The City of Chehalis is inviting community members to attend a public question-and-answer session about the Transportation Benefit District (TBD) renewal on the November general election ballot, a news release from the city announced.
The session will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the V.R. Lee Community Building, located at 221 SW 13th St. in Chehalis. City representatives will provide an informal presentation about the TBD, how the funding has been used and what the renewal would mean for future transportation projects. Community members will also have an opportunity to ask questions.
The measure on the Nov. 3 ballot is not a new tax. Chehalis voters first approved the TBD in 2017, and the city is now asking voters to renew the existing 0.2% sales tax for another 10 years at the same rate, equal to 2 cents on a $10 purchase.
Revenue can be used for streets, pedestrian safety projects, traffic congestion relief and matching funds for grants.
Since it began, the TBD has helped fund major improvements, including the reconstruction of Northwest Pacific Avenue and Southwest Chehalis Avenue and sidewalk and pedestrian improvements along Southwest 13th Street.
It also provides local funding that helps the city compete for state and federal grants, allowing local transportation dollars to go further, the city stated in the release.
The funding will continue to play an important role in major transportation projects planned for Chehalis, the release stated. Upcoming work includes Safe Routes to School improvements that will make walking and biking connections safer, continued work on the Downtown Rejuvenation Plan and efforts to replace the aging Chamber Way Rail Bridge, the release stated.
Transportation infrastructure is important to residents, businesses and visitors and helps support public safety accessibility and the local economy, the city said.
Because the TBD is funded through sales tax, visitors as well as residents contribute toward transportation improvements in the community.
More information about the Transportation Benefit District is available at https://tinyurl.com/57dtzzrh.
