Cowlitz County weighs 0.2% public-safety sales-tax referral; commissioners debate timing and impact

Commissioner Sean Roe presented a draft resolution and explanatory statement to place a public-safety sales tax on the ballot and told the board the county would need to approve language and put the item on the public agenda by April 28 to meet a May 1 deadline for the voter's pamphlet.

"We would need to review these, get them on the agenda in public, and need to have it approved before May 1," Roe said, and added that the county was proposing two‑tenths of a percent as the county option. Roe explained vehicle sales would be exempt and that collection under the proposal was estimated at about $3.6 million for county collection and about $6 million countywide; he said the county would retain 60% and cities would receive 40% distributed on a per‑capita basis.

Roe told commissioners the county would need people to serve on both a committee "for" and an "against" argument to include statements in the voter's pamphlet. He also contrasted the two‑tenths voted option with a nonvoted one‑tenth alternative (which he linked to House Bill 2015 from 2005), saying the nonvoted option would be limited to certain law‑enforcement programs and would direct funds differently.

Commissioners pressed for details on interactions with cities that already have similar taxes. Roe said Longview, Kelso, and Woodland already collect a voted public‑safety sales tax and that the county's measure would be in addition to any city tax. He also said the county would not take over existing city collections; existing city collections would remain.

Not all commissioners supported referring the measure. The chair (speaker 1) said, "Taxes are a death spiral. Doesn't fix the problem. You're just trying to pay for the problem. I'm not putting that burden on the taxpayer," and stated opposition to placing a tax increase on residents.

Commissioners flagged next steps: finalize draft language, identify volunteers to serve on voters‑pamphlet committees, and consult with city officials. One commissioner said a Longview city manager requested time to discuss the measure and that he would hold the item until that conversation occurs. Roe and staff said the board could return to the topic at its next Monday meeting.

What happens next: The board signaled interest in moving the draft to a public agenda item; staff said it must be placed on the April 28 agenda to meet the pamphlet deadline for a May 1 submission. If the board directs staff to proceed, staff will prepare the voter's‑pamphlet statement and seek community members for the required committees.