Here are the highlights from tonight's meeting, which lasted about an hour. There was a lot of discussion that covered many issues, but not very concisely (which is the point of a study session). I'll highlight what I heard by issue.
As always, I encourage you to attend so you can hear the full discussion yourself. These are very important issues that our elected leaders need to hear from us on. Please contact them outside of a meeting (public comment is not allowed at meetings until after voting is done). Emails and phone numbers are listed to the right. ~ Karen
General: Council Member Hunt summarized the revenue issues as a need to look at every tax, see if we are at the max (maximum rate allowed by law) and if not, to charge it. She also noted some ideas for addressing infrastructure needs that she learned at a recent conference, such as low interest loans for major projects like the sewer repairs. Rates would be increased to cover the cost for repaying the loan.
Gambling Tax: Council Member Albertson had not been able to find anyone with as low a gambling tax rate as Ruston currently charges. He felt the Tribune's editorial on the issue was "ridiculous and absurd". Council Member Stebner wanted to move on this increase right away. The ordinance will be ready for the next regular council meeting on July 7th. The owner of the casino was in attendance (I think he had his attorney with him).
Hotel-Motel Tax: This tax can only be used for tourism, but Hunt pointed out there is a broad definition that allows use for things that attract tourists (like improved street lighting or pocket parks). The Point Ruston hotel is projected to bring in $388,000 to Ruston (not sure if this is annually). Albertson thought this tax was "riddled" and does not solve the current problem of revenue shortfalls. The council will continue discussion at a future study session.
New Sales Tax Rules: Council Member Huson is confused about how the new "point of sale" tax rules will impact Ruston's revenue. After some discussion, this issue will be researched and discussed again later.
Business Licence Income: Hunt pulled all the UBI numbers (state issued to all businesses) for Ruston from the state's web site. After she noted she had not reviewed all the details of this list (such as which numbers were still current) she said only 2 in 10 have business licenses in Ruston that should. The council wants the Department of Revenue to provide a current list so town office staff can enforce this requirement on everyone. The clerk expressed concern about having enough time.
A business license currently costs $40 in Ruston. Albertson noted he pays at least $100 to Tacoma for his business. It appears the council is ready to raise the rate substantially, but will discuss it further at another study session.
B&O Taxes: Albertson noted some are promoting a very irresponsible notion of doing away with this tax. He is astounded that we are not maximising this tax instead (currently Ruston charges less than Tacoma). Not all businesses are paying the tax that should be according to Hunt's research. The clerk pointed out that businesses must make $5,000 per quarter before they pay any of this tax. After more discussion, the council appears ready to raise the rate to "comparable rates for surrounding communities", but will discuss it again at a future study session.
Leasehold Excise Tax: This tax is paid by tenants in the school building and passed directly to the state. Ruston may get a small portion back, but no one was sure how much, if any. The council wants The Commencement Group to pay more. Hedrick pointed out that the rate is based on the value of the lease (which is $0), but the town currently collects from them for the use of the sales center. Hunt also wants to require them to pay for 50% of all maintenance and improvement costs for the building as required by state law. The issue will be discussed again at a later study session.
Police Interlocal Agreement for Major Incidents: The council appears ready to approve this agreement.
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4 comments:
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ wow! Why not that bake sale everyone talks about? I guess running business outta town will work better for the coffers.
Hotel/motel tax...who needs those damn tourists dollars anyway!? & is economic development really a career?
Look what T Town is doing for their businesses!
In This Issue...
City offers community meeting on downtown economic development strategy
D Street Overpass open to traffic in all directions
City Council designates International Financial Services Area
Foss Waterway Seaport public esplanade refurbished
Green Report: Salvaged materials transformed into art displayed at the EnviroHouse
Taste of Tacoma, Urban Art Festival, Tall Ships, Freedom Fair bring thousands upon thousands to Tacoma
City offers community meeting on downtown economic development strategy
The City of Tacoma cordially invites you to attend an open community meeting regarding the Downtown Tacoma Economic Development Strategy from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on June 24 at the Freighthouse Square Phoenix Room, 430 E. 25th St. To provide a blueprint for increased investment, the City of Tacoma's Community and Economic Development Department is partnering with AngelouEconomics, www.angeloueconomics.com, an Austin-based economic development consulting firm, to develop the Economic Development Strategy for downtown Tacoma.
