RES 99-29 OPPOSITION OF THE PASSAGE OF INITIATIVE 695RESOLUTION NO. 99-29
A RESOLUTION of tlC~ City of Bainbridge Island, Washington,
opposing the passage of Initiative 695.
WHEREAS, Initiative 695 proposes the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax for all vehicles
be lowered to $30.00; and
WHEREAS, Initiative 695 proposes that voter approval be required for all tax and
fee increases at every level of government in Washington State;
WHEREAS, reduction of the MVET will remove an estimated $900,000 from the
City's 2000 budget and more from budgets in succeeding years;
WHEREAS, Kitsap Transit will lose 40% of its budget and be forced to curtail
services to Bainbridge Island;
WHEREAS, the Washington Department of Transportation will lose over $500
million in 2000, money which goes into ferry operations as well as highway construction
and repair and will not be able to issue bonds to complete the projects approved by
Referendum 49 passed in November, 1998; and
WHEREAS, if 1-695 is approved, the Washington Department of Transportation
will lose over $500 million in 200 and will not be able to issue bonds to complete the
projects approved by the voters in Referendum 49, in November 1998;
WHEREAS, if 1-695 is approved, the State ferry system will lose $200 million
annually, severely limiting construction plans and operations of an essential component
of the Island's transportation system;
WHEREAS, approval of all tax and fee increases by the voters would necessitate
the need for many costly elections;
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the implications and potential
impacts of 1-695 and believes the Initiative to be contrary to the best interests of the City
of Bainbridge Island and the services and programs provided to its residents; now,
therefore
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND,
WASHINGTON, opposes the passage of Initiative 695 and urges the voters of
Bainbridge Island to reject Initiative 695.
PASSED by the City Council this 271:h day of Oct:ober
,1999.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 28th 'day of October ,1999.
A~UT~.NTI~
SUSAN P. KASPER, City Clerk
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK:
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL:
RESOLUTION NO. 99-29
DWIGHT SUTTON, Mayor
October 13, 1999
October 27, 1999