Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges Spokane County to adopt 15/90 sales tax to fund housing construction
Summary
A public commenter urged the Spokane County Board of Commissioners to enact a local sales-and-use tax under RCW 82.14.530 (the so‑called 15/90 ordinance) to finance housing construction and services, citing a regional housing shortage and economic impacts.
A community member urged Spokane County commissioners on July 22 to adopt a local sales-and-use tax under RCW 82.14.530 to fund housing construction and related services.
Becky Duckerhoof cited a 2021 white paper presented at a Spokane region housing summit, saying the region underbuilt roughly 32,000 housing units between 2010 and 2019 and that the area has seen a 66.8% rise in median home prices since 2015. She recommended the county enact the tax that allows a legislative authority to impose a sales‑and‑use tax not to exceed one‑tenth of 1 percent, with at least 60% of revenues used for housing construction and the balance for operations and services.
Duckerhoof referenced RCW 82.14.530 by number and described the local funding mechanism commonly called the 15/90 tax: “This ordinance, which amended RCW 82.14.530, allows the county legislative authority to impose a sales and use tax not to exceed 1 tenth of 1%... At least 60% of that money must be used for the construction of housing and related services,” she said.
The comment framed the proposal as a response to rising prices, low inventory and population growth projected through 2030; Duckerhoof also noted migration from larger West Coast markets and cross‑border construction activity in Idaho. Her remarks were offered during the meeting’s open public forum; commissioners did not take formal action on the proposal during the session.
