HomeMy WebLinkAbout3143 Water, Sewer, Stormwater, Garbage Utility Tax Rate Ordinance 3143
Page 1 of 2
ORDINANCE NO. 3143
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND RELATED TO PUBLIC
UTILITY TAXES; AMENDING THE TAX RATE IMPOSED ON THE CITY'S WATER,
SEWER, STORMWATER,AND GARBAGE UTILITIES, AND AMENDING PORT
TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 5.84.030
RECITALS
1. The City has determined that it needs additional resources for parks and facilities
maintenance.
2. In order to meet these ongoing needs, staff recommends a 3-year increase in the City's tax on
the City's Water, Sewer, Stormwater, and Solid Waste Utilities.
3. As a companion ordinance, staff will bring forward for Council consideration a reduction in
the low-income rates for the Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Utilities to offset the effect of this
temporary tax increase.
NOW THEREFORE,the City Council of the City of Port Townsend do ordain as follows:
Section 1. Amendment. Sections 5.84.030G and 5.84.0030H (Tax imposed) of the Port
Townsend Municipal Code are amended as follows (strike is deleted, underline is added):
5.84.030 Tax imposed.
From and after January 1, 1982, there is levied upon, and there shall be collected from,
every person, firm or corporation engaged in carrying on the following business for hire
or for sale of a commodity or a privilege of so doing business as defined in this section:
G. Effective February 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018, Tthere is levied a fee or tax
equal to 20-22 percent on the gross revenues of the following utilities:
1. The city's storm and surface water utility established under Chapter 13.31
PTMC;
2. The city's water system established as provided in Chapters 13.11 through
13.17 PTMC (the "water code"); and
3. The city's sewer system established as provided in Chapters 13.21 through
13.24 PTMC (the "sewer code").
Effective January 1, 2019, the fee or tax shall revert to 20 percent.
Funds shall be allocated as follows:
a. Revenues from first 10 percent and from the temporary 2 percent: general fund
services;
Ordinance 3143
Page 2 of 2
b. Revenues from second 10 percent(amount collected in excess of the first 10
percent): 85 percent to street fund and 15 percent to public safety.
The capital surcharge component of the water"sewer, and storm and surface
water rates is excluded from the City's Utility Tax.
H. Effective February 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018, Tthere is levied upon, and
there shall be collected from, the city's solid waste or garbage utility a fee or tax equal to
28-22 percent of the gross revenues of such utility established pursuant to Ordinance No.
1366 for the purposes as provided in Chapter 6.04 PTMC. Effective January 1, 2019,the
fee or tax shall revert to 20 percent. The tax of 20 pefeent shall appear and be separately
itemized on the monthly bill of each retail customer of said solid waste or garbage utility.
Funds shall be allocated as follows:
1. Revenues from first 10 percent and the temporM 2 percent: general fund
services;
2. Revenue from second 10 percent(amount collected in excess of the first 10
percent): 85 percent to street fund and 15 percent to public safety.
Section 4. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any person or
circumstance is held invalid,the remainder of the ordinance, or the application of the provision
to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
Section 5. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days after the date
of its publication in the manner provided by law. The new tax rate shall go into effect on
February 1, 2016.
Adopted by thg City Council of the City ofyort Townsend, Washington, at a meeting
thereof, held this 1 day of L)-p-Ca ,2015.
P
David King I
Mayor
Attest: Approved as to Form:
Joanna Sanders, CMC Steven L. Gross
City Clerk City Attorney