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Mayor to press county on proposed public-safety sales tax and revenue-sharing for cities
Summary
The mayor said the county’s proposed 0.1% public-safety sales tax would raise an estimated $7.5 million, of which about $5 million would be collected in cities but not returned; he plans to meet with county commissioners and other mayors to seek revenue-sharing or an interlocal agreement.
Port Orchard’s mayor raised concerns during the Aug. 11 meeting about a county proposal to add a 0.1% sales tax for public safety that would apply countywide and is expected to generate about $7.5 million, of which the mayor said approximately $5 million would be collected within cities but not shared back with them.
The mayor explained that because cities already fund certain services — for example, municipal court and local prosecution contracts — the county’s proposal could shift burdens to cities while the county retains the bulk of the revenue. He said he would convene a meeting with the three other city mayors and county commissioners to discuss an intergovernmental agreement or revenue-sharing arrangement; he asked council members for support and permission to send a strongly worded letter to the commissioners if negotiations do not yield satisfactory results.
Councilmembers expressed concern that the tax could be an unfunded mandate for cities and discussed whether the city should seek a proportionate carve-out or other compensation. The mayor said the issue will be discussed further in September but that he intended to press the county for a fairer distribution and possible IOA to return a portion of city-generated revenue.
