Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, chair of the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) board, has announced that a public hearing will take place tonight (Thursday, June 26) to take resident feedback relating to legislation to preserve King County Metro transit service in Seattle.
The public hearing will take place in the Council Chambers, second floor of Seattle City Hall (600 Fourth Ave.), starting at 5:30 p.m.
The legislation under consideration formalizes Mayor Ed Murray’s proposal for a ballot measure, which was announced in May. The Seattle Transportation Benefit District Board must pass the legislation by Aug. 5 to be placed on the November 2014 ballot.
The STBD is interested in hearing public feedback on the following:
•How would planned Metro Transit service cuts impact you if no action is taken to prevent these cuts?
•What is your perspective on an additional vehicle-license fee of up to $60 and a 0.1-percent sales and use tax to prevent planned Metro Transit service cuts in Seattle, and if funds allow, to enhance transit service?
•What other information should the board take into consideration as it develops a potential ballot measure for the November election?
In April, Seattle voters approved Proposition 1 by a margin of two-to-one, but the measure ultimately failed county-wide. Rasmussen’s legislation seeks voter approval for vehicle-license fees and a sales and use tax to fund Metro Transit service in Seattle.
Rasmussen also announced three other meetings scheduled in July; the complete STBD board summer meeting schedule is available online atwww.seattle.gov/stbd.
The STBD is also accepting feedback by phone (206-233-5005) and email (seattletbd@seattle.gov).