Pasco eyes date for road work sales tax vote. When you can weigh in
The city of Pasco is moving forward with a plan to increase sales taxes to help pay for road repairs.
The next step will be a public hearing tentatively set for April 20. Then two weeks later the city council will consider voting on increasing its sales tax by 0.1 cents to generate $2.3 million for its streets fund, according to Monday’s meeting agenda packet.
That fund had a $600,000 deficit under the city’s 2025-26 budget.
After that meeting the council will vote whether to roll the new Transportation Benefit District into the city’s regular functions. That opens the door to a vote on how to pay for it.
They established the district in February.
The extra revenue will help pay for pothole repairs and crack sealing, striping and traffic safety markings, ice and snow removal and projects such as roundabouts.
The city has been leaning toward a sales tax increase over charging car tab fees because the sales tax would mean everyone shopping in Pasco and using its roads would help pay for it. Richland recently voted to swap its car tabs for sales tax, noting the same concerns. Kennewick established a similar sales tax in 2024.
The council can approve a sales tax increase of one-tenth of a percent without needing voter approval.
If the council approves the sales tax increase at its May 4 meeting, it will take six to nine months to go into effect. Shoppers will notice it on their receipts in early 2027.
Pasco already has the highest sales tax rate in the Tri-Cities at 8.9% after voters approved an increase to pay for an aquatic center in 2022. It will go to 9% if the council approves the increase on May 4.
Kennewick’s sales tax is 8.8% and Richland is at 8.7%
