Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue

A Seattle City Council member is proposing that increased use of automated "speed vans" and red-light cameras help plug a $4.5 million hole in the city's budget created by the decision this week to end the city's controversial "head tax."

Councilmember Nick Licata acknowledged that speed vans and red-light cameras are unpopular with motorists, but he said drivers' disdain might be eased if the revenue were earmarked for safer streets and sidewalks, instead of going into the city's general fund.

Licata said the city would need approval from the Legislature for broader use of the "speed vans," now allowed only in school zones. Although the vans are staffed with officers, the ticket-writing process is automated. The driver's speed is noted and citations are sent out without taking the officer's time to make a stop and prepare a citation.

Licata, who sits on the council's budget and public safety committees, said it's not clear how much revenue the speed vans would bring in, but it would be supplemented by revenue from red-light cameras, being expanded from the original six cameras in 2006 to 30 cameras.

On Thursday, in an 8-1 decision, the council, meeting as the Budget Committee, voted to repeal the city's "head tax," which charges most local businesses $25 per employee to help fund transportation projects, such as streets and sidewalks.

Councilmember Richard McIver cast the lone dissenting vote.

Critics of the tax, adopted in 2006, said it discourages businesses from creating jobs or locating in the city. Unsuccessful mayoral candidate Joe Mallahan campaigned against the tax, and in June, Mayor Greg Nickels and some council members announced they planned to repeal the tax.

Councilmember Tim Burgess said that besides being a burden, the tax was difficult to administer. Employees who commute by transit, car pool, bicycle or on foot were exempt, and there was a complex formula to determine the amount businesses pay for part-time employees.

Council Budget Committee Chair Jean Godden said she favored retaining the tax, but voted with the majority when she realized she was outnumbered.

Jack Broom: 206-464-2222 or jbroom@seattletimes.com