Drafter
Clerk 10/25/2005
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AN ORDINANCE adopting a methodology for the allocation of taxicab license; authorizing the director of the department of executive services to withhold certain taxicab licenses; prohibiting the transfer of new taxicab licenses; and amending Ordinance 10498, Section 89, as amended, and K.C.C. 6.64.700 and Ordinance 10498, Section 90, as amended, and K.C.C. 6.64.710.
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BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Ordinance 10498, Section 89, and K.C.C. 6.64.700 are hereby amended to read as follows:
Taxicab((.)) - ((M))maximum number.
A. The King County council finds that the safety, reliability and economic viability of privately operated taxi transportation is a matter of county concern and regulation of that type of transportation is an essential government function. The council further finds that the maximum number of taxicab licenses ((in effect as of May 31, 1991, is)) sufficient to provide the public adequate taxicab service is five hundred sixty-one. The council further finds that some previously issued licenses have reverted to the county and that the demand for service has grown to the extent that the issuance of additional taxicab licenses from within the number of reverted licenses may be justified. The council further finds that the escalating cost of a taxicab license as it is transferred between parties may be reflected in higher costs to the customer and may diminish the owner's ability to maintain an upgrade his or her vehicle.
B. The total number of taxicab licenses issued shall not exceed five hundred sixty-one. The director also shall deny issuance of new taxicab licenses from within the number of reverted licenses as specified by this section unless he or she determines that there is demand for additional taxi service.
C. The following methodology shall be used to determine whether to issue new taxicab licenses:
1. The director shall periodically make a determinatio...
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