Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Taxation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council asks staff to study 0.1% public-safety sales tax option authorized by HB 2015
Summary
Councilmember Prowse asked the Pasco City Council to explore whether to adopt a 0.1% sales tax increase authorized by HB 2015 to fund police, fire, EMS and justice services; council asked staff for analysis and a possible high-level report by the June 30 budget workshop with mixed council reactions.
Councilmember Prowse asked the Pasco City Council on June 23 to direct staff to analyze HB 2015, a state law that allows cities to adopt a 0.1% sales-tax increase dedicated to police, fire, EMS and justice services. Prowse said the measure would be a new local tool to support public-safety and justice services.
He asked for staff to evaluate eligibility for grants tied to the statute, revenue projections and whether a sales-tax option would help fund dedicated traffic units or additional fire staffing. "HB 2015 passed, and now it allows cities to adopt a point 1% sales tax increase, which would be dedicated to police, safety, fire, EMS, and justice services," Prowse said.
Council discussion was mixed: several councilmembers asked only for a staff-level analysis before any policy commitment; Mayor Pro Tem and other members voiced concern about competitiveness with neighboring cities and the regressive nature of sales taxes. Staff indicated they could provide a high-level analysis, possibly for the June 30 budget workshop. No formal motion to pursue a ballot measure or enact a tax was made; the council requested more information to determine viability.
