County may ask for sales tax increase

Spokane County residents will likely vote on another sales tax increase this September.

Voters in May approved a .3 percent sales tax increase for the Spokane Transit Authority. Now, Spokane County commissioners are likely to put a .1 percent sales tax on the September primary ballot.

This time, one-third of the tax would go to improve criminal justice, including courts and police, and the other two-thirds would be earmarked for public safety.

“The fact of the matter is that the criminal justice system is consuming more and more of the general fund,” said Commissioner Kate McCaslin.

“I would never approve it without a vote, but if the people support it, I’m OK,” McCaslin added.

Commissioners will vote next week on whether to put it on the Sept. 14 ballot.

The tax would add 10 cents to a $100 purchase. It’s projected it could raise $6 million annually, with the proceeds being split among all Spokane County jurisdictions.

Spokane County would get the largest share, about $3.6 million a year, followed by Spokane, with $1.5 million, and Spokane Valley, with $637,000.

Smaller towns such as Latah and Waverly would get from $1,000 to $1,500.

Even that could be a big boost for them, said McCaslin.

As it was explained Tuesday morning, the tax revenues could be used for wide-ranging budget issues as long as they relate to criminal justice or public safety. Public safety could be defined as anything related to people’s welfare, including public health or building maintenance projects if conditions pose a safety hazard, said Spokane County attorney Jim Emacio.

Commissioner John Roskelley expressed some reservations about the proposed ballot issue, saying that it needs to be more specific about what will be funded and that officials may be relying too much on increasing sales taxes.

“One concern is the sales tax is under attack by almost every group in need of money,” he said.

Other proposals across the state have considered the sales tax as a possible funding source for everything from economic development to education.

Washington counties were authorized by the state Legislature in 2003 to seek up to .3 percent sales tax. Motor vehicle sales and leases are exempt.

Pierce County’s effort to win voter authorization of its sales tax failed last November.

The state law says that counties must use one-third of the tax for criminal justice but the remaining two-thirds can be used for any other purpose the county decides. McCaslin said she’d like to expand the county’s ballot proposition to include funding for economic development.

The money can’t be used to supplant existing funding. But the county could use it to add to existing services or facilities, such as adding new beds at the jail or Geiger Corrections Center.

“Right now we’re bleeding, but we can’t use the money to stop it. We can only use it to stop us from bleeding more,” said Harris.

Only counties can put the tax to a public vote, even though jurisdictions within their boundaries stand to benefit.

“In other words, the cities get a free ride,” said Harris of their ability to gain the revenue without having to endure the wrath of their anti-tax constituents.

Still, Harris said the small towns’ need for additional funding is the main reason he’ll support putting the tax on the September ballot.

“If it was only the unincorporated county, I’d be reluctant to do it,” he said.

Officials at several local cities contacted Tuesday said they were unaware of the proposal, and were unprepared to endorse it or fight it.

“We can always use additional funds for public safety and our courts,” said Cheney Mayor Amy Jo Sooy, who added that the city has been able to shift some funds to its police department since voters there approved an energy tax for the city’s parks department.

Spokane Valley Mayor Mike DeVleming said that his city, like most other local jurisdictions, could use the money, but he isn’t familiar enough with the proposal to say whether it’s warranted.

As for its chances of success, DeVleming said, “I think the voters are pretty savvy. You’d better explain exactly what you’re going to do with the tax or I don’t think you’re going to have a whole lot of luck.”