Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay released the following statement after his administration transmitted new legislation that will allow the county to assume the duties and functions of the King County Transportation District (KCTD). This change is being proposed in partnership with members of the King County Council, which plays a key role in allocating and approving funding:
“Maintaining safe, reliable roads and bridges and a connected regional transit system are essential to King County’s future. As part of my commitment to build a better government, my administration has examined tangible ways to make government more efficient and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely.
“Assuming the KCTD will allow our Roads division to continue delivering critical road safety, maintenance, and preservation projects across the nearly 1,500 miles of roads and 200 bridges in unincorporated areas. These upgrades support mobility, economic development, and emergency response across our region.
“Additionally, this change will save an estimated $2.5 million a year in staffing and administrative costs, reducing unnecessary expenses so we can focus on delivering the infrastructure projects that our region needs. I’m grateful for the five councilmembers who have signed on to cosponsor this legislation and will continue to work with the Council to ensure that transportation funding benefits all communities across our region.
“Maintaining our network of roads and bridges is only one part of the equation. I am equally focused on strengthening our transit system. We know that King County Metro is facing a funding cliff starting in 2031, and my administration is exploring all possible revenue solutions, including the potential for a transit measure, to preserve and expand service to more communities.”
Background:
Created in 2014, the KCTD is a local taxing district that has the authority to generate revenue for transit, roads, and other transportation projects. It is governed by a nine-member board of King County Councilmembers.
In June, the KCTD board approved establishing the 0.1% sales tax, raising approximately $100 million annually. If this legislation passes, the Roads division will continue its work to present an implementation plan for use of the funds to the Council for approval this fall. Collection of the tax will begin January 1, 2027.
Many other jurisdictions in Washington have already absorbed their transportation benefit districts (TBD). Of the 129 cities with TBDs, 105 have assumed the districts into city government.