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Battle Ground considers 20 mph neighborhood limit, camera enforcement and a 0.1% public-safety sales tax to fund new officers
Summary
Council considered two sign-based approaches for 20-mph neighborhood limits, reviewed police collision and speed-stop data concentrated on Main Street, and directed staff to research red-light/speed-camera eligibility and costs.
Traffic safety and public-safety funding were major items in the Sept. 15 council meeting.
Speed limits and signing options
Public Works staff presented two approaches to implementing a 20-mph neighborhood limit: (1) install about 195 signs at subdivision entrances (estimated ~$30,000) to mark individual neighborhoods, or (2) adopt a citywide "20 mph unless otherwise posted" scheme with about 33 signs (estimated ~$10,000) placed at city entry points. Staff warned WSDOT permission may be required for state highways and said each option has trade-offs between cost and potential signage confusion.
Police data and possible automated enforcement
Chief Flynn presented a 12-month traffic dataset showing 187 collisions and concentrated speeding enforcement activity along Main Street, especially in the high-school corridor. Intersection analyses identified 502 & 503 and Main & 20th as collision hotspots; at some intersections failure-to-yield/stop accounted for a large share of collisions, while elsewhere distracted driving and other factors predominated. The chief said red-light cameras and speed cameras reduced collisions in other jurisdictions and recommended staff study eligibility and legal requirements for camera enforcement in Battle Ground.
Council direction
Council directed staff to return with more detailed before/after comparisons for speed-limit changes, legislative changes governing camera use, cost estimates for camera programs, leasing vs. purchase options, and the statutory requirements to place cameras on state highways. Chief Flynn noted additional staff time will be needed to review automated citations.
Public-safety sales tax and recruiting
Deputy Mayor Bowman urged moving forward on a 0.1% public-safety sales tax to fund additional police officers (estimated revenue ~$650,000/year) and to begin planning recruitment so the city can compete with other jurisdictions seeking grant funding and hires. Council debated grant eligibility (CJTC and similar programs) and timing: council directed staff to prepare a draft ordinance, explain how hiring before collection would affect grant eligibility, and provide costs and timelines so council can decide whether to set the public hearing and proceed.
What happens next: staff will return with ordinance language, camera-eligibility research, cost estimates, and a staffing/recruitment plan tied to potential grant opportunities.
