Sales tax added to benefit streets, sidewalks

Town council members last week paved the way to pay for future work on La Conner’s streets, sidewalks and trails.

The panel during its April 9 public meeting unanimously approved a 0.1% sales tax to fund the town’s new Transportation Benefit District.

The council action is tentatively set to take effect July 1.

Council members opted for the sales tax rather than an increase in local vehicle license fees to provide revenue for the TBD. Town Administrator Scott Thomas said the sales tax will be paid in part by those who drive to La Conner to shop.

“The revenue will fund transportation-related projects and maintenance,” he said. “That includes streets, signage, sidewalks and trails.”

The tax will be in place for 10 years, Thomas said. Establishing a higher tax rate would have required a referendum vote.

“There is a one-tenth of one percent limit on what the council can impose,” he said. “You would have to go to voters to increase that amount. We’re not doing that now.”

There was no input from the audience before the council vote.

“You guys are awfully quiet,” said Mayor Marna Hanneman. “I get nervous about that.”

She also expressed some nervousness over declining sales tax revenue figures reported for the first quarter of 2024. This year’s receipts for January, February and March totaled $124,353.37, down from $146,681.27 realized in the first three months of 2023.

“I’m hoping it’s just because of the cold, wet weather we’ve had,” Hanneman said. “But the numbers are going in the wrong direction. The town was packed this past weekend, though, so, I hope it’s just an anomaly.”

Remaining on the financial front, Hanneman said La Conner officials have met with State Rep. Dave Paul (D-Oak Harbor) and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Arlington) to gain their support for a town fireboat. More talks are planned in the months ahead.

“We need help with funding for a fireboat,” Hanneman said. “We’re going to keep out front on this.”

Council member and La Conner firefighter Ivan Carlson echoed Hanneman’s sentiments.

“One of the things that Dave Paul told us is the state likes to be the last one to put money in,” said Carlson. “So, I think we’ll also want to meet with the Port (of Skagit).”

In the meantime, councilor MaryLee Chamberlain, a member of the Skagit Valley Clean Energy Cooperative, reported that two grant applications have been submitted to the state Department of Commerce to solarize the La Conner School District campus and La Conner Fire Department station.

“I think we have a chance with this round of grants,” Chamberlain said. “There could be some money for us to help our community with (climate) resiliency.”

She said the Commerce Department could make its decision on the local grant applications by the end of May.

“We’ll keep our fingers crossed,” she said.

The Jenson property on La Conner’s south end, sold to the town at roughly one-third its assessed value, will be on the council’s radar this month. A public site visit of the property is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, April 18, and a “community mingle” seeking input on how the parcel should utilized is April 25.

“We’re encouraging neighbors (of the property) to be part of the site visit,” Planning Director Michael Davolio said.

Independent of the new Transportation Benefit District, grant funding will cover costs of pedestrian improvements on Washington and Road Streets. The council took a step toward launching that project by approving $45,400 for engineering services submitted by David Evans and Associates. The total grant award package is $240,000.

Town Public Works Director Brian Lease, who was instrumental in the success of the town’s successful grant application, said he anticipates his department will be able to resume progress this week on the long-awaited Conner Waterfront Park pavilion.

“It’s been a busy time for us,” he said.

Longtime La Conner Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Kelly Wynn introduced to the council his son, Kevin, who has supervised the Sedro-Woolley plant for the family’s Water & Wastewater Services business.

“He’s going to take over the wastewater part of the company,” the elder Wynn said. “He’ll be who you’ll have the most contact with in the future.”

Kelly Wynn said that his son is well familiar with the La Conner plant, having previously served here in a supervisory role.

The half-century-old La Conner plant, which transformed the town from a sleepy waterfront village to a wildly popular tourist destination, is slated for major state-mandated upgrades within the next few years.