Monroe Transportation Benefit District

PowellSt-TBDSign3-071823Monroe’s Transportation Benefit District (TBD) is a city transportation improvement program approved by voters in 2014. Since then, more than $8.1 million has been invested in Monroe’s street system to preserve, rehabilitate, and reconstruct the roads that residents and visitors use every day. 

What is a Transportation Benefit District?

Transportation Benefit Districts are governed by the rules established in state law (RCW 36.73.) A TBD is an independent taxing district that can raise revenue for specific transportation projects, usually through vehicle license fees or voted sales taxes. For Monroe, its TBD revenue is from sales tax. Funding can support the construction, maintenance, and operation costs associated with projects such as road resurfacing or reconstruction and sidewalk repairs.

Monroe’s TBD was established in 2012 by ordinance by the City Council to fund much needed road improvements. In 2014, Monroe voters approved a 0.2% local sales tax increase that funds Monroe’s TBD for 10 years, unless renewed by voters. The 0.2% sales tax generates 2 cents of revenue for the TBD for every 10 dollars spent in the City of Monroe. This program receives approximately $1.4 million per year from sales generated within Monroe city limits.

As a separate taxing district from the city, the Monroe TBD is governed by a Board that meets up to two times a year to review revenues received, set its budget, and approve projects that will be funded by the TBD sales taxes. The Monroe TBD has entered into an interlocal agreement with the City which provides that the City will construct the TBD funded projects. The Monroe TBD Board agendas and minutes are posted to the city’s Meeting Agenda portal.

Contact Us

  1. For questions about TBD funding:
    Julie Elsom
    Finance Director
    360-863-4518
    EMAIL

    For information about projects:
    Scott Peterson, P.E.
    City Engineer
    360-863-4606
    EMAIL


TBD Funded Projects

The costs associated with Monroe’s road maintenance needs far exceed the necessary funding to sustain it. TBD funds fill this vital gap. The funds generated by the Monroe sales tax increase are currently used to prevent Monroe streets from failing and to rehabilitate and reconstruct failed roadway segments. Since its inception in 2014, more than $10.3 million has been invested in Monroe’s street system. Between 2016 and 2024, more than 17.3 (centerline) miles of roadway have been paved and over 270 curb ramps have been upgraded to meet ADA accessibility standards. 

Some TBD-funded projects include: 




Project NameDescriptionStatus
147th Signal Project
Install a new signalized intersection at 147th St SE and 179th Ave SE. Includes new ADA ramps and paving of 450 ft. of roadway.
Out to Bid. Project begins early 2025.
179th Avenue Sidewalk
Installed 1000 ft of new curb and sidewalk along 179th avenue to complete missing sections from Main St. to 154th St SE.
Construction completed October 2024.
Powell Street Reconstruction

Remove/regrade/replace roadway.

Install new curb and sidewalk, bulb outs for traffic calming and a safer pedestrian experience.

Construction completed July 2023.
Annual Paving Program
Paved over 1.5 miles in 2024 and 1.4 miles in 2023.Planned for approximately 1 mile in 2025. 

In 2024, updated over 70 curb ramps to meet ADA accessibility standards, bringing the total to approximately 270 since 2016. 
Annual program typically implemented April-October
Madison Street Reconstruction

Remove/regrade/replace roadway. 

Install new curb and sidewalk, bulb outs for traffic calming and a safer pedestrian experience. 
Construction completed in 2022.



Sales tax renewal approved in Nov. 2023 General Election

On June 6, 2023, the Monroe Transportation Benefit District unanimously approved a resolution (TBD 2023-001) that placed a ballot measure (Proposition 1) to renew a 0.2% sales tax on the Nov. 7 General Election. Elections have been certified by Snohomish County with Proposition 1 passing by more than 57%. 

For more information: