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Mount Vernon adopts 0.1% public-safety sales tax to fund criminal-justice needs
Summary
The council adopted ordinance 39-34 to impose a councilmanic 0.1% sales-and-use tax for criminal-justice/public-safety purposes, citing new state authority; officials said revenue can support public defenders, diversion programs and IOS; the motion passed Jan. 14.
The Mount Vernon City Council on Jan. 14 adopted ordinance 39-34, authorizing a councilmanic 0.1% sales-and-use tax to raise funds for criminal-justice and public-safety purposes under recently enacted state legislation.
City Attorney Kevin Rogers told the council the 2025 legislative session created two new funding options, including a councilmanic tax that does not require a public vote. Rogers explained the ordinance requires the city to attest to certain police training and policy compliance before the Department of Revenue will authorize the tax. He listed permissible uses including law enforcement operations, programs to abate domestic violence, public defenders and diversion courts, and said the IOS program would qualify among eligible public-safety responses.
Councilmembers discussed priorities for the revenue, including public defense following new Washington Supreme Court standards that reduce attorneys' caseloads and require more hires. Councilmember Beaton moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion was seconded and passed. Council discussion reflected a desire to use the new revenue to address increased public-defense obligations and to support community-based alternatives to arrest where appropriate.
The ordinance takes effect as provided by state law and city procedures; the council voted to adopt ordinance 39-34 at the Jan. 14 meeting.
