HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-035 Submission of proposition to qualified votors, for ratification or rejection, utility tax rate increase
RESOLUTION NO. 06-035
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, W ASIllNGTON
PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION OF A PROPOSITION TO THE QUALIFIED
VOTERS OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AT A SPECIAL ELECTION,
FEBRUARY 6, 2007 FOR THEIR RA TIFICA TION OR REJECTION, PROVIDING
FOR AUTHORITY TO INCREASE THE UTILITY TAX RATE FROM 6% TO 10%
WITH FUNDS FROM THE INCREASE ALLOCATED TO PUBLIC SAFETY,
PARKS, CITY FACILITIES, STREETS AND LIBRARY; SETTING FORTH THE
BALLOT PROPOSITION; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CERTIFY TO THE
COUNTY AUDITOR A CERTIFIED COpy OF TillS RESOLUTION; AND
PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY RELATED THERETO.
WHEREAS, RCW 35.21.870 authorizes cities to impose a tax on the privilege of
conducting ,m electrical energy, natural gas, steam energy. or telephone business at a rate up to
six percent by legi slative approval, and at a rate that exceeds six percent if approved by a
majority orthe voters of the city voting on such proposition; and
WHEREAS, increasing the tax on the electrical energy and telephone businesses (the
only businesses operating in the City that are subject to the tax) from six percent to ten percent
would result in revenue of approximately $400,000; and
WHEREAS, revenues are needed to provide funds for public safety, parks, city facilities,
streets and the library; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City ofPort Townsend (the "City") finds it is
appropriate to submit to the voters of the City of Port Townsend a proposition whether the City
should impose an increase of the tax on electrical energy and telephone business from six percent
currently taxed to ten percent in order to provide revenues for public safety, parks, city facilities,
streets and library;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington
resolves as follows:
Section 1: Levy Proposition Submitted to Voters. An election is hereby requested to
be called, conducted and held within the City on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 for the purposes of
submitting to the qualified electors ofthe City for their ratification or rejection, a proposition
pursuant to RCW 35.21.870 to impose an increase of the tax on electrical energy and telephone
business from six percent currently taxed to ten percent in order to provide revenues for public
safety, parks, city facilities, streets and the library.
Section 2: Submission to the County. The City requests the Auditor of Jefferson
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Resolution 06-035
Section 6: Severability. If any provision of this resolution is determined to be invalid or
unenforceable for any reason the remaining provisions shall remain in force and affect.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a special meeting
thereof, held this thirtieth day of November, 2006.
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Mark\Welc Mayor
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Attest:
Approved as to Form:
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John P. Watts, City Attorney
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Resolution 06-035
Exhibit A
CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, W ASIllNGTON
Proposition 1
SHALL THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND INCREASE THE TAX ON
ELECTRIC AND TELEPHONE BUSINESS FROM 6% TO 10% WITH
REVENUES ALLOCATED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, PARKS, CITY
FACILITIES, STREETS AND LIBRARY
The City Council ofthe City of Port Townsend, Washington adopted Resolution
06-035 concerning increasing the tax on electrical energy and telephone
business. If approved, this proposition would authorize the City to increase the
tax on electrical energy and telephone business from six percent currently
authorized to ten percent with additional revenues allocated for public safety,
parks, city facilities, streets and library. Should this proposition be approved?
Yes
No
Exhibit A to Resolution 06-035