Tonight at 6:00pm, the new Moses Lake Transportation Benefit District Board will hear and vote on two resolutions – to impose a $20 annual car tab licensing fee, or a voter-approved 0.2 percent sales tax.

The Board can impose the $20 car tab fee without voter approval and can increase the fee in two years to $40, and to $50 two years after that.

A sales tax increase requires voter approval and $3,000 - $10,000 in special election costs. This amount would be reduced if the referendum is included in the November general election instead.

According to public officials, the city would expect $333,000 each year from the car tab fee increase. The money would fund transportation improvements, including the maintenance and preservation of pavement that took a hit during cold winter months.

Although state law allows the creation of transportation benefit districts and imposing limited car tab fee increases without a public vote, a voter referendum is more democratic and transparent.

One councilmember expressed concern that the board would have to take out a loan to pay for the measure being on the special election ballot, only to potentially see people vote it down. However, if the transportation projects have value and the city communicates effectively what that value is, then they should not worry what voters will choose.

Moreover, if $3,000 - $10,000 election costs are a concern to the city, which has a $50.9 million comprehensive annual budget for this year, then they can choose to let citizens vote on a car tab fee (or sales tax increase) in the general election instead.

Public officials are not automatically entitled to public dollars, no matter the value of the projects they wish to fund. The city of Moses Lake, like the City of Richland, has an opportunity to model honest and accountable government by letting people vote on whether they want their tax dollars spent on the projects the city has proposed.