Gig Harbor City Council considers cultural access program and 1% sales tax vote options

During the Gig Harbor City Council meeting on March 10, 2025, discussions centered around the proposed Cultural Access Program, which could be funded by a 0.1% sales tax. This tax is projected to generate approximately $1 million annually for the city. The council is considering whether to impose this tax directly or to place it on a ballot for voters to decide.

The council previously discussed this initiative during their February 28 retreat, where they expressed the need for more public feedback before moving forward. In response to community interest, the council has outlined four options for action regarding the Cultural Access Program. These options include preparing an ordinance to establish the program and implement the sales tax, with the stipulation that voter approval may be required. The council must decide whether to schedule this vote for August or November.

Another option is to bring the program back for further discussion at a future meeting, while the fourth option would involve removing the program from future work plans altogether. The meeting also featured public comments, indicating significant community interest in the proposal.

Council members raised clarifying questions about the nature of the vote and the timeline for drafting the necessary ordinance. Concerns were expressed regarding the capacity of the community development department to handle the ordinance alongside ongoing projects, such as updates to the comprehensive plan.

As the council weighs these options, the outcome of this discussion could have lasting implications for cultural funding and community engagement in Gig Harbor. The next steps will depend on the council's decision on how to proceed with the Cultural Access Program and the potential sales tax.