SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Spokane Valley voters will decide in August whether to approve a sales tax increase that would fund 10 new police officer positions and raise the city’s sales tax rate to 9%.
The ballot measure would increase the sales tax by one-tenth of one percent, costing each household an estimated $30 per year or about $12.43 per person annually. On a $100 purchase, the increase would add 10 cents in additional tax.
City officials say they need funding for at least 20 positions within the police department to meet Spokane Valley’s public safety needs. The city said the proposed tax increase would help fill half of those positions while promising lower emergency response times and improved response to homelessness.
“We’re looking at things like patrol deputies, trying to get more officers on the street at any time and increasing our minimum staffing levels,” said Councilmember Ben Wick. “We’re looking at school resource officers. Right now we provide a deputy for each of the high schools.”
The city also plans to add officers dedicated to property crimes, drug crimes and homeless services if the measure passes.
City leaders said they chose to pursue a sales tax increase rather than raising property taxes in an effort to reduce the financial burden on Spokane Valley residents. According to city data, about 48% of sales tax revenue comes from non-residents who shop in the city.
August ballots will be mailed to voters in mid-July. The deadline to return completed ballots is Aug. 5.
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