of the TBD must include the all
the territory within the boundaries of the City. The only way to create a TB[) that would have
smaller boundaries than the City would be for the fee to be voter approved.
False Alarm Fees
Current false alarm fees have not been increased since 2004 for fire and 1985 for police.
Research has been done to compare the City's current fee structure to other local jurisdictions.
A recommendation will be coming to Finance & Safety in January to increase false alarm fees
for both police and fire. We hope to bring this forward at the same time that Fire updates the
International Fire Code. This will ensure a smooth transition to the new rates and will make it
easier to amend the Tukwila Municipal Code.
INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 2
Billing for Hazardous Materials (Haz Mat) Cleanup on Highways
There are many variables to consider before making a recommendation on billing for haz mat
clean up on highways.
Existing programs within the tri-county area will be analyzed to determine the best approach for
the city. Upon completion of the research and analysis, a recommendation will be presented to
the Committee for consideration.
RECOMMENDATION
For Information Only
ATTACHMENTS
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