Resource Groups

Budget & Taxes -

Capital Budgeting

The Council remains committed to ongoing dialogue with state agencies to maintain adequate funding for design services and to discuss, develop, and implement improved programming and design processes, methods of contracting, contract administration, and project delivery with the intent of maximizing the efficient use of public funds while maintaining equitable business relationships with consulting entities.

The Council supports the concept of determining the budgeting and delivery of planning funds in advance of capital construction funding to ensure that public funds are effectively and efficiently utilized. The Council also believes that providing for a responsible and efficient level of facility maintenance is critical to preserving these facilities and protecting the full value of this investment.

Taxes

The Council believes the B&O tax is onerous for design firms practicing architecture in this state. The service sector of Washington has traditionally paid a higher rate that other sectors. The Council supports repealing the tax credit against the B&O tax due and replacing it with an exemption on the monthly “gross income of the business.” The Council believes the Legislature should adopt a fair and equitable tax policy that would tax each firm only on the proceeds each firm has earned.

The Council opposes any legislation that imposes a sales tax on design services.

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Community -

The Council is committed to the maintenance and enhancement of Washington State’s communities. This commitment includes the support of environmentally sound and socially responsible development and re-development of rural, suburban, and urban places in ways that make clear, positive contributions to the health, safety, welfare, and quality of life for citizens.

Design of State Funded Transportation Systems

The Council recommends that as transportation expenditures are considered, the Legislature enact mechanisms to require that all transportation projects incorporate designs that reinforce the aesthetic character and quality of local communities, specifically projects utilizing state funds such as bridges, railings, sound barriers, retaining walls, buildings, and similar elements of transportation systems and facilities include quality of design as part of the evaluation system for contracts to be awarded by state and local jurisdictions, to ensure a positive impact on our local communities.

Historic Preservation

The Council supports historic preservation and landmark designation, preservation of historic districts, incentives, codes and zoning regulations, architectural records, and education with the purpose of supporting preservation.

Housing

The Council supports a state commitment to policies that provide a steady and economically diverse flow of housing opportunities.

Transportation

The Council supports the funding of our transportation systems at responsible levels to provide for proper maintenance of our existing networks and to provide for new construction of networks that are not meeting current or projected demand.

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