YAKIMA, WASH.--Should the Yakima City Council initiate a car tab fee to help pay for road repairs? Will voters even approve a $30 fee if the measure appears on the ballot?
It's a question that's been thrown around the council for a while now.
"People want us to spend our money better," said Sara Bristol, a city council member. "We already have a huge city budget, and they're not feeling that they're getting adequate value for their services."
"Roads are definitely an issue, but so are excessive fees," said Greg Wilson, a Yakima Resident.
That's why the city council is coming up with alternative options to pay for road work. Council members said over $500,000 will become available next year after the police station is paid off.
Also, the city said sales tax revenue has been growing steadily and predicts revenue to come in higher than expected. Combined, this would give the city $1.7 million for road repairs but only if their projections come true.
"The car tab fee would be a more reliable source for sure," said Bristol. "Unfortunately, it's not necessarily reliable in the sense that voters were going to pass it."
Some people said they'd rather stick with the reliable option.
"Anything we can do to fix the roads is what my opinion is, and if it's an extra $30, it's an extra $30," said Eric McClellan, a Yakima Resident.
In Tuesday night's city council meeting, some council members will also propose putting a charter amendment on the August ballot. This measure would require the city to spend at least $2 million a year on road repairs.
