SENATE RESOLUTION
8607
By Senators Lovelett, Chapman, Dhingra, Orwall, Valdez, J. Wilson, and Warnick
WHEREAS, A 1983 public works report commissioned by the Washington State Legislature found that local governments of the State of Washington projected more than $2 billion in critical infrastructure needs at that time; and
WHEREAS, To support Washington State local governments in the financing of critical infrastructure projects, the 1985 Washington State Legislature created the Washington State Public Works Board and Public Works Assistance Account through chapter 466, Laws of 1985; and
WHEREAS, The Public Works Board is composed of 13 members appointed by the governor; three representing cities, three representing counties, three jointly representing water-sewer districts and public utility districts, and four representing the general public; and
WHEREAS, The Public Works Board is responsible for administering Public Works Assistance Account funds in the form of low-interest loans and grants to Washington State counties, cities, water and sewer districts, and public utility districts to finance essential drinking water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, road, bridge, and solid waste infrastructure projects; and
WHEREAS, The Public Works Assistance Account is a revolving loan fund that uses Public Works Board-awarded project loan repayments and percentages of the Washington State real estate excise tax, public utility tax, and solid waste tax to generate monies for additional infrastructure-funded projects; and
WHEREAS, Since its creation, the Public Works Board has invested nearly $3.5 billion in more than 2,200 projects supporting essential infrastructure to the direct benefit of residents and businesses in every county and across cities and towns in the State of Washington; and
WHEREAS, Just in the past six years, awards by the Public Works Board have saved local governments $188 million in interest rate savings and grants, helping keep utility rates affordable; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Public Works Board and Public Works Assistance Account in providing a viable option for local governments to finance critical infrastructure projects has been recognized and emulated by other states across the nation; and
WHEREAS, In the 2023-2025 biennium, the Public Works Board awarded $392 million in loans and grants for construction projects, $15 million in loans and grants for preconstruction projects, and $8.5 million in loans and grants for emergency infrastructure projects; and