City of Stevenson Declares A Ballot Measure

Author: City of Stevenson

Headline: Stevenson’s City Council Votes to Seek Resident Approval of the Utility Rate Reduction, Street Repair, Infrastructure Investment Proposition

Stevenson, WA — On Thursday, October 17, 2024, the Stevenson City Council voted to place the Stevenson Utility Rate Reduction, Street Repair, Infrastructure Investment Proposition on the ballot for the February 2025 Special Election. The proposition asks Stevenson residents to consider approval of a 10-year 0.3% (three cents of every 10 dollars) retail sales and use tax to address essential street and infrastructure improvements, while also allowing the City to reduce the costs of utility service charges.

“Earlier this year, we adopted an updated Transportation Improvement Program, outlining important street repairs, road pavings and pedestrian safety projects that prioritizes our community’s needs. We established the Stevenson Transportation Benefit District to ensure we have adequate funding to execute these projects according to our six-year plan,” said Scott Anderson, Mayor of Stevenson. "We are dedicated to protecting our long-term investments. Delaying necessary maintenance and improvements will only cause future costs to escalate.”

In August 2024, the City established the Stevenson Transportation Benefit District, allowing the City to allocate funds specifically for transportation improvements. If voters approve the proposition, the sales and use tax would generate approximately $270,000 annually over the next 10 years. The revenue would go to the Transportation Benefit District to fund local infrastructure needs like street repairs, snow plowing and pedestrian safety.

An approved proposition would also reduce sewer utility rates for Stevenson residents. From January through May 2024, City Council extensively analyzed the City’s water and sewer infrastructure. The analysis uncovered immediate and future improvements needed due to population growth and increased usage. To fulfill these upgrades and ensure long-term sustainability of the City’s infrastructure, City Council adopted an updated fee schedule with the contingency that the increased rates would be less costly for residents if the sales and use tax is approved by voters.

“As Stevenson grows, we are seeing an increase in overall maintenance and operational costs,” said Ben Shumaker, Interim City Administrator. “We want to keep Stevenson a high quality place for residents, business and visitors, which requires an investment in our infrastructure.”

To learn more about the Stevenson Utility Rate Reduction, Street Repair, Infrastructure Investment Proposition, visit StevensonInfrastructureProp.org.

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