Tacoma voters faced $320 million streets and sidewalks measure

Tacoma’s Connect Tacoma: Safe Streets and Sidewalks Proposition 1 appeared on the Aug. 4, 2026, primary ballot as a proposed 10-year transportation investment. The city estimated the plan could generate about $320 million, combining $200 million in voter-approved funding with $90 million in grants and $30 million in partnership contributions.

The proposal included a property-tax increase of 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed value and a 1.5% utility-earnings tax on natural gas, electricity and phone utilities. Tacoma estimated the combined cost for an average homeowner at about $10.43 per month, or $125.16 per year. Qualifying residents would remain eligible for senior and disability property-tax exemptions.

What the proposal would fund

Planned work included arterial maintenance, neighborhood street paving and pothole repairs, sidewalks, Americans with Disabilities Act access, safe routes to school, trails and traffic-calming projects. The city’s allocation framework put about 50% toward safer major streets, 26% toward neighborhood streets and 24% toward improved connections.

The Tacoma City Council adopted an updated resolution sending the proposition to the Pierce County Auditor. If approved by a simple majority, the utility-earnings tax increase would take effect Jan. 1, 2027. The city’s public Connect Tacoma page does not report whether Proposition 1 passed or failed. The next step is the release and certification of official election results.