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Covington council adopts 0.1% criminal-justice sales tax under HB 2015; city estimates roughly $725,000 a year
Summary
The City Council adopted an ordinance implementing HB 2015 to impose a 0.1% sales-and-use tax for criminal-justice purposes starting July 1, 2026 if adopted by April 16; staff estimated revenue at about $725,000 annually and said the funds are restricted and require annual reporting.
The Covington City Council voted March 10 to adopt an ordinance authorizing the House Bill 2015 criminal-justice sales-and-use tax of one-tenth of 1%.
City staff member Casey summarized the measure and its eligibility requirements, telling the council the city qualifies for the related grant program through its contract with King County and the state criminal-justice training commission. "This proposed ordinance would impose the point 1% sales and use tax to support criminal justice programs and services," Casey said, and he estimated that the tax "will generate approximately $725,000 annually per year." He said the tax would take effect July 1, 2026 if the council acts by April 16, 2026 and that the city would receive its first distribution in September 2026 because of the two-month distribution lag.
Casey emphasized that proceeds are restricted to statutorily defined criminal-justice purposes and that the city must annually report expenditures to the Association of Washington Cities. Council members who spoke in support cited rising public-safety costs and said the restricted nature of the revenue makes it appropriate. Council moved and seconded the ordinance and approved it by voice vote; no opposed votes were recorded in the transcript.
The ordinance authorizes the tax and directs staff to pursue eligible grant opportunities; council and staff said they will coordinate with King County and community partners as they assemble any grant application.
Next steps: staff will work with county partners to submit grant applications (where required) and incorporate the new revenue into upcoming budget decisions.
