Transportation Benefit District

Cities form Transportation Benefit Districts to help fund pavement preservation and transportation projects. In 2011, Snohomish voters formed a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) and approved an additional two tenths of one percent (0.2%) sales tax to fund the TBD from 2012 to 2021.

In 2021, the City voters approved the extension of the TBD program. This extends the TBD program into 2031 and will continue to provide funding for street pavement preservation and transportation projects. The TBD sales tax measure that was passed by voters in 2021 approved keeping the two-tenths of one percent (0.2%) local sales tax rate that was approved in 2011. The sales tax was not increased with the 2021 approval. Two intersection improvement projects (Bickford Avenue/Ridge Avenue and 2nd Street/Pine Avenue) were included in the TBD program. 

The TBD boundary includes all areas within the city limits and is governed by the Snohomish City Council. Every year the district publishes an annual report on its work.

Since 2012, the City has collected approximately $11.8 million from TBD sales taxes. The City has also been awarded approximately $6 million from State and Federal grants to support TBD projects. To date, the TBD program has funded the paving of approximately 7.5 miles of street and two intersection projects. The following are some of the street projects that have been completed or currently funded by the TBD program:

• 15th Street/Avenue D Roundabout (2015)
• 30th Street at Highway 9 widening (2017)
• Bickford Avenue (Weaver Road to 30th Street) Overlay (2022)
• Avenue D (1st Street to 2nd Street) Overlay (2023)
• Holly Vista Drive and 16th Street (east of Terrace Avenue) Overlay (2023)

The Transportation Benefit District Annual Report will be presented to Council during the September 17, 2024, Council meeting.