HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2019-038• Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2019-467
File ID: AB2019-467 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 08/29/2019 Entered by: SMurdoch@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Health Department File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Public Works & Health Committee Final Action: 09/10/2019
Agenda Date: 09/10/2019 Enactment #: RES 2019-038
Primary Contact Email: adeacon@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution of Intent for Substitute House Bill (SHB) 1406 Affordable Housing Dollars
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See Attachment
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
09/10/2019 Council Public Works & Health
Committee
09/10/2019 Council
Action:
RECOMMENDEDFOR
APPROVAL
APPROVED
Sent To:
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 911112019
PROPOSED BY:
INTRODUCTION DATE:
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-038
WHATCOM COUNTY RESOLUTION OF INTENT PURSUANT TO WASHINGTON
STATE LEGISLATIVE SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1406
WHEREAS, in the 2019 Regular Session, the Washington State Legislature approved, and the
Governor signed, Substitute House Bill 1406 (Chapter 338, Laws of 2019) ("SHB 1406"); and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County is a participating county that currently imposes a qualifying local
sales and use tax in accordance with requirements of SHB 1406; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County and its city partners within the county have discussed that cities
will not levy the sales and use tax authorized under SHB 1406; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County and partner cities will coordinate a plan for the additional
revenue; and
WHEREAS, the tax will be credited against state sales taxes collected within Whatcom County
and therefore, will not result in higher sales and use taxes within the County yet will represent an
additional source of funding to address housing needs in the County; and
WHEREAS, the rate of the tax calculated by the State Department of Revenue for Whatcom
County may not exceed .0146%; and
WHEREAS, SHB 1406 authorizes the legislative body of a county to impose a local sales and
use tax for the following purposes: acquisition, construction or rehabilitation of affordable
housing which may include new units of affordable housing within an existing structure, and/or
for facilities providing supportive housing, and for the operations and maintenance costs of new
units of affordable or supportive housing; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County has a population of four hundred thousand or less, the moneys
collected may also be used for providing rental assistance to tenants; and
WHEREAS, the tax must be used to assist persons whose income is at or below sixty percent of
the Whatcom County area median income; and
WHEREAS, the County has a need for supportive and affordable housing units and has
determined that imposing the sales and use tax to address this need will benefit its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the tax imposed by Whatcom County under SHB 1406 expires twenty years after
the date on which the tax is first imposed; and
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WHEREAS, in order for a county to impose the tax, within six months of the effective date of
SHB 1406, or January 28, 2020, the legislative body must adopt a resolution of intent to
authorize the maximum capacity of the tax; and
WHEREAS, within twelve months of the effective date of SHB 1406, or July 28, 2020, a county
must adopt legislation to authorize the maximum capacity of the tax; and
WHEREAS, this resolution constitutes the resolution of intent required by SHB 1406; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council now desires to declare its intent to impose a local
sales and use tax as authorized by SHB 1406 as set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that:
the Whatcom County Council declares its intent to adopt legislation to authorize the
maximum capacity of the sales and use tax authorized by SHB 1406 within one year of
the effective date of SHB 1406, or by July 28, 2020; and
all Whatcom County officials, their agents, and representatives are hereby authorized and
directed to undertake all action necessary or desirable from time to time to carry out the
terms of, and complete the actions contemplated by, this resolution. All acts taken
pursuant to the authority of this resolution but prior to its effective date are hereby
ratified; and
this resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage and adoption.
A( fl�T D iUlp6tU,day of September, 2019
WH OM COUNTY COUNCIL
W C07 C NTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Br6wriZ is71 �lc'rk f tha.. ouncil Rud Browne Council Chair
WHATCOMF;,CC9t9NTY EXECUTIVE
APPROVED ASS, T`O `FORMP
Civil Deputy
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