Tacoma: City Council Approves 0.1% Criminal Justice Sales & Use Tax to Enhance Community Safety and Support Vital Services
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~ The Tacoma City Council has recently approved a new sales and use tax, known as the Criminal Justice Sales & Use Tax, in an effort to enhance community safety and support vital services. This tax, also referred to as the Public Safety Sales Tax, will provide a stable and dedicated revenue stream for these purposes without solely relying on the General Fund.

According to city officials, the revenue generated from this tax will be used for various purposes including holistic public safety measures. This means that the funds can be used for a modern and balanced approach to safety. More details on what exactly the funding can be used for can be found on the city's website.

One of the main benefits of this tax is that it will prevent service cuts in essential safety services. With a projected budget deficit, these funds will help maintain 911 response times and neighborhood patrols. Additionally, it will provide resources for specialized response teams such as mental health professionals for crisis intervention. This will allow police officers to focus on more serious crimes.

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Moreover, implementing this tax also makes the city eligible for state-level grants specifically designed to help cities hire and retain officers and co-responders. By meeting regulatory requirements, Tacoma remains competitive for these grants under HB 2015.

The estimated annual revenue from this tax is between $7-$7.5 million. Starting April 1st of next year, Tacoma's sales tax rate will increase from 10.3 percent to 10.4 percent. For consumers, this means an additional 10 cents on every $100 purchase.

More information about this new tax can be found on the City's website. The City Council hopes that this funding mechanism will not only improve community safety but also ensure financial stability for essential services in Tacoma.

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