Spokane: Mayor Brown Proposes "One-Tenth of 1 Percent for Community Safety"
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~ Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown has announced her proposal to introduce a Community Safety Sales Tax on the upcoming November ballot. The proposal, which was revealed on Monday, aims to generate an estimated $7.7 million annually through a one-tenth of one percent sales tax.

According to the proposal, 15% of the funds collected will be allocated to Spokane County, while the remaining $6.5 million will be dedicated to enhancing community safety measures within the city. This includes replacing outdated vehicles and equipment for Spokane Fire, re-launching the Neighborhood Resource Officer program and establishing a traffic safety unit for Spokane Police, and developing critical safety plans and expanding community resilience efforts.

The proposed sales tax is expected to cost the average Spokane homeowner approximately $1 for every $1,000 they spend. However, necessities such as food and prescription drugs will be exempted from this tax.

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Mayor Brown's proposal comes as she directs the city to make significant expenditure cuts in order to address the structural budget inherited by her administration. This new approach aims to balance these cuts with key investments in community safety.

In a statement, Mayor Brown explained that after considering feedback from the community, her administration recognized that their initial levy proposal placed too much financial burden on residents. She believes that this new approach strikes a balance between addressing budget deficits and meeting the community's demands for safety investments.

The City of Spokane is also taking steps to ensure efficient use of resources by making significant cuts in expenses. Chief Financial Officer Matt Boston stated that while this may delay stabilizing the budget, it is a balanced approach that reflects their commitment to both fiscal responsibility and community safety.

If approved by voters in November, this sales tax will not only help address budget deficits but also provide much-needed funding for crucial community safety enhancements.

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