Snohomish County holds town hall on proposed public safety sales tax

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – Elected officials in Snohomish County hosted a virtual public safety town hall Wednesday to discuss Proposition 1, the public safety sales tax.

Led by Warden David Somers, Sheriff Susanna Johnson and Prosecutor Jason Cummings, voters had the opportunity to ask questions about the sales tax increase and what new resources it would provide if approved in November.

“We know the public has been asking for creative solutions to the drug crisis because of the negative impacts it has on individuals, businesses and our community,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “We must ensure accountability for those who commit crimes, while showing compassion to ensure people get the help they need.”

Public Safety Sales Tax Proposition 1 was unanimously put to a vote by the Snohomish County Council on July 10.

The funds would be divided between the province (60%) and the cities (40%) to ensure accountability.

If Proposition 1 passes, Snohomish County has committed to:

• Snohomish County will be able to hire more law enforcement officers to ensure cartels, drug dealers and criminals are held accountable.
• The province will be able to add more resources to the prosecution, public defense and the courts to ensure we can prosecute those arrested for crimes.
• The county will establish a Secure Withdrawal Management facility in Snohomish County to provide more capacity for those who need to get clean, significantly increasing the 77 beds now available statewide.
• Snohomish County would establish a second community center like Carnegie, which has proven successful in helping people connect with services.
• The county would expand addiction treatment services in our jail.
• The province would set up programs to address graffiti, abandoned vehicles and other visible signs of the crisis.

Although Snohomish County’s population has grown rapidly, the number of law enforcement officers has not kept pace, said District Attorney Jason Cummings.

Washington’s per capita workforce is actually the lowest in the U.S. at 1.36 officers per thousand residents, even though the District spends more than 75% of its general fund on public safety agencies.

If approved by voters, the levy would cost 2 cents per $10 purchase. It is estimated that the tax would cost the average resident less than a dollar a week.

The sales tax revenue would be split, with 60% going to Snohomish County and the remaining 40% going to the cities, based on population, depending on whether they have passed their own local sales tax.

More than 50% of the funding would be used by the province for criminal justice purposes and the remainder for other public safety priorities.