Pasco council votes to assume powers of the Transportation Benefit District

Pasco City Council voted to adopt an ordinance to assume the powers of the Pasco Transportation Benefit District (TBD), allowing the council to administer TBD authorities without a separate district governance structure.

Deputy City Manager (staff) explained the TBD as a special purpose district that can fund transportation projects through vehicle license fees (car tab fees) or a sales tax and noted that the city had already created the district and set a public hearing. Staff recommended assuming the district’s powers for administrative efficiency, avoiding separate district meetings, audits and duplicated financial reporting.

Council member questions focused on street‑mile growth and staffing: staff said road miles have increased (23% since 2015; 43% since 2010) while dedicated street crew size remained essentially unchanged, and that funding constraints limit adding crew without subsidies. After opening a public hearing and receiving no public comments, Mayor Pro Tem moved to adopt Ordinance 4826 to assume the TBD powers; the motion was seconded and the council adopted the ordinance (voice vote recorded as motion carried).

Staff said the TBD can be used to target transportation projects, preserve streets, and fund traffic calming and other improvements as revenues are identified.