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Spokane County commissioners renew 0.1% sales tax for juvenile detention and jail services through 2035
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance to renew a one‑tenth of one percent sales and use tax to fund operation and maintenance of juvenile detention facilities and jails from Jan. 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2035, reflecting voter approval in the Nov. 5, 2024 election.
The Spokane County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance implementing a voter‑approved renewal of a one‑tenth of one percent sales and use tax to support juvenile detention facilities and jails. The tax will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and terminate Dec. 31, 2035.
County legal counsel explained the ordinance is required to implement the voters’ decision approving the tax renewal at the Nov. 5, 2024 general election. Counsel said the proposition carried by roughly 65% of voters, with 180,310 votes in favor and 95,943 opposed, and that the ballot language deliberately excluded design, acquisition and construction of detention facilities.
The counsel described the revenue as being collected by the state and returned to the county after a small administrative deduction. Commissioner French thanked voters for approving the renewal by a significant margin and said commissioners and staff would work to ensure the funds are spent effectively on juvenile programming and facility needs.
No members of the public testified on the item during the public hearing. A motion to approve the ordinance as presented by staff passed unanimously.
The renewal continues a long‑standing local funding mechanism; the county has placed the question before voters multiple times and has historically included a sunset clause to return the matter to voters at the end of each 10‑year term.
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