Tacoma Prop 1 Aug. 4: Connect Tacoma Safe Streets and Sidewalks explains costs, projects

Tacoma voters will decide on the Aug. 4, 2026 Primary Election whether to approve Connect Tacoma: Safe Streets and Sidewalks (Proposition 1). City documents describe it as a 10-year street maintenance and safety plan funded through a mix of a utility tax increase and a property-tax levy lid lift.

What Proposition 1 would approve

According to Tacoma’s resolution transmitting the measure to the ballot, Proposition 1 would authorize:

• 1.5% increase in the City’s utility earnings tax on natural gas, electric, and phone utilities for 10 years beginning in 2027 (effective Jan. 1, 2027).
• A $0.20 per $1,000 assessed value increase in the regular property tax levy for 10 years, up to a maximum rate of $1.78 per $1,000 assessed value for 2027 collections.
• Using the 2027 levy amount as the basis to calculate subsequent levies through 2036.

The measure materials also note that qualifying seniors and others are exempt under state law.

How much it would cost (City estimates)

Tacoma’s resolution and a resident-facing city flyer give estimates for an average Tacoma home:

• Utility earnings tax: approximately $23.64 more per year (about $1.97 per month) for the typical household.
• Property tax: approximately $101.52 more per year (about $8.46 per month) for the average homeowner.
• Estimated combined total: about $10.43 per month (about $125.16 per year) for an average home (estimated at about $507,708 on the flyer).

City materials also describe property-tax exemptions for seniors and people who qualify under existing state relief programs.

What the measure would pay for (10-year categories)

City documents say the overall program is organized into three investment categories, totaling about $320 million over 10 years:

• Better Neighborhood Streets (26%) — about $85 million: street paving and repairs, pothole repairs, sidewalk improvements, and traffic calming.
• Safe Streets for Everyone (50%) — about $159 million: street surface improvements, safety enhancements, freight and economic support, and expanded connections.
• Improve Connections (24%) — about $76 million: Safe Routes to School, sidewalk repairs and new links, ADA accessibility upgrades, and trails and multimodal options.

How the official “For” and “Against” statements work

Tacoma’s City Clerk’s Office issued a public notice seeking residents to serve on the official “For” and “Against” committees. Those committees prepare statements that appear in the Voters’ Pamphlet for the Aug. 4 ballot measure.

Key steps and deadlines in the City Clerk notice:

• Letters of interest due: 12:00 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2026.
• Committee consideration meeting: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. (hybrid format).
• Voters’ Pamphlet statement deadline: “For” and “Against” committee statements are due to the Pierce County Auditor on or before Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
• Rebuttal deadline: rebuttal statements are due on or before Thursday, May 7, 2026.

What to watch next

Keep an eye on the official Voters’ Pamphlet and the “For” and “Against” committee materials. Those statements are where Tacoma voters can compare the arguments side by side before casting a ballot on whether Proposition 1 should launch this 10-year Safe Streets and Sidewalks funding plan.

Sources

• Tacoma Legistar (RES41890) — transmittal of Proposition 1 to the ballot
• Tacoma City Clerk public notice — ‘For’ and ‘Against’ statement committees for Proposition 1
• Pierce County Elections — ‘Put an Issue on the Ballot’ (deadline guidance for statements/rebuttals)

Look for updates to this story

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