The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Dear Editor,

The City of Dayton decision to seek a sales tax rate increase and to create a Transportation Benefit District is one that is of utmost importance to our community. You only need to drive the streets of Dayton to realize that there is a need to capture dollars that will only be used for street maintenance.

A yes vote will insure that dollars will be set aside to repair, maintain and reconstruct the streets as necessary. Current city tax dollars and existing budget requirements do not allow sufficient funds or reserve to accomplish a major street repair project. By creating a Transportation Benefit District a street maintenance reserve can be established which will enable priority planning and subsequent repair of our streets. Additionally, the Transportation District funds would provide potential leverage for possible state and federal grant revenue.

I ask that you give favorable consideration to the City Council’s decision for a sales tax increase for improved streets in Dayton.

Ted Paterson

Dayton