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Residents urge caution on proposed sales-tax increase; Pierce Conservation District encourages voting
Summary
At the Jan. 27 community forum, residents voiced opposition to a proposed one‑tenth of 1% sales-tax increase and urged fiscal review; Pierce Conservation District Executive Director Dana Coggan asked residents to request ballots and announced a Feb. 7 open house.
During community forum at the Jan. 27 Pierce County Council meeting, several members of the public urged the council to reconsider or delay a proposed local sales-tax increase and emphasized the need for fiscal scrutiny.
Ken Paulson told the council he opposes raising sales taxes now, saying the cumulative tax burden makes it difficult for younger residents to live in Pierce County: “I think government should institute [efficiency] first before asking money from us citizens,” he told the chair. A second speaker reiterated opposition and cited state surplus accounts (citing RCW 43.84.092) as a possible alternative source of funds instead of a new tax.
Trayvon Dunmar, who identified himself as a PCO and research initiative director focused on intersections of gun violence, housing insecurity and systemic racism, urged the council to create more avenues for meaningful constituent engagement. He asked the council to provide roles for impacted communities in addressing issues including the detention center and ICE-related matters.
Dana Coggan, executive director of the Pierce Conservation District, urged residents to participate in conservation-district elections and explained how to request ballots. Coggan said four candidates were running for one seat and announced an open house in Puyallup on Feb. 7 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. She added that ballots were mailed at the end of last week, noted that today was the mail-request deadline, and said in-person pickup would be available through Feb. 27.
Laura Lee also spoke during the forum, thanking the council and saying recent changes at the county level had helped her family access reproductive and mental health care.
The council did not take final action on the tax matter during the meeting; members directed staff to follow the usual public-notice and referral processes for items that proceed to formal consideration.
