08-595 Support Legislation for Local Option Sales TaxCITY OF MERIDIAN RESOLUTION NO. o y ' ~ ~s
BY THE CITY COUNCIL: BIRD, BORTON, ROUNTREE, ZAREMBA
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY & LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX
BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION FOR LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS TO ESTABLISH A REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION
AUTHORITY AND SEEK VOTER APPROVAL OF AN ASSOCIATED LOCAL
OPTION SALES TAX AUTHORITY.
WHEREAS, the population of Ada and Canyon counties is projected to be
over one million by the year 2030; and
WHEREAS, community leaders in the region know that a sustainable
transportation system is critical to sustain and enhance economic development
opportunities; and
WHEREAS, rapid growth in the region will continue to increase the numberof
vehicles on our roads, resulting in increased traffic congestion and negative impacts
to air quality; and
WHEREAS, Communities in Motion, the regional long range transportation
plan forAda and Canyon counties, projects a funding shortfall of at least $1.7 billion
for the construction, operation, and maintenance of critical transportation systems,
inclusive of roadways and transit, by 2030; 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 by the Idaho legislature to
ask (heir citizens at the polls if they are willing to increase the sales tax for
transportation projects; and
WHEREAS, on this date, the City of Meridian reviewed the draft legislation.
NOW THEREFORE, Bf IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN.:
Section 1. That the City of Meridian supports legislation allowing local
governments to establish a Regional Transportation Authority and associated
authorization to seek voter approval of a local option sales tax for transportation.
Regional Transportation Authority & Local Option Sales Tax Page 1 of 2
Resolution
Section 2. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effective
immediately upon its adoption by the City of Meridian and its approval by the City
Council.
22,, d
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Meridian, this day of
~Gl ~'1. ~- ~. ~ , 2008.
K `C
-7-APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Meridian this 22 '-day of
C/ Gl/Yt fit. R/~- r/I , 2008.
APPROVED:
~ ~
,~`~ C~' `~~~o~TTo rr"~'my d erd, Mayor
ATTE ,TED: ~~~~~
William G. Berg, Jr., C y ~,~ ~~ T 9s-~ ' ~`,~\,,~~
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Resolution