The community meeting on June 24 will be your chance to learn about the consultant's recommendations, which includes significant community input, on targeted business sectors and recommendations for attracting future development and job growth within the city center. Staff from the City of Tacoma and AngelouEconomics will be available to address any questions that may arise from the presentation.
In addition, the City has hired VIA Architects (www.via-architecture.com) to update the City's downtown plan for long-range planning and zoning. The VIA recommendations will be aligned with the Economic Development Strategy. Representatives from VIA will also be present on June 24 with an overview of the downtown plan update process and solicit feedback on conceptual plan elements. Additional community meetings will be held this summer and fall as the recommendations from VIA Architects evolve.
For more information, visit www.cityoftacoma.org/downtownstrategy or contact Martha Anderson, martha.anderson@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5207.
D Street Overpass open to traffic in all directions
Thanks to the work and support of many, the $24.5 million D Street Overpass is now open to vehicular traffic in all directions, including the Dock Street connection. Pedestrian access remains available on the East side of the overpass and will be complete on the West side, which includes Dock Street, by approximately June 25, which will bring the project to substantial completion.
A special ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for 10 a.m. on June 25 on the overpass itself and you're invited! For more information, visit the D Street Overpass news release.
City Council designates International Financial Services Area
On June 17, members of the City Council passed a resolution that designates an International Financial Services Area (IFSA) as a special emphasis area within the Downtown Commercial Core Zone; requesting the City Manager to develop and report on recommendations for the expansion, retention, and recruitment of international financial services businesses in the IFSA; and stating the Council's intent to request that the Planning Commission evaluate existing downtown zoning regulations with the intent of facilitating international financial services business development. The IFSA will be defined as the portion of downtown Tacoma between and defined roughly by the parcels on the north side of South 8th Street on the north to the parcels on the south side of South 15th Street on the south; and by the west side of Commerce Street on the west and 1-705 on the east, along with any contiguous parcels.
The City will establish services and incentives that serve to further investment potential within this industry cluster. Financial services are services such as banking, loan, security, investment management and investment advisory, mortgage servicing, contract collection, and finance leasing services engaged in by financial businesses or businesses similar to or in competition with financial business.
Foss Waterway Seaport public esplanade refurbished
The Foss Waterway Seaport is celebrating the completion and opening of a nearly 400-foot long public esplanade at the seaport. This spectacular pedestrian promenade provides dramatic public access to the city's waterways and saves Tacoma's historic Balfour Dock building for another century of service. For more information, visit the Foss Waterway Seaport Web site.
Green Report: Salvaged materials transformed into art displayed at the EnviroHouse
Everything from street litter and beach debris to a Buddha head and wedding cake topper have been salvaged and transformed into 14 professional works of art on display June 19 through mid-October at the EnviroHouse, the City of Tacoma's green building and natural landscape exhibit (Tacoma Landfill, 3510 S. Mullen St.). For more information, visit the City of Tacoma news release.
Taste of Tacoma, Urban Art Festival, Tall Ships, Freedom Fair bring thousands upon thousands to Tacoma
We hope you've got your calendars marked for these upcoming festivals that will bring such vibrancy, cultural richness and true economic development to the waterfront and streets of Tacoma:
• Taste of Tacoma, June 27 to 29: Offering 28 restaurant booths and over 20 food product companies, a variety of ethnic cuisine, all-American favorites and entertainment in Point Defiance Park. This event will also feature Wine and Roses, a wine tasting event in the rose garden, which will include our current and several of the former mayors of Tacoma pouring the samples and Lemay Car Museum automobiles.
• Urban Art Festival, June 29, an all-ages celebration downtown of music, DJs, performance art fashion and hand-crafted goods.
• Tall Ships® Tacoma, July 3 to 7: Thirty-two tall ships will visit the Foss Waterway. Experience the charm and romance of the ships along with the fun and excitement of the landside festival.
• Freedom Fair, Tacoma's 4th of July extravaganza on Ruston Way, including live music, kids entertainment, open-air markets, food courts, pole vault competitions, Army landing craft rides, a classic car show, military exhibits and more!
Forward Tacoma - 5/23/08
May 23, 2008
Vol. 3 Issue 10
Is there a Republican to be found
in this town.
This will be a wonderful place for
Mayor Nichols to retire.
Are they honestly talking about "maximizing" these taxes? That's insane!
Liberal leadership will turn Ruston into the "little Detroit" of the west.
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