Overview

The Friday Harbor Transportation Benefit District exists to improve the Town's transportation infrastructure. Its boundaries are the same as the Town's boundaries.

Tax Increase Measures

In 2014, voters approved a 0.2% sales and use tax within the District. Based on rates currently applicable in the Town, the total sales and use tax increased from 8.1% to 8.3%. The local portion of the tax increased from 1.6% to 1.8%, while state's portion remains 6.5%.

All consumers making purchases subject to the sales tax in Friday Harbor are taxed equally under the new tax regardless of where they reside. The District uses proceeds from this tax to fund transportation improvements contained in the Town's Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program. The additional sales and use tax may be imposed for either ten years or until financing for the improvements are paid.

Program Improvements

The Program includes improving:

• Curbs
• Grover Street
• Gutters
• Marguerite Place and First Street with new paving
• Sidewalks
• Storm drains and/or streetlights
• Tucker Avenue
• Upgrade to the Spring Street/Mullis Street intersection and crosswalk with high visibility lighting

Street Upgrades

Among these and other unmet infrastructure needs, the District will also support the annual asphalt overlay program to upgrade and maintain priority street and safety conditions.