Ephrata Transportation Cushioned by Sales Tax In Case I-976 Passes

The Ephrata city council meeting on Wednesday included an agenda item to discuss the possible repercussions that could arise if the controversial Initiative 976 passes. The conclusion was that there would be no significant impact to the community of Ephrata's transportation benefit district. This is thanks to a sales tax that Ephrata residents passed.

"The community selected a sales tax as a way to fund transportation benefit district and last year our voters passed that," said Wes Crago, city administrator. "Our concern was if Initiative 976 would pass, would that have an impact on transportation benefit districts that are funded through sales tax?"

City of Ephrata gathered legal advice from three different attorneys, including two from statewide city organizations, and the answer to the posed question was no, there would be no impact in that regard.

"We know that if it passes, there will be an impact on the state of Washington and eventually that filters down to less money to small communities for road repair and street things, but our primary concern to council was our transportation benefit district here, locally," said Crago.

Other local cities, such as East Wenatchee, have been debating over the contentious initiative and its ripple effect on public transportation funds.