Tumwater voters overwhelmingly renew tax supporting road and sidewalk repairs
Residents of the city of Tumwater voted Tuesday in a special election to renew the Transportation Benefit District (TBD) sales tax that helps build, maintain and improve Tumwater roads, sidewalks and other transportation infrastructure.
Proposition No. 1 calls for a renewal of a 0.2% sales tax for the TBD for an additional 10 years. Voters passed the initiative by a 76.4% vote of approval, or 3,308 votes.
Voter turnout was 22.95%, according to the Thurston County Auditor’s site.
For people buying items in Tumwater, the tax will remain the same as it is now. If you spend $100, 20 cents goes to the TBD.
Background of the TBD
TBD funding is used to preserve, maintain and expand transportation infrastructure within city limits, according to the city’s website.
Since 2015, the TBD has funded more than 100 lane miles of road improvements, more than 100 new curb ramps, and almost 50,000 tons of asphalt for Tumwater roads.
It helped fund bicycle and pedestrian improvements at Israel Road and Linderson Way, and the citywide National Highway System Resurfacing Project. Yearly pavement maintenance is also paid for by the funds, and so are other sidewalk and bike lane improvements that come up.
This story was originally published April 23, 2025 at 9:59 AM.
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