2024 Transportation Levy

Overview

The Seattle City Council is currently considering a legislative package to renew and update the city’s Transportation Levy, a $930 million package that was approved by voters in 2015.  The current eight-year Transportation Levy, known as the Levy to Move Seattle, is set to expire at the end of 2024. In preparation, Mayor Bruce Harrell has proposed a new eight-year, $1.45 billion levy to fund transportation safety and maintenance.  The mayor’s proposal is currently being reviewed and amended by the Council’s Select Committee on the 2024 Transportation Levy. That committee includes all nine councilmembers and is chaired by Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1).  If the updated package is approved by Council, it would go to a final vote of the people on this November’s ballot.

The Council’s Current Levy Proposal

The Seattle City Council is currently amending the proposal transmitted by the mayor’s office, which was sent to the Council in May.

Chair Saka’s Proposed Amendments

The Chair of the Select Committee on the 2024 Transportation Levy, Rob Saka, proposed an initial package of amendments to the Mayor’s proposed levy on May 31. Broadly speaking, Chair Saka's amendments would:  

• Double the investment in creating new sidewalks in areas that don’t have them, especially in areas shown to be most needed in my District 1, and also Districts 2 and 5;  
• Double the investment in creating safe routes to schools to keep Seattle’s kids safe; and   
• Triple the funding to increase safety and security on public transit.

The changes would bring the total package to $1.55 billion, compared to $1.45 billion under Mayor Bruce Harrell’s proposal. If passed, the anticipated annual property tax bill for the median home would be $499 compared to $469 under the mayor’s proposal.

Since his first proposal, Chair Saka worked closely with his council colleagues, constituents, and other stakeholders to get feedback, create consensus, and fine-tune the levy proposal. On June 28, he released an updated package that would focus on investing in safety, economy, and climate:

• $160.5 million in Vision Zero and school and neighborhood safety
• $423 million in street maintenance and modernization
• $221 million in bridge infrastructure and safety
• $151 million in improving transit corridors and connections
• $193 million in pedestrian safety
• $100 million to install and maintain traffic signals and improve mobility
• $113.5 million for bicycle safety
• $66.5 million to activate public spaces, neighborhoods, and business districts
• $69 million to better address climate change, protect the environment, and increase our tree canopy
• $45 million for economy-focused improvements to our freight transportation system
• $7.5 million for good governance, oversight, and property tax relief education

Council Meetings on the Transportation Levy

The Select Committee on the 2024 Transportation Levy has been meeting since May 7. They expect to cast final votes on the proposed levy package in early July. 

Information about the Proposed Transportation Levy

• View the proposed legislation
• View a presentation that gives an overview of the proposed levy
• Read a memo about the mayor’s proposed levy
• Watch Chair Saka’s remarks about the levy
• Read a memo about the Council’s proposed amendments

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why does a levy exist in the first place? Isn’t funding for things like pothole repair, repaving, and bridge maintenance already covered by the City’s budget?
  • Under State law, property tax revenue growth is strictly limited to 1% per year (plus the value of new construction) – which is not currently adequate to cover many basic city services in the absence of a voter-approved levy.
    
    In the early 2000s, this limit was imposed in State Initiative-747 and subsequent legislative action. Prior to these State law changes, additional funds raised by a levy were generally considered “additive” to existing City-funded services.
    
    Given the compounding effect of the 1% property tax cap over time, municipalities such as Seattle have become increasingly reliant on voter-approved levies to fund essential City transportation services, including pothole repair and bridge maintenance. That’s why the existing, expiring levy accounts for 30% of the Seattle of Department of Transportations’ total budget. Voter-approved levies that used to fund the “nice to haves” are now being used to cover the “must-haves."

• How big is the current is the expiring levy? And how big is the new, proposed levy?
  • The levy proposed by Mayor Bruce Harrell was an 8-year, $1.45 billion levy. Chair Saka’s amendments would bring the total to $1.55 billion.

• How much money would this proposed levy cost the median Seattle homeowner?
  • The mayor’s proposal would cost the median Seattle home $469 annually for 8 years. Chair Saka’s amended version would cost $499 a year, $30 more.

• What will this new levy pay for?
  • The mayor’s version of the levy would primarily invest in 10 categories:
    1. Vision Zero, School and Neighborhood Safety ($162 million): Vision Zero, Safe Routes to School, Aurora Avenue N Safety, Neighborhood-Initiated Safety Partnership Program, and District Project Fund
    2. Street Maintenance and Modernization ($423 million): Arterial Roadway Maintenance, Paving Spot Improvements, and Markings.
    3. Bridges and Structures ($221 million): Bridge Structural Repairs and Upgrades, Bridge Preventative Maintenance, Project Readiness, and Areaways.
    4. Transit Corridors and Connections ($145 million): Transit Spot Improvements, Transit Passenger Safety, and Transit Improvements and Access to Light Rail.
    5. Pedestrian Safety ($135 million): New Sidewalks, Sidewalk Safety Repair, Sidewalk and Infrastructure Solutions, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Program, Stairways, and Crossing Improvements.
    6. Signals and Operations ($100 million): Traffic Signal Timing, Traffic Signals and Maintenance, Sign Maintenance, and Transportation Operations.
    7. Bicycle Safety ($114 million): Neighborhood Greenways, Bike Lane Maintenance, Projected Bike Lanes, Upgraded Bike Lanes, and Bike Spot Improvements.
    8. People Streets and Public Spaces ($66 million): People Streets Capital Projects, Downtown Activation, People Streets and Wayfinding Maintenance, and Pedestrian Lighting.
    9. Climate and Resiliency ($59 million): Climate and Electrification Program, Low Pollution Neighborhoods, and Urban Forestry.
    10. Freight and Goods Movement ($25 million): Freight Spot Improvements and Heavy Haul Network.

• How can I be sure that tax dollars are being spent responsibly?
  • The Seattle Department of Transportation makes quarterly and annual reports on the levy’s spending progress, and there is a Levy Oversight Committee to ensure the funds are being spent as intended.

How to Make Your Voice Heard

The Select Committee on the 2024 Transportation Levy hosted two public hearings, one each in May and June. But, it’s not too late to make sure your voice is heard!

• You can submit your comments and questions to councilmembers via email. Addressing your message to council@seattle.gov will send it to all nine council offices. 
• You can give public comment at any of the remaining meetings of the Select Committee on the 2024 Transportation Levy. This webpage has more information about how you can sign up.  

Next Steps

If the proposed levy is passed by the Select Committee, then it will be submitted to King County Elections and appear on the 2024 November ballot.

Other Resources

• Select Committee on the 2024 Transportation Levy
• Levy to Move Seattle homepage
• Current levy materials, like annual reports
• Current levy reporting dashboard

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