Chapter 3.26
TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT DISTRICT1
Sections:
3.26.010 Transportation benefit district established.
3.26.030 Authority of the district.
3.26.035 Annual vehicle license fee.
3.26.040 Transportation improvements funded.
3.26.050 Dissolution of the district.
3.26.010 Transportation benefit district established.
There is hereby established a transportation benefit district to be known as the Mill Creek transportation benefit district with geographical boundaries comprised of the corporate limits of the city of Mill Creek as they currently exist or as they may exist following future annexations. (Ord. 2025-940 § 3)
3.26.020 Governing board.
A. The governing board or “board” of the transportation benefit district shall be the Mill Creek city council which shall have the authority to exercise the statutory powers set forth in Chapter 36.73 RCW and this chapter.
B. The treasurer of the transportation benefit district shall be the city finance director.
C. The board shall develop a material change policy to address major plan changes that affect project delivery or the ability to finance the plan, pursuant to the requirements set forth in RCW 36.73.160(1).
D. The board shall issue an annual report, pursuant to the requirements set forth in RCW 36.73.160(2). (Ord. 2026-944 § 3; Ord. 2025-940 § 3)
3.26.030 Authority of the district.
A. The district shall have and may exercise any and all powers and functions provided by Chapter 36.73 RCW to fulfill the purposes for which the district is established as described in this chapter. This chapter shall be liberally construed to permit the accomplishment of the district’s purposes.
B. The board may, by majority vote, (1) impose a vehicle license fee as provided in RCW 36.73.065(4) and 82.80.140; (2) impose a fee or charge on building construction or land development as authorized by RCW 36.73.065(4)(a)(iv) and 36.73.120; and (3) impose a one-tenth of one percent sales tax as authorized by RCW 36.73.065(4)(a)(v) and 82.14.0455.
C. When approved by voters pursuant to Chapter 36.73 RCW, the district may assess other taxes, fees, charges and tolls and impose increases in the same for the uses and purposes identified in this chapter.
D. The district may issue general obligation bonds or revenue bonds in accordance with the provisions of RCW 36.73.070. (Ord. 2025-940 § 3)
3.26.035 Annual vehicle license fee.
A. Annual Vehicle Fee Established. An annual vehicle fee of $20.00 per vehicle is hereby established. Consistent with RCW 36.73.065(4)(a)(i), as written or hereafter amended, to be collected by the Washington State Department of Licensing on qualifying vehicles as set forth in RCW 82.80.140, as written and hereafter amended.
B. Revenue Restrictions. The revenues received from the $20.00 vehicle fee shall only be expended on TBD projects approved by the city council pursuant to Ordinance No. 2025-940 and state law.
C. Vehicle Fee Collection Effective Date. The annual vehicle fee shall take effect no sooner than 180 days after the approval of the ordinance codified in this section, pursuant to RCW 36.73.065 and 82.80.140(4). The vehicle fee shall be collected during the term of the existence of the Mill Creek TBD and shall cease to be collected upon the dissolution of the Mill Creek TBD. (Ord. 2026-946 §§ 1 – 3)
3.26.040 Transportation improvements funded.
The funds generated through the transportation benefit district shall be used for any purpose allowed by law including the operation of the district and to make transportation improvements that are consistent with existing state, regional and local transportation plans, and as described in Chapter 36.73 RCW. The transportation improvements funded by the district shall preserve, operate, and maintain the city’s long-term investments in its transportation infrastructure, reduce the risk of transportation facility failure, improve safety and accessibility, expand and upgrade multimodal transportation infrastructure, continue optimal performance of the infrastructure over time, and avoid more expensive infrastructure replacements in the future. Additional transportation improvement projects may be funded only after compliance with the provisions of Chapter 36.73 RCW. (Ord. 2025-940 § 3)
3.26.050 Dissolution of the district.
The transportation benefit district shall be automatically dissolved when all indebtedness of the district has been retired and when all of the district’s anticipated responsibilities have been satisfied. Street preservation, maintenance, and operation are ongoing, long-term obligations of the city. (Ord. 2025-940 § 3)
Code reviser’s note: This chapter was added by Ord. 2025-940 as 3.24. It has been renumbered as 3.26 to prevent duplication.