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County staff outline law-and-justice tax options and May 1 deadline for ballot resolution
Summary
Cowlitz County staff told commissioners a nonvoted law-and-justice sales-tax would generate about $3.3 million while a voted measure could raise roughly $3.5–$3.6 million but would share revenue 60/40 with cities; staff cited uses allowed under RCW 82.14.345 and urged discussion ahead of a May 1 deadline to place a voted measure on the August ballot.
County staff told commissioners that a local "law-and-justice" sales-tax could provide a new revenue stream to relieve general-fund pressure on public safety, courts and juvenile facilities.
Sean, a county staff member, said a nonvoted version of the tax would yield an estimated $3.3 million a year while a voted measure could bring in about $3.5–$3.6 million annually but would split receipts with cities (60% to the county, 40% to cities). He cited RCW 82.14.345 as the statute describing permissible uses and said proceeds can fund public-safety staffing, training, public defenders under new case standards, behavioral-health co-response teams and facility operations and maintenance.
A commissioner outlined recent general-fund increases driving the discussion: jail medical premiums that rose from roughly $2.38 million (2023) to about $4.1 million (2026), increased risk-pool premiums and higher labor and benefit costs. The board discussed whether voters would approve a new tax; several members said public resistance to taxes and confusion about whether revenues stay local could make a voted measure difficult to pass without strong outreach.
Staff stressed timing constraints: to place a voted measure on the August primary ballot, a signed resolution would be needed by May 1. Commissioners agreed to add the measure to next week's agenda so absent members can participate in the decision.
What happens next: the board will consider placing the matter on the agenda next Tuesday for a decision about whether to pursue a voted or nonvoted approach; if the board selects a voted measure, staff said the resolution must be signed by May 1 to meet election timelines.
