CHENEY, Wash. — Cheney voters will head to the ballot box to decide on a tax that directly impacts the infrastructure they rely on daily: their streets and sidewalks.
Proposition 1, officially known as the Residential Street Utility Tax, would renew and increase the city’s tax on electric and natural gas bills. Currently set at 4 percent, the proposed increase would raise it to 6 percent, bringing the total combined utility tax rate to 16.75 percent. The revenue generated would go toward maintenance and preservation of streets and sidewalks throughout the city.
The current tax rate has remained unchanged since 1998 and is scheduled to expire at the end of December. The Cheney City Council approved placing this measure on the ballot in April, arguing that the renewal and 2 percent increase is necessary to keep pace with infrastructure repair costs.
“We are not keeping up with our roads,” a city official said. “Back in 1998 we were able to do 1.2 miles of roads per year. Today we are lucky to get 900 feet. It is just the cost, the tax has not kept up for the cost of the streets.”
Community members interviewed about the proposal expressed mixed reactions. While many support the goal of improving Cheney’s streets and sidewalks — noting that several road improvement projects are currently underway — some residents expressed hesitation about paying higher taxes to fund these projects.
If voters approve Proposition 1, the rate increase will remain in effect for the next 14 years.
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