Monroe Transportation Benefit District

Monroe’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. 

Sales tax renewal on November 2023 ballot

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 results will be posted by Snohomish County and certified on November 28, 2023.

For more information: 

Contact Us

  1. For questions about TBD funding:
    Becky Hasart
    Finance Director
    360-863-4518
    EMAIL

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


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.

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 $8.1 million has been invested in Monroe’s street system. Between 2016 and 2021, more than 14 (centerline) miles of roadway have been paved and close to 200 curb ramps have been upgraded to meet accessibility standards. 

Other TBD-funded projects include:

 

Project NameDescriptionStatus
Powell Street Reconstruction

Remove/regrade/replace roadway.

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

Construction expected to begin April 2023 and be complete July 2023.
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.
Annual Paving ProgramPaved over 0.4 miles of roadway within city in 2022. 3.4 miles planned for 2023.
Annual program typically implemented April-October


 

Monroe Ballot TBD Measures

Monroe voters initially approved a 0.2% sales tax increase in August 2014 to fund the Monroe TBD. Collection began in 2015. The sales tax automatically expires in 10 years unless renewed by voters. Proposition 1, Monroe Transportation Benefit District: Sales and Use Tax for Transportation Improvements, will appear on the November 7, 2023 ballot for Monroe voters to consider for renewal. To view the 2023 General Election results, go to the Snohomish County Elections webpage.