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Duval council approves 0.1% public-safety sales tax to help cover school resource officer
Summary
The Duval City Council voted to adopt a 0.1% public-safety sales-and-use tax allowed under ESHB 2015. Council intends proceeds to support criminal-justice/public-safety uses, including funding to sustain the school resource officer while the city negotiates longer-term cost‑sharing.
The Duval City Council on Oct. 7 voted to adopt a 0.1% sales-and-use tax authorized by state law for criminal-justice purposes, a measure staff said will allow the city to pursue stable funding for public‑safety needs including the school resource officer program.
City Administrator Strader McNabb and police leadership briefed council on the statutory requirements in ESHB 2015 and the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) process for certification and for applying for associated grants. McNabb said the CJTC portal recently opened and staff were prepared to submit required documentation if the ordinance passed, which would allow the city to begin collecting revenue at the start of the calendar year if the Department of Revenue is notified within the current timing window.
Council members debated the best use of any proceeds and whether the city should commit the revenue to pay for the school resource officer (SRO). Several council members said they value the SRO program and noted that the voter-approved levy that previously funded the SRO expires at the end of 2025. Council member Napland said he was concerned about adding a tax while residents face a tight economy; others urged the council to pursue the tax as a way to stabilize general-fund services that rely heavily on local revenues.
After discussion, the council approved the ordinance by roll-call vote and directed staff to submit the city’s materials to CJTC and the Department of Revenue as appropriate. The ordinance authorizes imposition of the 0.1% sales-and-use tax to be used for criminal-justice/public-safety purposes. McNabb said the city would continue discussions with the Riverview School District about cost-sharing for the SRO and described the SRO suggestion in the agenda packet as a staff-proposed use rather than a binding commitment integrated into the ordinance.
Council vote (roll call): Mayor Patan Mercer — Aye; Council member Olin — Aye; Council member Schaeffer — Aye; Council member McHenry — Aye; Council member Supple — Aye; Council member Napland — No; Council member Kufeld — Aye. Outcome: ordinance adopted.
