Cost changes related to Pacific’s Transportation Benefit District must be “thoroughly evaluated” before they are implemented.

That resolution, which puts the City in accordance with state law, was passed at Monday night’s City Council meeting.

Mayor Leanne Guier said funds generated from a TBD would be directed toward fixing Pacific’s worst streets.

In 2015, the City hired Infrastructure Management Services to complete a traffic study to help the City Council prioritize its transportation projects.

Guier said she would like to see the council pass a $20 car tab fee, which would allow the road projects to begin, and residents “would be confident that the money is being spent wisely” before the Cityy pursues other TBD funding mechanisms, including a property or sales tax increase.

On July 15, 2016, the council authorized the formation of a TBD, which would allow the City to charge an extra vehicle registration fee and sales and property taxes to fund street projects through the Revised Code of Washington. Any money raised through a TBD must be used for road projects.

The council has the authority to implement a vehicle-registration fee, if it does not exceed $20, without a vote. But any proposal to increase property or sales taxes must be placed on the ballot.

And the Council still must select a preferred funding mechanism, which members could not agree upon when they last discussed it in November.

Elsewhere

Pacific officials will continue to accept applications for the No. 7 City Council seat. Justin Newlun announced Jan. 9 that he would vacate the position on Feb. 6 because he is moving out of the city. Guier said she hopes the council will interview candidates on that date and select Newlun’s replacement Feb. 13. The new council member would assume the term that expires Dec. 31.