Service impacts: This option will allow Everett Transit to slowly restore some of the service cut during the COVID-19 pandemic, but would not provide enough revenue to grow service beyond what existed pre-COVID-19. This option will:

• Allow Everett Transit to pay operating and capital costs and make some small service improvements.
• Not allow Everett Transit to keep up with growing jobs and population in Everett.

Service improvements will happen slowly within the next ten years. The service level provided by mid-March 2021 will remain the service level for several years into the future.

Funding sources: This option would maintain the current local transit tax rate (currently 0.6%, or 6 cents on a $10 taxable purchase). If Everett experiences significant economic growth, which could spur more sales tax revenue, it may allow for more small improvements in transit services.

Service impacts: This option will provide moderate growth in transit service within the City of Everett within a ten-year period. The improvements will:

• Increase frequency of local bus service.
• Expand operating hours in the mornings, evenings, and on weekends.
• Expand access to jobs within Everett for Everett residents.

The moderate increase in funding for this option means these service improvements would occur gradually, as Everett Transit expands its fleet, facilities, and workforce to provide more service. However, the funding level for this option would limit the ability of the transit system to provide adequate service for Everett residents as the city grows. The local service improvements under this option within the next ten years will be similar to the improvements achieved in the Growth through Consolidation option in two years.

Funding sources: To implement this option, the local transit sales tax (0.6%) would be increased by 0.3% (3 cents on a $10 taxable purchase) to reach a total local transit sales tax of 0.9% (9 cents on a $10 taxable purchase). Increasing the local transit sales tax requires approval by Everett voters and is the maximum allowable to Everett Transit under current state law.

Service impacts: This option will involve merging Everett Transit with Community Transit, the regional transit provider. The option will provide the greatest amount of transit service throughout the city and its neighborhoods, expanding access to transit for the largest number of Everett residents, as well as improving service into nearby Snohomish County areas. The improvements will:

• Increase bus routes and frequency of bus service.
• Expand access to jobs for Everett residents.
• Reduce walk time to bus stops.
• Expand operating hours in the mornings, evenings, and on weekends.

Service improvements will be significant within the first two years. Service provided by the merged transit agency would shorten transit travel times, reduce riders' need to transfer, and integrate transit services between Everett and other parts of Snohomish County. These improvements would require that voters approve the City of Everett joining the Community Transit service area.

Funding sources: To implement this option, the current local transit sales tax (0.6%) would be increased by 0.6% (6 cents on a $10 taxable purchase) to reach a total of 1.2% (12 cents on a $10 taxable purchase) in Everett. This is because state law requires the transit sales tax levied by Community Transit to be uniform throughout the service boundaries of Community Transit.