(The Center Square) – Citing affordability concerns, Seattle City Councilman Bob Kettle wants to cut Mayor Katie Wilson’s plan to raise the Seattle sales tax by 0.15% to pay for more public transit services, such as more frequent bus service.
Wilson’s proposal would increase the city sales tax that funds public transit by 0.15 percentage points, to 0.3%.
Kettle’s amendment to the plan would increase the sales tax “by a more moderate 0.05%.”
Kettle insisted that a healthy transit and transportation system is absolutely essential for Seattle during a public hearing on Monday.
“However, we must spend our public dollars strategically, rather than raising the sales tax simply because we can,” he said. “Every day, I hear from neighbors about how living in Seattle is becoming less and less affordable.”
If Wilson’s plan is ultimately enacted, Seattle would be headed for a combined city, state and county 10.80% sales tax, with a 0.1% bump recently approved for county roads and 0.15% proposed for expanded transit service
Wilson’s plan funds transit services for 10 years at a cost of $138 million a year. The plan would start next year. The current levy ends in 2026.
Ultimately, voters will decide on the plan, which must be passed by the Seattle Benefit Transport Benefit District by Aug. 4 to qualify for the November ballot.
District members are the nine city council members, and so far no other council members have endorsed the Kettle plan.
Kettle has sparred with the mayor on a variety of issues, often offering a moderate answer to the progressive mayor’s views.
He said Monday that the transit tax, along with utility increases and other taxes, is done in isolation, without regard to the overall impact on taxpayers.
“But who looks out at the collective impact? ” he asked. Who looks at the punitive impact?”
Kettle’s amendment is one of 23 put out by council members on the plan, which range from adding bus service in select parts of Seattle to providing more security details to protect riders and transit workers.
Councilman Rob Saka, who chairs the special transportation committee, praised the thoroughness of each amendment.
None of the amendments, other than Kettle’s, reduces the overall tax burden.
Wilson has said that her plan would help working families overall.
“Transportation is one of the biggest costs for most families, so these investments are essential to make our city more affordable so Seattleites can get to jobs, opportunities, and each other without a car,” Wilson said in early June announcing the renewal of the plan.
Hearings on the transit plan are scheduled for July 13 at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.