Pierce County approves 0.1% justice sales tax to shore up public-safety funding

Pierce County Council adopted Ordinance O2026-501 on March 3, 2026, authorizing an additional one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) sales and use tax dedicated to criminal justice purposes. The ordinance passed on a 5-2 roll call vote after an extended staff briefing, testimony from law-enforcement and judicial leaders, and more than two hours of public comment.

Finance Director Julie DeMuth framed the ordinance as a response to a widening structural gap in the county general fund. "Public safety and the criminal justice system represent 76% of general fund spending," DeMuth told the council, noting a projected $34 million ongoing structural deficit by 2028 and a projection that the Justice Fund would generate more than $27 million annually by 2027. DeMuth said the proposed 2026–27 investments total roughly $36 million and would prioritize sheriff operations, technology modernization, jail improvements, and improved court capacity.

Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mary Robnett urged passage, saying public safety is the community’s top priority and that the restricted nature of the revenue and oversight requirements make the fund appropriate. "Nothing matters more than public safety," Robnett said.

Sheriff Keith Swank—who said he is "not typically a person that is pro tax"—also endorsed the proposal after describing department needs that include body-worn cameras for the jail, a digital evidence-management system, protective equipment and capital work to renovate aging jail facilities. Swank said hiring and retention incentives funded by the tax would help fill current vacancies (he described roughly 35 corrections and 37 law-enforcement vacancies).

Supporters at the council and during public comment argued the tax is modest and restricted to justice uses, preserving core services without draining reserves. "This nominal sales tax increase will help prevent future cuts and give our law enforcement and criminal justice professionals the tools they need," one supporter said during public testimony.

Opponents raised several concerns: the tax is regressive, it adds to the cumulative local and state tax burden on households, and it creates ties to state-administered grant conditions under House Bill 2015 and the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC). Several speakers and some council members worried about state oversight, compliance risk and whether the county has prioritized existing revenues effectively. "Pierce County doesn't have a revenue problem. It appears to have a spending problem," said a resident during testimony.

The ordinance establishes a Justice and Unified Safety Tax Fund, requires a performance advisory board, public reporting (including a dashboard), and periodic independent audits. Staff told the council Pierce County submitted its HB 2015 application to the Criminal Justice Training Commission on Jan. 21 and expects a certification decision soon; certification is a prerequisite for receiving certain state grant match funds.

On the roll call, the votes recorded were: Ayala — Aye; Yambe — Aye; Denson — Aye; Morrell — Aye; Herrera — No; Kruger — No; Chair Hitchens — Aye. The ordinance was adopted 5–2. The ordinance text sets fund purposes and an oversight structure; the transcript did not specify an exact effective date for the tax in the final reading. Staff said the tax is restricted to criminal-justice purposes and includes required reporting to ensure transparency.

Next steps include final administrative implementation and monitoring by the newly established advisory board; the county will post performance metrics and expenditure details on its Open Pierce County portal as required in the ordinance.