Resolution - 2008 - 01 - Supporting Authorization Of Voter Approved Local Option Sales Tax To Help Fund Transportaion Projects - 02/26/2008
CITY OF EAGLE RESOLUTION
SUPPORTING AUTHORIZATION OF VOTER APPROVED LOCAL OPTION
SALES TAX TO HELP FUND TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
RESOLUTION NO. 08-01
BY THE CITY OF EAGLE TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION FOR LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS TO ESTABLISH A REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION
AUTHORITY. OR OTHER APPROPRIATE ENTITY. AND AUTHORIZE
VOTER APPROVAL OF A LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX TO HELP FUND
TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
WHEREAS, the population of Ada and Canyon counties is projected to be over
one million by the year 2030, including considerable growth in Eagle and the surrounding
area; and
WHEREAS, community leaders and area residents know that a sustainable
transportation system is critical to sustain and enhance economic development
opportunities and provide for a desirable quality of life; and
WHEREAS, projected growth in the Treasure Valley would increase the number
of vehicles on our roads and highways, resulting in increased traffic congestion and
additional air quality concerns; and
WHEREAS, Communities in Motion, the current regional long range
transportation plan for Ada and Canyon Counties, projects a funding shortfall of at least
$1.7 billion for the construction, operation, and maintenance of planned transportation
systems, inclusive of roadways and transit, by 2030; and
WHEREAS, the Eagle Transportation Committee has identified the need for
additional funding to complete local road and highway projects of critical importance to
the residents of Eagle; and
WHEREAS, the current regional transit system provides very limited bus service
to Eagle residents, consisting of only one bus trip to and from Boise per day; and
WHEREAS, Idaho is one of four states that does not provide either state funds or
local option taxing authority for local public transportation funding; and
WHEREAS, local governments are not authorized to ask their residents at the
polls if they are willing to increase the sales tax to help fund transportation projects; and
WHEREAS, the Eagle City Council has reviewed draft legislation provided by
the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho and has further gained input on
the legislative concepts from the Eagle Transportation Committee and other Eagle
residents.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF EAGLE:
Section 1. That the City of Eagle supports legislation allowing local governments
to establish a Regional Transportation Authority, or other appropriate entity, and
associated authorization to seek voter approval of a local option sales tax to help fund
transportation projects, provided that:
a. A significant portion of the revenue stream from any local option sales tax
shall be dedicated to help fund road and highway projects;
b. A reasonable portion of the costs for any transit projects shall be funded
through user fees and fares and other sources;
c. The City of Eagle shall be afforded adequate representation on any
Regional Transportation Authority or other appropriate entity;
d. Sufficient public notice, hearings and other opportunity for comment shall
be provided to ensure that the residents of Eagle, including the Eagle
Transportation Committee, have a meaningful opportunity to have their
views heard regarding proposed transportation projects;
e. A summary of the proposed regional transportation plan shall be provided
to the public for purposes of voting on the proposal, including a
description of the specific projects being proposed;
f. The City of Eagle and other local governments shall be afforded the
opportunity to establish and fund their own transportation projects, as they
may deem appropriate;
g. Any transportation plan and associated local option tax authority may only
be approved by a 2/3 "supermajority" of the voters at any regular election
held in Mayor November; and
h. If the Idaho State Legislature determines that a constitutional amendment
is necessary or otherwise appropriate to authorize local option sales tax
authority for funding of transportation projects, or for other purposes, that
opportunity should be provided to the voters in the next general election.
Section 2. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effective immediately
upon its adoption by the City of Eagle and its approval by the Eagle City Council.
ADOPTED by the Eagle City Council, this ~ tlctay of ~r~ YJ ' 2008.
CITY OF EAGLE
Ada County, Idaho ATTEST
Mayor Phil Bandy
CITY OF EAGLE
p.o. Box 1520
Eagle, Idaho 83616
939.6813
Council: Steve Guerber
Michael Huffaker
Norm Semanko
A1 Shoushtarian
February 26, 2008
Matt Stoll, Executive Director
COMPASS
800 S. Industry Way, Ste. 100
Meridian, ID 83642
Dear Mr. Stoll:
Please accept this letter from the City of Eagle as an expression of our support for passage of
Transportation Authority legislation during the 2008 session. It is our understanding proposed
legislation would allow creation of a regional entity to deal with transportation needs in specific
geographic regions. Furthermore, we understand the proposed legislation will provide associated
authorization for such an entity to seek voter approval of a local option sales tax to support
projects and services that would fulfill those needs.
Through this letter, the City of Eagle recognizes the importance of an efficient and effective
transportation system in sustaining and enhancing economic development, and we encourage
appropriate legislative action to assure the needs of this infrastructure are met, both regionally
and within the limits of each municipality included in the specific geographic region.
g/
1!(j~
Mayor
~~6?i2
?J~
~
Steve Guerber, Council President
()iML~L
Al Shoustarian, Councilman
Mike Huffaker, ... ncilman
AI -~
Norm Semanko, ouncilman