(The Center Square) – For the first time in history, Spokane Valley residents will vote on a proposed sales tax increase this August after city officials approved the measure on Tuesday for the upcoming ballot.
The Spokane Valley City Council voted 5-1 on the landmark decision. If approved by residents, the one-tenth of 1% sales tax could fund the city’s next round of police hires. Officials say the revenue could fund at least ten additional officers, following recommendations in 2023 to hire 31.
Meanwhile, recent estimates show the cost of public safety increasing by $4.7 million by 2027, with 10 new hires adding another $1 million annually. The Valley typically sees those expenses rise by 5.2% annually, but the city faces a new reality, averaging 10.9% since 2021.
“Being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars means listening to our citizens,” Mayor Pam Haley wrote in a Wednesday news release. “This ballot measure proposal reflects the voices of our community, and we believe our voters deserve the final say.”
The tax proposal follows the council’s decision not to adopt any of the 1% annual property tax increases allowed under state law since 2009. That path led to a tight budget, with recurring revenues only exceeding expenditures by $411,000 this year, leaving little for new officers.
Several residents blasted the council earlier this month over the tax hike. Some criticized a poll that found that most of the 641 respondents supported raising the sales tax rate to hire officers.
The critics disagreed with city staff, arguing that the poll didn’t reflect the view of most voters. Over 105,000 people live in Spokane Valley, so 641 respondents would only represent less than 1% of residents. According to the release, the Valley has grown by 31% since it became a city in 2004.
“It’s not a waste of money in the sense that we need the officers. We absolutely need the officers,” Councilmember Al Merkel said Tuesday before voting against the decision. “But we should be looking within our own budget to fund our priorities first.”
If approved, city staff estimate the 0.1% increase will cost residents about $12.43 annually, or about $29 per household. The tax levies a dime per $100 spent at the register and could raise about $2.6 million annually, enough to fund the $1 million needed annually for the 10 hires.
The city approved the first round of 10 officers last year, so this proposed sales tax increase would fund the second wave; however, it’s unclear how and when the Valley will hire the remaining 11.
According to the release, calls for service have risen 54% since 2004, with law enforcement answering 50,000 calls every year. Meanwhile, response times for life-threatening calls have increased by 28% since 2020 as the Valley operates with less patrol staff than like-sized cities.
Police Chief Dave Ellis says the revenue could improve response times, neighborhood patrols, investigative abilities, the city’s homelessness response, safe streets and school safety.
“Without this increase in sales tax, we will have to make do with the police force we have, which will lead to burnout and declining response times,” Ellis wrote in the release.
Voters will decide on Aug. 5 whether more officers are worth the hit to their pocketbooks. If not, the Valley may have to continue as is or consider service level cuts to fund the new hires.
