HomeMy WebLinkAbout3333 Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 3 3 3
A RESOLUTION endorsing the Public Safety Sales Tax measure on the
November 2011 ballot and urging city voters to approve the same.
WHEREAS, the City contracts with Franklin County for housing of City misdemeanant
offenders being adjudicated through Pasco Municipal Court, so having adequate jail space for
pre-trial as well as post- confinement of felons and misdemeanants alike is critically important to
the maintenance of public safety in the greater Pasco community; and
WHEREAS, the City has operated its Municipal Court within space at the Franklin
County Courthouse under terms of a 40-year lease which will expire in 2012; and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Commission and Pasco City Council previously
considered the efficiencies to be gained for both parties and jointly concluded that the citizens
and taxpayers of all of Franklin County will be greatly benefitted if Pasco Municipal Court
functions can be housed, long term, at the Franklin County Courthouse; and
WHEREAS, Franklin County has planned for construction of a new 225 bed jail as well
as renovation of the old jail and would accommodate construction of new municipal court space,
at City cost, as part of that project; and
WHEREAS, the cost of such a facility requires the issuance of debt by the County, the
repayment of which will require a voter-approved source of revenue; and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Commission and the Pasco City Council have
previously considered the only two available options, an excess property tax levy or a three-
tenths of one percent sales tax increase; and
WHEREAS, Pasco City Council finds that the sales tax option is much preferred because
it provides sufficient funding for construction of both the jail and court facilities but will also
provide sufficient funds for operation of those and other public safety functions throughout the
County as well as the City and avoids an increase in the existing property tax burden on owners
of property throughout the County, including the city; and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Commission has placed a three-tenths sales tax
increase proposal on the November 2011 general election ballot which, if approved by voters,
would generate sufficient funds to construct and operate the new County jail as well as a new
municipal court, City police station and improved gang suppression and other public safety
purposes; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON, DO
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Pasco City Council strongly endorses the sales tax ballot measure for the
stated purposes and, further, urges voters of the City to vote for the ballot measure in November
2011.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco at its regular meeting dated this 15th
day of August, 2011.
Matt Watkins, Mayor
ATTEST:
Debra Clark, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Leland B. Ke , City Atto ey
Public Safety Sales Tax Measure
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