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Council approves ordinance to enact Public Safety Sales and Use Tax; staff to return with spending plan
Summary
Edmonds City Council approved an ordinance on Aug. 19 enacting a public safety sales and use tax; council members said the tax will help fund public‑safety needs and make the city eligible for related state grants, and staff said collection could begin after the next budget cycle with implementation details to follow.
The Edmonds City Council voted on Aug. 19 to adopt an ordinance enacting a local Public Safety Sales and Use Tax after a staff presentation by Community, Culture and Economic Development Director Todd Tatum and remarks from Police Chief Dawkins.
Why it matters: Council members said proceeds will support public safety priorities and noted the tax can also make the city eligible for related state grant programs. Councilmember Olson said the tax would help meet growing public defender costs and other criminal justice expenses that are not fully funded by the general fund.
Council discussion and implementation questions: Councilmembers discussed grant matching, reporting and allowable uses. Councilmember Dasch warned that receipt of some related grants can include salary caps and match requirements and emphasized transparency on how funds will be used. Staff said the earliest possible collection date is Jan. 1 and that a mid‑biennium budget update will show any initial allocations and allow council review. One council member asked whether contracting to the sheriff would affect eligibility; staff said the issue was not yet flagged as a current constraint but that state guidance is still evolving.
Vote: The motion to approve the ordinance in the packet passed unanimously Aug. 19.
Ending: Staff will present a more detailed spending and implementation plan and reporting framework to the council in follow‑up budget work so that allocations align with council priorities and grant‑matching opportunities.
