A council resolution that would direct up to 25% of a state‑authorized one‑tenth of one percent sales tax increase to treatment and recovery programs was discussed July 7 and set for consideration in the Governance, Accountability and Economic Development Committee.

The resolution, crafted after months of stakeholder work with service providers and neighborhood business groups, lists treatment and recovery programs the sponsors want prioritized if the revenue source — a potential 0.1% sales tax increase referenced by the mayor in public comments — moves forward.

The sponsor said the list of recommended services is the product of a months‑long stakeholder process involving service providers and business district representatives. The proposal names DESC and Evergreen Treatment Services among organizations that participated in planning; business improvement district leaders were also part of the outreach.

Council member Strauss warned colleagues against proposing new or out‑of‑sequence funding without clear revenue in the current budget process. “Proposing funding out of sequence can set us up for bad situations in the future,” Strauss said, urging consultation with committee chairs and caution about requesting expenditures before the mayor’s proposed budget is finalized.

Council member Rivera said he viewed the resolution as a governance measure that would clarify council priorities if the mayor pursues the sales tax increase. “This is a resolution. Resolutions are not binding, and I do see it as good governance,” Rivera said, adding that the proposal is intended to shape how revenue would be spent if it becomes available.

Sponsor materials presented in committee staff summaries and at a public press briefing emphasize treatment capacity, mobile medication services and recovery‑oriented support, and the sponsor noted prior, smaller council‑funded efforts such as a $300,000 2024 allocation and later funds for a mobile medication van for opioid use disorder.

Some council members said the proposal’s most natural referral points would be Housing and Human Services, Public Safety, or the Select Budget Committee, given its budget implications; the sponsor said those committees were fully booked and governance had capacity to take the item. The sponsor also said neighborhood chambers and business districts supported the resolution and that the proposal reflects a broad coalition.

Council members did not take a binding vote on spending. The Governance, Accountability and Economic Development Committee will discuss the resolution Thursday; the sponsor indicated the committee may consider amendments and a subsequent vote in a later meeting.

What happens next: The proposal will be discussed in Governance on July 10. Council members asked for coordination with the clerk’s office on signature collection procedures and for continued consultation with the mayor’s office and budget staff as the council considers budget implications.