HomeMy WebLinkAbout2911 AN ORDINANCE levying and providing for collection of
a transit subsidy tax of not to exceed $1.00 per
month per housing or business unit as herein defined
and declaring penalties; and declaring an emergency.
WHEREAS, a privately owned company now operating the public
bus passenger transportation system in this City has indicated that it
will cease all scheduled bus operation within the next few months and
the City Council deems it in the best interests of the people of the
City that a municipally subsidized and/or operated bus transportation
system be initiated to serve the people of this City;
THE CITY OF BREMERTON DOES ORDAIN:
Section 1. Pursuant to Chapter 35.95 of the Revised Code of
Washington and commencing October 1, 1970, an excise tax hereinafter
called a transit subsidy tax is levied in the amount of 60¢ per month
per housing or business unit within the City of Bremerton. Revenues
received from this tax shall be used for transit purposes only. The
City Council by subsequent ordinance or ordinances may raise or lower
such tax, and in setting the amount of such tax shall be governed by the
financial need of the transit system in its operation, expansion and
improvements. In no case shall the tax herein authorized b~ raised by
the Council to exceed $1.00 for each month for each housing unit as
hereinafter defined. Water customers whose facilities do not include
any housing unit shall each pay the same rate as established for a
housing unit. The term "housing unit" as used herein means the residence
or living quarters of one or more persons living together or of one
family. Where any structure or portion thereof contains one or more
housing or business units and the occupants thereof are not each billed
for the water service furnished by the City for such unit, the person
who is billed for such water service shall be deemed to be served and
billed thereof and shall be billed and shall pay the monthly tax on
each living unit as herein levied and provided for on each and every
housing unit or units. A billing for the tax hereby levied shall be
rendered by the City Finance Department at the same time as each regular
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water service billing is rendered, and the billing for such item shall
be included as an item on each service billing and shall be identified
as a transit subsidy tax. Payment of such tax shall be made at the time
payment is made for such water service. Ail proceeds from such transit
subsidy tax and all revenues from the bus system shall be forthwith paid
into a fund hereby established and designated as a "Municipal Transit
Fund" under the Department of Finance. Money so received and deposited in
said fund shall be used only for the operation, maintenance and capital
needs of the public bus transportation established by this ordinance.
If the City shall ever cease the subsidy or operation of the transit
system, the tax herein imposed shall be deemed rescinded as soon as all
transit obligations have been met. It shall be unlawful for any person
served by and billed for any Water service to refuse to pay the transit
subsidy tax as herein required. Any person who violates the provisions
of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction
thereof in Bremerton Municipal Court shall be punished by fine of not
to exceed $300.00.
Section 2. If any section or part of any section of this
or.dinance shall be declared invalid for any reason by any court, such
invalidity shall not affect the validity of other sections of this
ordinance.
Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE: That an emergency exists
affecting the public peace, health, safety and welfare of the citizens
of the City of Bremerton, and this ordinance shall take effect
immediately following passage and publication.
PASSED unanimously on first reading by the City Council of
the City of Bremerton, signed by the Mayor and attested b~ the City
Clerk in authentication of such passage this .~C,~ day of .~,l~,e,, ,
1970. ~
~.. C. ~,'~DON, SR., ~ty Clerk
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