Community Transit

Annexation

Community Transit’s Proposition 1, the proposed annexation of the Cathcart/Clearview/Maltby area, will be on the Nov. 4 ballot for people who live in those areas. The measure requires a simple majority to pass; if approved, those areas would join the Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA), or service district. By joining the district, the area would be eligible for all Community Transit services, including local and commuter buses, paratransit, vanpools and rideshare options.

The area included in Community Transit’s Prop. 1 is about 32 square miles located east of Bothell and Mill Creek, and south of Snohomish to the King County line.

This measure is separate from Sound Transit’s Proposition 1, which would fund expanded Sound Transit services. The two proposals have no connection.

Annexation into the Community Transit PTBA would increase sales tax in the area by 0.9 percent (nine-tenths of 1 percent), or 9 cents on a $10 taxable purchase, the same as is collected in all PTBA communities. There would be no change to property taxes.

Earlier this year the Board approved the agency’s Transit Development Plan, which identified the Cathcart/Clearview/Maltby area as a priority for future service. However, buses and facilities could be added only if it became part of Community Transit’s service area.

If the measure is approved, Community Transit will hold meetings next year with interested local residents to develop specific transit service plans.

Cathcart/Clearview/Maltby Annexation FAQ

Q. What is Community Transit proposing?
A.

• For an area to have Community Transit bus service, it needs to be part of the agency’s transit district, formally known as the Public Transportation Benefit Area, or PTBA.
• Community Transit is proposing the bring the Cathcart/Clearview/Maltby area into its PTBA.
• Community Transit provides regular bus service within its transit district, or to areas outside the district with extremely high demand for service, such as Everett, downtown Seattle and the University of Washington.
• Areas within Community Transit’s service district are also considered for DART paratransit service and park & ride facilities.

Q. What will it cost me if my area joins the PTBA?
A.

• Areas within Community Transit’s PTBA are taxed 0.9 percent (nine-tenths of one percent) sales tax, or nine cents for every $10 purchase, to support transit service.
• About 70 percent of Community Transit funding comes from this sales tax. Other revenues come from fares, advertising, and state and local grants. Community Transit does not collect any property tax.
• Residents who live outside Community Transit’s service district but who shop within the agency’s PTBA, which is most of Snohomish County, may already be paying the Community Transit tax.

Q. When would we get bus service?
A.

• Community Transit’s Transportation Development Plan, adopted in January, calls for annexing this area to allow for transit service along major north-south and east-west county corridors.
• If the annexation is approved, Community Transit will work with local residents to develop service options that could be implemented as quickly as possible.
• Destinations could include Woodinville, Seattle, Everett, Bothell, Lynnwood, Snohomish and Monroe. From these locations, passengers could connect to service to other destinations.
• Key corridors such as Highway 9, Cathcart Way, Maltby Road and 228th Street are areas likely to be identified for service.

Q. What about DART paratransit service?
A.

• In order for an area to receive Dial-A-Ride Transportation (DART) paratransit service, there needs to be a local bus route. People within three-fourths of a mile of a local bus route who qualify for DART can request paratransit service.
• DART provides transportation for people whose disability or condition prevents them from using Community Transit regular route buses. DART paratransit service can take a qualified customer to locations within three-fourths of a mile of a Community Transit local, non-commuter bus route, during the hours that the bus route runs in that area.

Q. Why is Community Transit considering expanding now?
A.

• By bringing the Cathcart/Clearview/Maltby area into Community Transit’s district, residents in that area would have the option to use the bus to travel to nearby cities and residents from elsewhere in the county could use the bus to get to this area.

Q. Has the size of the annexation area been changed?
A.

• The original annexation area under review was 45 square miles and included some rural areas north of the Snohomish River.
• The current annexation area on the ballot is 32 square miles.