Should All Pierce County Taxpayers Pay for Flood Issues in the Puyallup Valley?

Starting next year, Pierce County residents in the flood control tax district will pay more annually to support flood projects.

The County Council’s flood control board voted 5-2 Wednesday to approve a property tax of 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, which costs the average homeowner about $25 per year. The tax is scheduled to begin in February.

Revenue from the tax will pay for preventative projects, like levee infrastructure. A 10 percent portion will be set aside for stormwater and flood improvements across individual cities and unincorporated areas.

There has been much debate on the issue, as many who live out of the flood zone—on Bonney Lake’s plateau, in Gig Harbor, Lakewood and University Place—don’t believe they should pay for flooding issues in the Puyallup Valley. Supporters of the tax increase argue that flooding in the Valley affects everyone when it comes to trade and commerce, roads and damage control—experts say a major flood in Pierce County could do over $700 million in damage.

Adopting the tax required a five-member majority, and it passed 5-2 with councilman Dan Roach (R-Bonney Lake) and Dick Muri (R-Lakewood) voting no.

Read more about the council debate on this issue in The Tacoma News Tribune.

What do you think? Should all residents pay to protect a portion of Pierce County prone to flooding? Tell us in the comments.