Monday night the Transportation Benefit District Board — made up of the seven Lynnwood City Council members — decided against implementing a $20 vehicle registration free, at least for now.
Council members Kimberly Cole and Mark Smith were the only two who voted in favor of the new fee. Cole said the expected $420,000 per year would pay for road projects that are long overdue. Mark Smith said it’s a way of whittling down the list of needed road improvements.
Those who voted against the fee said they wanted to wait until they got a good feeling for what the constituents want. They plan to discuss the issue at the Oct. 11 meeting and possibly put the matter up for a public vote early next year.
A $20 car tab fee is the only tax that can be enacted without a vote of the people. A higher car tab fee or sales tax increase must be approved by voters.
Council President Ted Hikel and Vice President Stephanie Wright both said they prefer a sales tax increase over a car tab fee.
Councilman Jim Smith was adamantly against that idea because he said it would raise the sales tax to nearly 10 percent and people would avoid shopping in Lynnwood.
“The permanent solution is good financial management of the city, which we have not seen,” Smith said.
I am tired of being taxed, maneuvered, twisted to get the last drop out of me to fund their coffers. It is no shock to anyone that the economy has tanked for quite awhile.
So has Lynnwood ever heard of lean and has Lynnwood implemented the lean philosophy?
I want the goods and services my Lynnwood government provides me. I like the idea of knowing that if I need the police, fire,they are there to serve.
I want the water,electricity, garbage services that Lynnwood provides. As for taxes. I don't know anyone that likes them, but they are nessesary for our city to function and serve the people. I do wonder if the destination sales tax was such a good deal for us.