The Pierce County Council approved a new 0.1% public safety sales tax in a 5-2 vote Tuesday evening, adding around $27 million to the county’s annual budget to prevent cuts to law enforcement and court services.
“To balance the budget we are in right now, I had to use $34 million from our rainy day piggy bank, in order to just balance our budget to keep the status quo of our services,” said Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello. Mello and other county leaders, including Sheriff Keith Swank and Prosecuting Attorney Mary Robnett, wrote a letter to the council earlier this year warning of service cuts if the public safety tax was not adopted.
“While this doesn’t cover all the needs of our departments, it will prevent cuts to the important new investments we just approved and maintain progress in staffing,” the letter stated. According to the county, the funding will be used to hire and retain sheriff’s deputies as well as pay for equipment upgrades, including body-worn cameras and evidence management technology. The prosecutor’s office, public defenders, and courts would also see some of the money.
Opponents who spoke at Tuesday’s council meeting said the county poorly manages current funding and could prioritize public safety. “This tax tonight is a catch-all for back-filling years of prolific government spending,” Pierce County councilmember Amy Cruver said. “Passing this tax merely covers irresponsible spending habits, a temporary illusion.” Cruver, along with councilmember Paul Herrera, was the only no-vote on the council.
The sales tax increase will add roughly 10 cents to every $100 spent in Pierce County, generating the funding local leaders say is necessary to maintain current service levels and avoid staffing cuts in law enforcement agencies already struggling with retention and recruitment.
