Road Fix Could Cost Some Big Tax Dollars

City officials are looking at a number of ways to make major street repairs in Yakima. The city estimates it will cost $30 million dollars to fix Yakima's crumbling roads and improve intersection safety. That's thirty million the city doesn't have. However our news partner KIMA Action News says a new report not only looks at a possible street bond for voters, but a utility tax increase of 6% applied to water, sewer and garbage. Another option the city might consider is a license renewal fee. This could cost up to $20 dollars to get your license renewed, and will generate $30 million dollars over a 10-year period for the city when combined with taxes raised from the 6% utilities increase. Public Works Director Chris Waarvick says this is considered the pay-as-you-go method. This means money is raised directly from tax-payers over a period of time, without having to pay millions in interest like we would with a bond.