Courtesy of the Tacoma News Tribune 4/9/12

City of Auburn – A successful six-year levy in 2004, Save Our Streets, funded residential street projects in Auburn. Now voters are being asked to approve SOS Phase II – a $59 million, 20-year bond issue for improvements to high-traffic arterials.

The owner of a $250,000 home would see an annual tax increase of $36 to $96 in years one through five, $96 to $113 in years six to 15 and declining taxes thereafter.

State funding for local roads has declined sharply in recent years, and little federal money is available. So if Auburn’s arterials are to be improved, local money must be raised. This measure appears to be well planned by the city with input from a community task force and will have citizen oversight through an advisory board. Voters should approve it.