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Walla Walla County adopts 0.2% emergency-communications sales tax, effective Jan. 1, 2026
Summary
The county commissioners voted unanimously to add a 0.2% sales-and-use tax to fund emergency communications (911) and to codify it in county code under RCW 82.14.420; the tax will be implemented 2026-01-01 and the vote finalizes a measure previously approved by voters.
Walla Walla County commissioners on Monday adopted Ordinance No. 505, imposing an additional 0.2% sales-and-use tax to fund the county—s emergency communications systems and facilities. The board approved the ordinance by unanimous vote, recording the motion as carried 3 to 0.
Commission staff told the board the ordinance implements RCW 82.14.420 and is intended to finalize a tax the public previously approved. "This is the new two tenths of one percent sales tax that was passed by the people, to help fund and operate our dispatch center or 911 as most people know it," a staff presenter said during the discussion.
Commissioners said the adoption is primarily a formality to notify state systems of the new rate and to place the local law on the books. The tax is scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2026, to give the state time to add the rate to its collection and distribution systems.
What happens next: county staff will submit the ordinance language and effective date to the state so the tax can be processed at retail points of sale. The board did not attach additional spending authorizations during Monday—s vote; any allocations from the tax will be subject to future budgetary action and reporting.
Authority and vote: The ordinance references RCW 82.14.420. The motion to adopt Ordinance No. 505 passed by voice vote with three ayes and no nays recorded (motion carries 3 to 0).
