Council committee to consider resolution to direct portion of possible public safety tax to treatment programs

A council committee will consider whether to recommend directing a portion of potential public safety sales-tax revenue to substance use disorder treatment and recovery programs. At the Governance, Accountability and Economic Development Committee meeting this week, a councilmember introduced Resolution 32174, described as a progressive public safety initiative that would call for up to 25% of any revenue from a possible 0.1% public safety sales tax to be allocated for treatment and recovery.

The resolution’s sponsor said the measure does not itself impose a tax. The sponsor told the committee the measure "calls for directing a portion of its revenue in the event that Mayor Harrell opts to implement the public safety sales tax of point 1% as authorized by the state legislature." The measure is the product of months of stakeholder engagement with local service providers and advocacy groups.

Committee supporters and stakeholders told the committee they see treatment as integral to addressing public-safety and homelessness challenges. The sponsor said the resolution was developed with input from DESC, Evergreen Treatment Services and Dignity Action (noted in committee testimony as partners in the coalition). During committee discussion the sponsor repeated a point made at a prior briefing by an outside stakeholder: "we as a city can insulate individuals and our community from the impact of the Medicaid work requirements by timely and effectively filing verification that people are unable to work," quoting Lisa Dugard, identified in committee testimony as an executive director who testified at the earlier meeting.

Committee staff said the item is scheduled for discussion and possible vote at the committee’s Thursday session. The measure is a council resolution; committee materials and the sponsor clarified during the briefing that a resolution does not itself change tax law and, as presented, does not impose a sales-tax increase.

Supporters said inventorying existing services and identifying gaps would be necessary before committing funds, and that a portion of revenue directed to treatment could be targeted to programs the committee identifies as high priority. Opponents or alternate viewpoints were not recorded in the briefing excerpted in the transcript.

The committee will meet Thursday at 2 p.m. for discussion and a possible vote; the resolution’s next steps will depend on committee action.